In need of your ideas on front yard using hardscape design
by
Jane Clayton
+11
I'm not a fan of circular patterns around trees for landscaping and would love some creative ideas using hardscape design with xeriscaping. I won't need help with the type of plants to use but the the actual shape and if I should boarder the areas that do not have grass is what stumps me the most. I can add more grass if needed. I live in San Antonio Texas where it is hot and usually dry. Another question would be if you think I can pull this off with a traditional red brick house? Also looking for color or colors to add by painting the trim, porch and front door.
Thank you I welcome any ideas you could share
Thank you I welcome any ideas you could share
Standing on the roof looking over the front porch.
Close up of brick color.
13 answers
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A couple of things to consider, I know the trees provide needed shade, but, the ones next to the porch and up against the house, should be removed. They will become a structural liability and provide a place for insects and pests to live and have access to the house. Visually, they create a barrier to the house, they almost look like jail bars. Next, considering the need for the type of plantings you want to do, a less formal look would be a good idea. You do not need to border your beds with edging, vegetative or with hard scape. Plant your beds and then mulch them well with a non colored natural mulch. It is a small yard, so less is more. As far as the color for the door and porch, white or light gray, similar to the rocks for the porch. Paint the door a fun color. What ever you like. If you end of not liking it 6 months from now, change it. A quart of paint is cheap.
Suzanne Farmer
on Feb 29, 2016
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Ok. Sit down, Take a deep breath. Not fond of the two big rocks, alone. Add a few more ransom good sized rocks clustered near them, Use rocks with interesting elongated oddly cracked or shaped, then scatter mixed mid sized rocks down-sizing to a variety of gravel sizes, as your base making it into a true rock garden, not a yard with a couple big stones left on it. let this happen and be random. Add a couple more medium significant plants, not trees. (Also get rid of the numbers off the rock, looks like a picnic spot kids graffitti-ed. Put the number on the side of house by door porch. And definitely paint the trim and possibly increase porch post size and paint as well. I like robin egg blue, but your color should be your own liking I would not go real bright or dark, but in some midrange that stays soft, but give a true color to it, not just a common 'paint'. I have seen a purple actually work very nice unexpectedly. It is al in the tone of the color you choose. One last thought. Painted brick can really lift a house to a whole new charm level with just a white wash that is sprayed, powerwashed/sand blasted off making to look like it was worn off a long time ago. brightens, ages, and makes a dark ld house look young. If sprayed off as soon as painted it is easy and quick.
Johnchip
on Feb 29, 2016
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Hi Jane I like what you have going on as far as the areas that are already cleared and have landscape edging. Instead of the circle around the tress which you don't like, make those areas more fluid with curved lines. You can achieve a nice update by filling in your existing areas that are defined already. Fill in with wood landscaping chips and some hostas which would add pops of greenery as well as some visual interest. Planting some perennial flowers that would work in your area would give some height and color and in spots where it's too hard to plant in the ground, add potted flowers or some architectural accent from a garden shop.
MN Mom
on Feb 29, 2016
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My opinion since you seem to have certain wants and nots is to look at hardscaping ideas on pinterest ,hgtv, better homes and gardens. They all have great ideas but unfortunately every time I tried to send the sites for some strange reason they did not work.
Janet Pizaro
on Feb 29, 2016
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My suggestion would be the same as Janet. They have great ideas and you will get to see what really appeals to you. Beware you might change your mind over and over......
Kathy Bitzan
on Feb 29, 2016
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I agree with the ideas above, especially removing trees near the house and redefining your beds and using wood mulch. I'm also wondering exactly what you're trying to accomplish with your hardscaping. A new walkway? Terrace? If neither of those, then I'm not sure you need the expense. I know this isn't what you were asking for, but I think your house is really pretty and some shutters around the windows in the paint color of your choice for all the trim would really punch up your curb appeal. And yes to a nice bright door since it's hard to see. In the meantime, here are some xeriscaping photos for inspiration. Some look sort of like your house or are from San Antonio or are possibilities that you might adapt, like using plantings to edge your beds, rather than hardscaping. Google and Pinterest are definitely your friends. :) Good luck. Your house is adorable.
Centrd
on Feb 29, 2016
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i'm with the remove the trees up next to the house comments. you are probably on a cement slab? or pier and post foundation with no basement?, but those trees can still shed branches on your roof, or bust a slab. just did 2 roofs in 2 years..about 13000.00 (different houses) protect your investment. now, for those who have it- that pier and post thing....critters. coons. possums. small wild dogs. rats. wild domestic felines. all have retrieved from under the house by my uncle who lives in san tony. if you build a shed with a pier and post foundation- some type of skirting would be a good idea, leaving an access panel for maintenance. for a slab- erosion under the slab possible- keep the down spouts discharging 10ft away from the house. now as to planting.....according to uncle.....very rough ground to dig in. you might do better w/ natives.aka "weeds" according to my mothers neighbor. importing soil for planting mounds may be the way to go. check with local nursery's for suggestions.
