So, I decided to do some DIY landscaping for my house. I think it came out ok (lmk if you disagree honestly) but now I'm not entirely sure how to proceed.
There are a few things I DO know what I want to do: 1. Put a big rock engraved with our address in the area closest to the front with lighting on the rock and surrounded by flowers. 2. Put a tree by the area closest to the corner of my house. 3. Either put a pair of shrubs under the window and/or put an arbor vitae at the back corner of the porch
Beyond that, I'm totally lost. Just looking for any advice at all on what to do in the areas between really, or just overall design advice in general. All input is greatly appreciated!
by ItsHayZ00SE
24 Comments
Cap the wall before you move on.
Look at pintrest.
I wouldn’t do a tree so close to my window, blocking potential view from both stories.
Flowers along the walkway, love the rock idea out in front, bushes under the window and a fruit tree on that far outside bend. Looks great!
My best advice other than to choose things that fit the amount of light the area gets and for your hardiness zone, is to not worry too much about “getting it right.” I move things every single year. Things don’t quite feel right and I remove one thing and boom, that was the problem. Or something struggling in one area gets moved to a new bed and boom – it explodes and is so happy. Or something I thought was going to create a certain kind of feeling just looks all wrong – move it. The bed you created has such a lovely shape. Post progress pics!
You need some color. Look for multiple-toned bushes and ground cover.
Begin with the end in mind
Honestly, the bed positioning is almost the opposite of what it should be in proportion to the house. The bulk of bed should be in front of the house on the right side so there’s room for a small tree to be planted an appropriate amount of space from the corner of house, and then some shrubs under windows without being right up against the house. Then some lower growing perennials/grasses annuals along front of bed and walkway. I’d eliminate the curve where the sidewalk meets driveway too, personally. Not trying to be a dick or anything, but both visually, designwise, and practically, as far as planting goes, the way it is now puts more focus/business on the center and left side of the space, where it is already set forward physically and visually, so it further isolates the right side, that is already set back, instead of integrating it. If that makes sense…..
I think this looks BEAUTIFUL. Really really nice.
The flow is wonderful, however the wall is on the tall side for the space. General rule of thumb is the beds should roughly 1/4 of the homes height where the space in front of the sidewalk may exceed that. I’d consider planting two or three staple bushes (remember, they’ll take a few years to mature, so don’t get too excited and over plant like it’s easy to do when they’re small).
Hydrangeas are always beautiful and may look nice on the outer edge (approaching your neighbors)
From there, you could plant seasonal flowers each spring or for lower maintenance, hostas.
Curious where you got the pavers? Some landscapers put those in at our place and I need to grab some more soon.
Looks great but that little peak between the stones and driveway would drive me nuts, lol.
“You must bring us … A shrubbery!”
No really. Good spot for some nice low maintenance native shrubs.
Not. Boxwoods.
Maybe some red osier dogwood (not kousa) or chokecherry or currant or something.
Bamboo would look great there
I think it looks fantastic! Okay, here’s what I would do, though it’s hard to choose:
-boxwoods on either side of sidewalk, leading all the way up to the porch.
-attractive shrubs under the window that can be kept pruned at window level.
-maybe another row of shrubs in front of the window ones if there’s room. Must be contrasting color (like loropetalum) and kept trimmed at a lower level to achieve a nice step affect.
-in the swoop off the side of the house? Could be something tall, maybe a pyramidal holly or similar. Or actually a nice limelight hydrangea would look dynamite there.
-in the middle section, perpendicular to the house…maybe some rose bushes? They’ll be taller than the boxwood, add some pretty color and scent, and it looks like that area gets plenty of sun. Any sun-loving flowering shrubs (or perennials that get bigger) would do if you don’t like roses or don’t want *all* roses. Like black-eyed Susan’s, etc.
-finally in front: Do your seasonal color. These are annuals that you plant once or twice a year.
Edit: formatting
Italian Cypress on that far right bump out at the corner.
The rock is a great a idea. Add a few more here and there (make sure you dig them in a bit. They are more sturdy and it just looks way better than just dropping them there). Ornamental grasses always compliment rocks and they’re pretty low maintenance. Plug in some perennials you like and get a few evergreen plants (small shrubs or groundcovers) and you’re golden. Spring bulbs are another easy pop of color. Usually they’ll show up in the store in the fall.
Waterfall
Probably take that edge by the driveway straight into the driveway. Fill with 70% structure plants (bushes, trees, plants with all season interest like black eyed susans and leave the stems/ seedheads on over winter or wild grasses that go dormant but have large brown foliage), 30% others (annuals, seasonal perennials without year round interest)
Put a tree in the grass area not the mulch area. Trees thrive in open space and your house’s foundation thrives when trees are at least ten feet away, but the further the better. Plant something low and colorful on the mulch area: I don’t know your climate but: lavender, or sedum Carl, echinacea, etc.
Ohhh I have some ideas! But first, what zone are you in and how much sun does it get?
Upload you pic to ChatGPT and let it give you ideas.
Spray it with mulch glue first.
Remove the garden beds and lay down turf.