Landscaping Ideas For Long House

by JV
(Deltona, Florida)

Front Landscaping Ideas

I have a long front to my home. It is a gorgeous new stucco "Florida" type home... but the landscape bed out front is soooooo long, with such lack of character due to its plain rectangular shape... I just don't know what to plant in it. It has three double windows as a back drop, with a high small window (bathroom shower).

In front of the windows I planted Viburnum bushes for a nice dark green back drop.... and at the end of the bed and in front of the bathroom window I put a couple of the triple trunk robellini palms... but I still have soooo much area left over with nothing.... and to make it worse, the previous owner filled the area with lava rock. The area is 48 feet long and 10 feet wide. My house is the backdrop, and a long concrete sidewalk is in front of it. I hate to just fill the whole area up with Indian Hawthorne... but I will if need be.... I wanted some variety in height.... High in back, medium in middle, and low in front.... I have 4 Birds of Paradise near the front door that I planted as well - but I don't think they are correctly located for a good landscape design... they look like they should be an accent plant somewhere, and maybe something lower at the front doors.... PLEASE HELP!!!!! I live in Central Florida, so its Zone 9..... I would like a couple suggestions on where to place some plants, like a blueprint showing High, Medium, Low, tall accent, etc.... I know the local plants real well (especially the low maintenance ones) and I can figure out the plants to go in there, if someone would just give me a design on where to install them.

Perennials In Front Of Mature Shrubs

by Anne
(RI)

Our house is 15 years old. We have mature shrubs in front and I would like to add perennials and get in some good color. The shrubs are nearly 36" tall. Can I put in a row/border of 18 and or 12" perennials?

ANSWER

Hi Anne,
Yes, However, what I would do is create groups of different complimentary perennials, rather than planting them straight in a row (if that's what you meant). For example, you might add three Lavender Hidcote staggered like a triangle, and then next to them add three to five Fountain Grass 'Hamelin', also staggered.

This will create more interest rather than a straight row. Vary the textures and the heights of the groups. And don't be afraid to add in a single tall one here and there.

Also, if your existing shrubs are 36" high, consider using some taller perennials 24" to 30" in height also. Perhaps some tall Day Lilies. Is your bed wide? If so, you could even add in one of the smaller Butterfly Bushes.


Susan

Landscape Brick Home with White Siding Addition...

(TN, USA)

Landscaping Front of House

We recently remodeled our "new" home that has been in the family for almost 30yrs. The addition we had built has white siding. The older part of the home is a burnt orangish/red brick. Our main goal is to even out the housing colors with our landscaping decisions.

I have done lots of research on the net and would love your opinion/advice.

I am wanting to build a gray retainer stone flower bed(almost even with porch height) between the windows on the brick side (for a Jesus and children statue, Christmas/Lenton roses etc.)and use a pyracatha vine (?) on white lattice behind it.

On the solid white siding part, I had in mind to put a dappled willow tree (Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki') to add all seasons color there (branches turn red in winter).

These are my main problem areas...just second guessing if it's going to look right... It is southwestern facing with midday/evening sun- only early morning shade. I am planning on using China boy and girl hollies (in front of window areas), forsythias (each side of steps & keep trimmed), and lilyturf lirope among other seasonal perennials/annuals to add color where needed, and sky pencil hollies on each corner.

I am planning on using bridal wreath spirea on the southern end of the house and forsyhtia behind redtwig dogwoods on the northern end of the house. I am very satisfied with the "end of the house" decisions, but I am really stressing over the the front landscaping... after all it IS the front. I hope I have been descriptive enough. Any input from you would be very appreciated!

ANSWER

Hi,
Well, I can see you have spent a lot of time thinking about your landscape design! Your concepts are good...however, here are some suggestions.

1.Love the China Girls and Boys under the windows. Use only one boy because that one will not berry and that is all you will need.

2. Forsythia might be too large for either side of the steps. Try to use something smaller, or tall and narrow. Nandina (tall variety) gets great berries and is an example, as it stays narrow.

