Adding more pop to the front landscaping

by Peggy
(Upper Sandusky, OH)

Farm house in need of front landscaping

I bought this 100+ yr old farm house. When I bought it there was nothing for landscaping other than white marble rocks around the parameter of the house. I dug all those up and had 40 tons of topsoil delivered.

I now have flower beds (about 3' deep) around the house but it just doesn't do enough for the front. I would really like to increase the size of the beds and add some dimension to it.

Normally I know the corner has a larger tree to anchor it - but my problem is that is where the satellite dish is installed, so I can't have anything that will be over 3' there. Also the front door is rarely ever used, but thought about building a larger 'porch' area to be able to add a rocking chair or something to give interest. I live in NW Ohio.

Also you can't see by the photos but there are 2 very large maple trees in front of the house - and its south facing so the beds get a full days worth of sun. Any ideas would be helpful as I plan to sell in a couple years and really want to give the house more curb appeal. Thank you!

ANSWER

I agree, that your front landscaping needs more "stuff" or "bulk.

I can't quite see where your satellite dish is, but trees make a big difference. If you could place a tree near the corners, out of the way of the dish, that would help tremendously. Could you send another picture? Just start a new question with mention of this post.

Place ornamental trees at all of your house corners if posible. Birch trees are a good choice, anywhere from one alone or three together. Dogwoods, Japanese Red Maples, and Purple Leaf Plums are good ones too and they will add color to your neutral colored house.

I would add evergreen shrubs to the planting beds as the first layer against the house. Boxwood 'Green Velvet' or Blue Holly 'China Girl' would work. Then add a layer of shrubs in front of these, such as Juniper or others, and finally a layer of perennials in front for textured interest and color.

The evergreen shrubs should be in groups. For example, under the larger window to the left, you could use all Boxwood.

Perhaps a Lilac at the corner of the steps would add additional interest. Make the beds curvilinear. If you need me to draw it up for you, let me know through the Contact Me page!

Susan