What to do with landscaping when front porch and ground meet?

by Amy
(east Tennessee)

We have an empty slate here and I have no idea what to do. Please help.

Our 3'wide front porch meets the ground all the way across the front of the house. I'll appreciate so very much any suggestions! We're in Tennessee, zone 6. Thanks!



ANSWER

Hi Amy,
Thanks for the picture, but I can't quite make out the area. Does your walkway meet the porch without any land in between?

Depending on what is going on, you can address this in different ways to make it successful and interesting. If there is space to plant we'll have to see how wide it is. If there is no space, you'll have to work with plants on your porch. You would also plant in front of the walkway on the left side, etc. I also see a possible planting area on the right side.

I am sending you an email so that you can send me photo(s) of this area and also the right and left corner areas.

Thanks,
Susan

NEED IDEAS FOR FRONT OF HOUSE / PORCH

by Jason
(maryland)

Title says it all! I built this house myself and I need help with shrubs and accents to plant and put in front of the porch .

I live in Maryland zone 7 and the house faces East and is 40‘ across the front. I like shrubs and plants somewhat natural , and don’t want any plants or shrubs to be too tall. I would like the plants and shrubs to stay below the porch spindles around 3‘-5’. My soil is sandy and drains quickly. My house is in the middle of a 2 acre lot with of with only a ½ acre that is cleared, lots of trees. Thank You, Jason
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ANSWER

Hi Jason,
Regarding ideas for front of house & porch...
It's difficult to explain and provide a layout with words. This can much more easily be done by way of a drawing.

That be said, let me give you some concept ideas, along with some plant suggestions.

I would use the same shrubs along the railing for continuity. The space is not that long (without the steps which are nice and wide!) A different variety(s) could be used on the left side of the house as you go towards the back yard.

I would also use some landscape trees at the corners. This will add height and frame your lovely home. They must be pulled away far enough to allow for their mature width. Some trees you could consider are River Birch, Flowering Dogwood or even Cryptomeria which is an evergreen tree, but one of the more narrow ones. A small ornamental tree or large shrub can also be used to the left of the steps.

For the background shrub, Boxwood 'Green Velvet' is a nice choice and it won't get over three feet max. There are others to choose from.

So far sounds pretty boring, right? We have to now add some interest!

In front of the evergreen shrubs, you can add another layer of shrubs, a layer of perennials, or a combination of the two. The perennials should be chosen so that they provide color throughout the season. Heights should be varied as should textures of the various plants.

I would make the beds very curvilinear with sweeping curves, possibly even bringing the bed slightly around the right side of the walk. Plants can possibly be added at the right side of the walk where it begins at the driveway.

I hope this was helpful. You can always get in touch with me with further questions.

Susan

Landscape Idea For Area In Front Of A Porch

I need a landscape idea for the area in front of my porch.

I have a medium size square area in front of my front porch it is about 10 feet by 8 feet. It is between the driveway and the front porch. It is sunny and we live in Cleveland, Ohio. I need some ideas on what to do with this space. Right now it is a mess of old shrubs. I do have 2 new hydrangea that were planted in the wrong spot that I plan to move and include in new design.

ANSWER

If you could send me a picture, that would be helpful.

Without seeing the area, I can only provide some general landscape ideas.

Place some evergreen shrubs in the background and use all the same variety. Boxwood 'Green Velvet' or Blue Holly 'China Girl' would be two suggestions. Neither will get too large.

In front of these create a low maintenance perennial garden. Some sun loving perennials to consider are Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Lavender 'Hidcote', and Coneflower (lots of varieties - any will work).

Use lots of a variety...minimum of 3 to five of one kind so you will get a big splash of color. You can also add something taller. I like Butterfly Bush...one of the shorter varieties.
You can also add a garden ornament, such as a sculpture, urn or even a fountain.

Hydrangea typically don't like full sun. You might be better off finding a place for the Hydrangea which gets partial shade.