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missyv_gw

Seeking landscape help!

MIssyV
9 years ago

Thank you in advance for giving us some input on our landscape. This was my grandma's house, we bought it 11 years ago and have been slowly updating the inside. Finally, the landscaping will be getting a small upgrade!

Our house is looooonngg... so hoping maybe landscaping will help offset that visually. This year we would like to focus on the front of the house, so I am attaching pictures for your input. My main trouble area is the small bed that lies between the walkway to our porch and our porch.

Again, thank you!
Missy, in Ohio

Comments (21)

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    This is the walkway I was referring to that you are unable to see from the full front street shot above.

  • cheryleb
    9 years ago

    I am not an expert by any means but I find that a mix of straight lines and curves is more appealing than all of one or the other. The front of your home has a lot of straight lines and changing the flower bed to a more organic curved bed would help to offset the horizontal and vertical lines. You could also add a tree or shrub bed in the front to break up the wide horizontal line and add color and texture.

    I think the house looks very nice.

  • babera
    9 years ago

    Look at it as a blank slate, the sky's the limit.
    I think the first thing I would do is add handrail to the small patio/porch on the 2 sides and across the front except where the entrance is. I think it would break up the length as well as define the patio/porch from the surrounding beds.

    As for the landscape, if it were mine. . . I would add at least 2 more trees, one between the garage and the roof line of the porch and the other closer to the house but on the right side of the one that's already there.

    Also take out the rounded shrubs on the right. Having them in a straight line just adds to the on-going length. replace them with something more airy, not so dense. Variegated dogwoods would look good against the house for contrast.

    The shrubs in the bed along the sidewalk could use some freshening up as well. . . again I would stay away from dense evergreen, the dogwoods would add continuity if you planted them here as well. . .

    I'm sure others will chime in with more specific choices for flowering plants. . .

  • sc77 (6b MA)
    9 years ago

    Before I even got to your second paragraph, I was saying.. that ranch looks looong. You are spot on about using plants to cut of the ends and shorten the view of the ranch visually. What zone are you? Probably 5b? If so, you won't be able to use Japanese Maple, but you could use dogwood or tri-color beach tree, or Korean Maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum).

    The placement of the 2 trees is the most important step to improving the curb appeal, the rest is just thoughts. A walkway would draw the eye to the front door and separate the long front lawn. A white fence would provide another layer, with some flowers for color.

    The area area you refer to near the house is probably going to be challenging, depending on amount of sunlight and your zone. Does the front of the house face north? please provide additional info and I can make recommendations on plants that can be used there.

  • PRO
    Yardvaark
    9 years ago

    I would consider filling in the long, narrow space between the porch and walk with concrete or some hard paving surface. It might be possible to do it so that it incorporates colored and/or patterned concrete. A second solution would be to plant that space with turf so that, at least, it's still walking space. It doesn't make a good planting space.

    it's not possible to evaluate the existing planting (to see what is savable) from the photos since all the plants are in deep shadows. It would be better if you submitted photos when the plants are in good lighting and it would be better if they were taken from straight on to the house face, in sections (each planting bed separately.) Then add one more overall shot taken square on, lined up with the front door. (With good lighting, too, of course!)

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    I apologize, I do not know how to upload multiple pictures anymore. Garden Web has changed since I last used it!

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Starting at the far right end of house, working towards garage....

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    same flower bed, just straight on vs angle view...

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    flower bed between side of porch and garage/driveway

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    And lastly the corner of the garage flower bed that also extends down the side of our house. I didn't post a pic of the problematic flower bed, I think you can see it in my earlier post. I feel bad I am already posting all these pics individually! Again, sorry. But thank you for all your input! I will say putting a walkway to front door looks cute, but really not practical since most walk to front door from our driveway when the come to visit.

  • PRO
    Yardvaark
    9 years ago

    Wow ... that is a hodgepodge of hedgery!