3. I think it's too hot for Liriope. Use some sun loving perennials...see some here:
http://www.landscape-design-advice.com/perennial-flowers.html

4. As for the corners, I understand your going for some height. However, I think you can go even taller and wider to create more drama. Consider an ornamental tree and/or evergreen, pulled out from the corner to allow for growth. A River Birch, Foster Holly, Cryptomeria, Dogwood...any would work at the house corners and they do not have to match.

The only other recommendation is regarding the Forsythia and Red Twig Dogwood. Red Twig Dogwood look gorgeous with evergreen shrubs behind them...their red branches really stand out this way in the winter.

Good luck...you are on the right track!

Susan

Need curb appeal !! Help!!!

Landscape Design For Small House | Tin Roof

This is a rental house of mine. We put a new tin roof on last summer. Two big trees had to be cut down because they were getting into the power lines. It just looks so plain and need some help. It is very close to the road and not a lot of room. We have such a good renter and would like to make it look better for her and us. Any ideas? Thank you!

Help With Planting Beds Near House Entry

by Amy
(Central Iowa)

My house, built in 1896 is a mix between prairie style and victorian. The entrance faces south and is offset from the center and flanked by a large covered porch. On the opposite side of the porch I have a landscaping dilemma. I need new bushes or perennials, the spirea just aren't cutting it. I want something that will accent the entrance but not detract. The location is southward but light is filtered by a large Black Walnut tree. I have also heard that certain plants cannot thrive near a Black Walnut due to a particular chemical they leech into the ground? Our zone is 4b.

Front Yard Foundation Plants

by Tarsha
(Joliet, IL USA)

I have a recently built home in Illinois and now I'm in the process of transforming my front yard. I would really love to have some Boxwoods planted in front of my windows and in front of the windows of my garage.

I just need someone's opinion on what other plants or shrubs would complement those shrubs. I really would like to have maybe a Japanese Maple somewhere and some Spireas.... just not sure as to where to place them or if they would contrast together.

Also, I just received my shutters. The color is similar to the stones used for the retaining wall..I'm clueless when it comes to plant selections.

Small House Needs Front Landscape Help!

by Gina
(Pittsburgh, PA)

I want to have more curb appeal for my house, which is a small ranch. I would like some color throughout the 4 seasons since i live in PA. Right now it looks so sad in the winter!

Also, I really want to hide the ugly red concrete block foundation that sticks out since my house is on a hill. Do you have any ideas for this? I am a new home owner and a little clueless on plants! Last year I planted a butterfly bush and blue hydrangea, which are in the picture in front of the window. Can you give me some idea on what to plant with them or should I just start over and move them? The front of the house gets afternoon sun and shade in the morning. We do have some deer in the area. Thanks!

ANSWER

Hi Gina,
Thanks for the picture and your sun conditions.

Your house looks sad in the winter because the Butterfly Bush dies down and the Hydrangea have no winter leaves. You need some evergreen shrubs as a background.

Consider using Blue Holly 'China Girl' along your foundation. You may have to do some spraying for deer, but it's a great plant. They are evergreen and will get red berries in the winter. Add in a China Boy so that the females will get the berries.

I would definitely add a tree at the left corner (looking at the house from the street). Something narrow like a White Birch or a River Birch would look nice.

I would move the Butterfly bush to the area in front of the Hollies on the right side. I would also move the Hydrangea elsewhere because most likely they will be too tall to look well in front of the Hollies. But I would add lots of perennials as another layer in front of the Hollies. Actually you can add perennials wherever you have room. Just make sure they like the sun. Catmint 'Walker's Low' is one of my favorites and also Lavender 'Hidcote'.

And how about some roses? The Fairy, Carefree Wonder, and Carefree Delight are low maintenance. You could add some to the area closer to the street on the right side, where it looks like you have some other plants (if you have the room).

I hope this was helpful. If you have further questions, just post them here under Comments.