Dfm
on Mar 01, 2016
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A garden is sometimes a source of appreciation once you see on how beautiful it looks. Whatever type of garden you wish to have in your home, make sure not to ignore the importance of hardscaping elements. A beautifully landscaped lawn will never be complete if its soft elements are not completed by hardscape.The relaxing view and sound of bubbling water can add ambiance to your outdoor living space, which can make your home landscape more inviting. Fountains is a great addition to any yard when you need a little quiet time mostly if you live next to a busy street.
Elizabeth Sagarminaga
on Mar 01, 2016
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i agree with all of the above thoughtful comments. Cut down the trees closest to the home, first.( All of those roots will wreak havoc on your plumbing, your home's foundation, and probably your future plantings. )Then, you may have a better sense of what will please you in the front yard. Do you have a budget? When painting your home, you could use 3 colors... look closely at your bricks...what other colors do you see in them....a bright red with a brown tone...or maybe a blue color.....a taupe is often visible in bricks? Mustardy colors look nice with bricks. Also, you could add shutters to your windows (an easy DIY project). The stone path to your home looks tired. Maybe a stamped & colored (brick) concrete path. If your budget allows, consult with professionals for this project. Hardscaping is complicated. Here is where you would make the xeriscape idea tie in because that type of landscape does not usually have grass.....you see cacti, aloe, and native grasses and plants----planted in a setting of rocks. good luck~.
Mcknightseltzer
on Mar 01, 2016
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I would remove the two trees inside the sidewalk planting area close to the house on left side and the small forked tree up against the front porch. This will allow the other trees to fill out in their canopy and still shade the house. I would add Shutters and paint them (see Photo)with Sherwin William (SW) SEALSKIN 7675 and the Front Door with SW RURAL GREEN 6418 and trim out the rest of the house (Eaves, Trim, Garage Doors, Porch Railings, Etc) in SW 7006 EXTRA WHITE. Lowe's has Carriage House Hardware for Garage doors for instance curb appeal for less than $50 that screws onto the door (see Photo). Your landscape beds look fine - put down new mulch and maybe plant a couple of grasses or low flowering shrubs - a local garden center could better advise you for your area what to plant - take them a photo of your house for them to give you ideas. You could enhance you landscaped beds with a brick border with a mowing strip to reduce weed eating around the beds (see photo). Your might find pressure washing the brick & sidewalks, front porch, & driveway will brighten you house too. To preserve the clean look on the concrete areas - seal with Thompson Waterseal. Hope this helps! Your house is so cute & darling! Love to see finish product!
Sherry Renfro
on Mar 02, 2016
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Here's my 2 cents...DO NOT REMOVE the trees! The trees will provide some shade during the hot, dry summer months & you will be thankful for it. The following link has a list for drought resistant plants for Texas... http://austinnativelandscaping.com/xeriscape-texas-native-plants-for-drought-toleran-landscaping-in-austin-texas/. There are 3 things you can do either paint it, whitewash it OR mortar smear the brick on your house. Here is an example of what the mortar smear technique this was featured on an episode of Fixer Upper & seems to be something Texas does A LOT to the brick buildings. http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/82/4d/54/824d54c04b7148212712d333f29f131d.jpg My suggestion would be to make the outside of your house as light as possible to reflect as much light as possible...It will help lower the temperature inside the home. As far as walkways to/from house I would do a light color slate pathway rather than a solid concrete pathway.
Kayo Frazier
on Mar 02, 2016
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Who says you have to do round? You could create octagon or square shapes around the base---it is your house, afterall. I think they would create a visual difference to your landscape. Also looks like a separate path has been created that is not the same as the one leading up to the door---that does look a bit strange---looks like it needs more definition and would cut out some of your grass problem---with such dry weather, not sure if you want to add more grass--you might want to think of more planting that is appropriate to your area that would add interest to your yard.
Cathy
on Mar 05, 2016
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If you're not a fan of garden beds (circular or otherwise) under trees, I suggest you gravel the area and put in a park bench. Another idea is to put some bicycles about, styled as planters and painted a complimentary colour to the house trim. Garden beds could echo the curve of the path.
Chris Smith
on Mar 09, 2016
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