Ugly curb appeal - how to design a front landscape

by Tanya
(Toronto, ON Canada)

Hello! I am a rookie gardener and have had a lot of fun in my backyard with reasonable success, but now is time to tackle the curb appeal and I truly have the ugliest house in the world!
(on the outside anyway :)

I am at a LOSS as to what to do. I would like to create a seating area in the front to chat with the neighbors and enjoy the morning sun but need access to the back on both sides. We are building a new retaining wall this year and have had the windows replaced and painted the door red. There is a new tree that the city planted that is a baby red oak and it is centered on the left hand side window (looking at the house not the street)in the middle of the yard (I was not home when it was planted obviously).
ANY help is appreciated.
Thanks
Tanya

ANSWER

I like your house! It's adorable and I could see that it could be very charming with the right landscaping.

It's hard to see everything in the photo (although the picture is helpful). I would say to create a walkway leading to the front door (from the left - there appears to be a walkway there...or do you want to start it from the street?), but don't start it too close to the house. This will allow you to add a sitting area in front of the door. I can see a square or rectangle area with a bench to the right.

From here, you can add a small pathway around the right side of your house. From where the walk is on the left side, I would continue this with a path along the left side leading to the back. These paths are secondary and should be narrower in width.

I guess you don't like the tree that was planted and of course I can't see it, but it's positioning sounds nice to me. Perhaps add a tall shrub on the right house corner for somewhat of a balance.

Along the front of the house I would plant some evergreen shrubs, and in front of them I would go wild with perennials!! A cottage look would be perfect! It will give the house charm and lots of texture and color.

Look at these pages.

Perennial Flowers

Evergreen Shrubs Book

If you need more help, please let me know.

Susan