Susan

Plant In Front of a Porch

What To Plant In Front of a Porch

I have a small raised ranch. Part of the basement sticks out of the ground and the house is on a slight incline. So we added a large covered porch last year, but now it appears to really stick up high off the ground. From bottom board to ground is 36".

Trying to figure out what kind of material to cover the opening under the porch with - we have temporary lattice now, but want to cover the area, then add retaining walls to make planting areas. Any ideas? There is a red brick chimney on the side of the house - trying not to clash with it.

Answer

Hi Donna,
What a cute house! I can see that it could look very charming with the right plants in front of the lattice.

Once it is done, you may not even want any retaining wall...unless it is a small, decorative free standing wall.

For me to give you some ideas, please let me know the following:

1. Is the area sunny or shady...or a combination?
2. Do you have deer problem?
3. Where do you live?

You can post your answers right here under the Comments section below...just click on Comments.

Thanks,
Susan

Changing Landscaping For Front Porch

by Brian Smith
(Wilmington, DE)

Front Porch Plantings

I have a Colonial with a front porch running the length of the house, ending at the garage. We are looking to remove the large square bushes that were in front of the house when we moved in, add railing to the front of the porch and re-landscape the area in front of the porch, including moving the walkway out a few feet and curving it to the driveway.

I am seeking some advice/ideas on what to plant in this area. We are leaning towards smaller Boxwood or similar hedges for the back of the beds along the porch and a dwarf Japanese Red Maple on the left corner past the porch. But past that, I am somewhat unsure what to do.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Low Maintenance Plants for Front Foundation Planting?

by Gwen
(Virginia)

Hello,
I was wondering, in your opinion, what are some low maintenance shrubs that I can use for the front of my house? Blooms are not important. The house is located in Williamsburg, Va. There isn't a deer problem at present. However I don't wish to 'attract' them either. The area is sunny. Thanks so much for your advice!

Front Yard Landscaping

by Julie
(Illinois)

I am working on re-doing the landscape in our front yard. I have a ranch style red brick home.
Our front small porch is a concrete stoop with a side step. It has a wrought iron railing around it that is rusting away and parts of it are broken off.

I was thinking of taking the railings down and building a small deck (little larger than the stoop) to cover up the stoop. Keep in mind that the wrought iron railings are cemented in the concrete stoop.

I want to do the least expensive thing but at the same time make it look nice.

Any suggestions?

Tree Options for Front Corner of House

by Nick
(Cincinnati, OH)

We have been in our home for 11 years and planted a River Birch at the front corner of our home within the confines of the mulch bed. Last Fall we had it removed because it simply had overgrown into the house, the roof and some pine trees that sit on the front side of the house in the lawn area. We are now trying to decide what tree to put in its place. One option is to go with a River Birch again - we have 11 years before it would need replacing again. We prefer not to go this route and prefer not to use an evergeen since there are 3 already in the side yard. Any suggestions to steer us in the right direction?

Thank you.

Foundation Plants

by Donna Todd
(Milledgeville, Georgia)

My husband and I have cleared our flower beds of holly bushes and some other kind of shrub that we were not happy with. We have looked at several different plants, flowers, shrubs, etc. and have decided that we want something that blooms and will provide some color to the front of our house (see attached picture). We've decided to use red azaleas and rhododendrons (color undecided) but are lost as to what else to use for it to still look pretty. What do you suggest?

What to plant in front of my boxwoods?

by Nancy

I have a front porch and boxwoods in front of the porch railing. I have an empty area in front of the boxwoods that I would like to plant something. I just don't know what that 'something' is? Any suggestions?

ANSWER

Hi Nancy,
If you could give me a bit more information, I'll try to give you some ideas.
1. Is the area sunny or shady?
2. Do you have a deer problem?
3. Do you just want to plant one layer of plants in front of the Boxwood, or do you want to make it wide and have a third layer?
4. Where do you live or what zone are you in?
5. Would you like perennials for color, or do you want to stay all evergreen?

Thanks,
Susan