Sprucing up a boring courtyard with no curb appeal
Desert Design
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
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Desert Design
11 months agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
11 months agoRelated Discussions
Help needed to spruce up Curb Appeal!!
Comments (10)I travel to the UK yearly and have experienced many gardens there. The English Garden has evolved dramatically over time, incorporating influences from numerous extraordinary designers and styles. This means very different concepts to different people. It may be that your idea of the English Garden is that of the cottage gardens, filled with exuberant (or subtle) combinations of perennials, shrubs and trees. The public Gardens, such as those found in St. James and Hyde Park reflect this style. These gardens tend to require significant horticultural knowledge and time to maintain in order to keep them looking their best. However, that does not mean it is impossible to create the likeness of that style with reduced knowledge and maintenance. I would love to help you think through the possibilities for creating an “English Garden” for your front yard. However, if is difficult to see what dimensions you are working with. Some broader pictures from different angles would be helpful. I will try to post some appropriate pictures tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone...See MoreHelp! Front Yard: Courtyard for Privacy & Curb Appeal
Comments (9)I'd begin by removing hedges next to the house. Remove the mis managed topiary. They have been poorly sheared and some lean. The thin trunk trees near the foundation need to be removed. Major trees need limbed up and maybe thinned. This is the most important step, in my opinion. I am not a pro. I'd remove the shrub near the mail box. I would also transplant the grass like plants near the street. Not sure where you can use them. The bed along the foundation does not seem deep enough for shrubs. Can you tell us how deep it is? Your house has nice brick and interesting low windows. I don't think it will need an elaborate landscape. How would you feel about something less complicated? A courtyard would have to be part of your overall new landscape design....See MoreSpruce up our PNW house for curb appeal
Comments (13)The number one issue is the overgrown shrub on the right. Trim it way, way back. Then post a picture so we can actually see the house. The other thing that jumps out at me is the jumble of stuff at the right-hand side of the driveway. I can't really tell what's there - a hose caddy, a small pot, some pieces of lumber, a few rocks? Clear all of it away and then place ONE BIG pot there with a green plant/plants in it. It doesn't have to be a round pot; you could do a square or rectangle one if you think it would fit better....See Moreboring backyard help and front needs some curb appeal
Comments (11)You need to think of everything you have ever wanted in your yard, even if you can't afford to do it all right now. Also, how you usually use your yard. You did not say if you have or plan to have children. Then draw out a plan on paper of how it would look. Very simple but it must be to scale. It is easy to do on grid paper. You can use symbols to indicate trees and shrubs and such. You do not need to be a good artist. I do have a few thoughts about your front and back yards. For the back yard I would add two trees for privacy. I would want ever green, including broad leaf trees. You may not want privacy in the winter and might what deciduous trees. I would also want trees that do not get extremely tall. That is a personal preference because I do not like huge trees in urban areas, unless it is in a park. For the front yard I would keep it simple and plant a hedge on each side of the steps. I would place it equal to the beginning of the steps or perhaps a foot forward. I would use evergreen plants. I cannot recommend plants as I do not know your area. It does not need to be a sheared hedge. This what I mean by a non sheared hedge. Too tall for your use but an example of what I mean. I would grow nothing behind the hedge. I would heavily mulch, maybe with straw. I would also have a bed for either perennials or annuals in front of the hedge. It would be nice if you could have a small tree like plant on the right side of the yard. I don't know if it is feasible as I don't know where the lot line is and I can see overhead wires. It could be something like a lilac trimmed into tree shape. I did not try to draw it. Some people like plants at the corner of their house. I don't think it is needed and would be careful because of the driveway but I show one anyway. You could have one on both sides if you like. Lastly I see another area in need of privacy. Again for the purpose of blocking windows I would have a tall hedge in this area. If it is something that blooms in summer it would be nice for the scent near the deck. Your yard looks large and it would be quite expensive to buy enough plants if you fill it in this year. I don't expect you to do that but you need to plan what you want for the future....See MoreDesert Design
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