    You do not understand the concept of photographing ONE WHOLE SECTION AT A TIME. At the right half of the house, we should see a small amount of the porch and EVERYTHING TO THE RIGHT OF IT -- square on -- in a single photo. As it is, we don't even see any of the porch ... just half a window at the right side of house. (I'm talking about picture uploaded at 15:38.)

    "...So maybe pavers are a solution but looking at that picture, I am not sure of the look..." I cannot help you "be sure." I'm only introducing an idea. You must work out the design details whether it's pavers, colored concrete, grass, plain concrete or whatever. I'm only saying it makes a better paving area than a planting area. Put a carpet over it for a few days and test if the theory is correct.

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Yardvaark, I cannot get all that in one picture AND be close up. Is that okay with you? I will try again tomorrow :)

    As for the pavers, I agree its a horrible area to plant and needs to be something we can walk through. We already do it every day as is :)

  • PRO
    Yardvaark
    9 years ago

    "I cannot get all that in one picture AND be close up." What about this: back up until you can get it in the picture ... and then stop. Don't go any farther! ...?? Trust me. It will work.

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Third times a charm, right Yardvaark? :) Please tell me this is what you are asking for.

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    pic 2 of 3

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    pic 3 of 3... scroll up for the corner of the garage layout.

  • PRO
    Yardvaark
    9 years ago

    Good on the picture taking. It is close enough to see everything and far enough to see how things are grouped relative to the architecture. Unfortunately, there is nothing I would save of the existing shrubs. As I mentioned it is a hodgepodge of plants and nothing is working together. It's just a bunch of individuals.

    The drawing is pretty scratchy because I don't have time to clean up the existing plants, but I think you can get the general idea, which is not premised on details, but on an overall layout and arrangement. A matching set of small trees will diminish the boring expanse of exposed roof and give a sense of protection, like awnings (but in a "green" way.) (I think there should also be one left of the garage, but it is not shown.) Groundcover below ... there is no need to hide windows and all the trim that extends quite low to the ground. A couple of dome shaped flowering shrubs (or perennial or annual masses) flanking the porch would add interest and finish to the entrance.

    Small trees like this are made from large shrubs (12' to 15' mature ht., or so.)

  • sc77 (6b MA)
    9 years ago

    I like this request, because it's perplexing...shade, plus z5 is very challenging indeed. It looks like you mostly have Yew shrubs and on the left Birds Nest Norway spruce. I'm glad to see the spruce, as that indicates that side is getting some sun, also they are much nicer than yew.

    I think you should plan on keeping a few of the Yew shrubs on the right, as they provide a very unique combination of shade tolerance, evergreen, and cold hardy...this combo is not easy to find. Beyond that, here are some ideas on trees and shrubs that look incredible and should do well in your zone.

    - Pieris japonica - Several cultivars that are very nice, I especially like 'Silver Flame' as it adds some color
    - Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' - Forms a small tree, but has the huge hydrangea blooms, hardy to z3...very nice
    -Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
    - Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
    - Acer palmatum 'Red Dragon' - I think this particular Japanese maple would do well in your zone. Very hardy, deep red color, even in heavy shade
    -Kalmia latifolia 'Carousel' or other cultivars

    For groundcover, you can use Microbiota decussata (Siberian Cypress) in place of Juniper. Juniper likes full sun, but Microbiota decussata looks just like it, but tolerates quiet a bit of shade.

    For the 2 big trees I wouldn't take a chance on Japanese Maple, unless you know neighbors that are sucessfully growing it in your zone. I'd consider Korean Maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum) or even more exciting is a new cross between Japanese Maple and Korean Maple called Acer x pseudosieboldianum North Wind

    This should help you add some color, texture, and curb appeal to your house!

  • sc77 (6b MA)
    9 years ago

    2nd shot

  • MIssyV
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Thanks to all that have given some suggestions. Is there a way I can play around with pics like you guys are? What program are you using?!

    The house looks extra "blah" right now because nothing has bloomed yet after a very long winter in Ohio, and we didn't mulch last year, which we typically do every year, so beds need built up and mulched!