Asked on Jul 19, 2013
Landscape Ideas
by
Terry
+19
I posted a photo of my house recently and got some really good suggestions for landscaping. I took many of the suggestions and created a photoshop illustration showing them all together. One of my goals is to take attention away from the large garage and make the entrance the focal point. I would love some feedback on what I have done so far. I know that I am gong to need a lot more flowers and plants but I'm still discovering what I like and trying to learn how to combine different types of plants to create a pleasing appearance.
Before
After. It is hard to tell from the photo, but I added an arbor over the garage as suggested by a responder to my original post. I also added faux windows and a house number.
22 answers
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wow now thats Curb Appeal
Melody ten Berge
on Jul 19, 2013
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@Terry you have created a pretty good vision. One way in which you could create a low maintenance garden would be to use some tall growing perennial grasses, and colour with some barberry bushes. Look into the perrenials that do well within your area in the shades you desire. Make your garden as large as you want, but you don't have to put the plants all in on the first year - just balance the area and heavily mulch the rest (to keep the weeds at bay). I have found mulch - a fine cedar mulch - adds some interest when done in a complimenting colour or in black to the ground look like rich earth. You can add some more colour with annuals until you decide which perennials you like. You might want a colourful perrenial flower in front of the porch to the left. All in all, I think you are on the right track and have definitely added curb appeal. Take your time. Please do update us with photos - would love to watch it develop.
Gail Salminen
on Jul 19, 2013
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STUNNING!
Alexandra Arena
on Jul 19, 2013
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Very Beautiful!!
Melissa Gutilla
on Jul 19, 2013
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Another plant you might look into for your landscape is the elderberry. They grow to about 6' and come in 2 colors green which flowers white in the spring and the black which flowers a pale pink. The black is my favorite (it's not a true black but a dark purple). They grow quickly, my black one started out last year at about 12 inches and is now over 5'! Also, if you get high winds in your area, stay away from Locust trees! We have a purple robe locust in our front yard, the wood of the locust is brittle so high winds will snap limbs off,. They also get nasty suckers that travel many many feet (50'+). Gardening is an expensive "habit" so I hope that some of my suggestions help with your decisions. I love your vision!
Sheri N
on Jul 21, 2013
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You might consider partially, at least, wrapping it around the right side of the house....
Patti
on Jul 21, 2013
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Beautiful!!
Sia@South 47th
on Jul 21, 2013
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Love it. Beautiful curd appeal!!
Mikell Paulson
on Jul 21, 2013
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Looks wonderful, low maintenance, not pricey and leaves room for possible increase in size. Ya did good!
Diane B
on Jul 21, 2013
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Looks very nice.
Debby Boyle
on Jul 21, 2013
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that is what I call curb appeal...nice work.
Cyndi Moore Tippett
on Jul 21, 2013
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I love your idea of using photoshop to help you plan your curb appeal! Did you use a specialized program?
Amanda M
on Jul 21, 2013
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I love it! That purple tree is a beautiful addition. Are you concerned that it will block your view if you're sitting on the porch or looking out the window? Also, I would suggest some plantings closer to the front of the house to cover up the area below the porch railings. Something that will grow up as tall as the base of the rails. Maybe a shrub that stays green all year round. Nandina maybe? It changes color throughout the year. It would be really pretty. Nice, nice job, Terry! It looks like you had fun doing it! I'd love to have one of those programs so I could do mine!!
Mary Tonningsen
on Jul 22, 2013
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Not sure how you shaped your garden, but my advise to all gardeners is to use a hosepipe when you shape a new bed. This way you can see the result before you start digging. You will also avoid making simple mistakes that you may have to rectify if you are not happy with the shape of the bed.. Avoid square corners as you will find that mowing can be a pain when you spend too much time in an area to get it neat and tidy. Your creation flows and is easy on the eye. Well done.
Rocky Road Backpackers
on Jul 22, 2013
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I agree with wrapping the bed around the right side of the house and moving that tree more to the right. We just cut down a tree that was blocking our view. In place, you should put some bushes that cover the area below the porch. Bush roses are easy and beautiful. I would also curve the opposite way along the driveway so the lawn mower just continues on.
Julie M
on Jul 23, 2013
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Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I will post pictures when I make this vision a reality. @Amanda M - no specialized program, just Photoshop. I found images of plants that I like and added them to a photo of my house.
Terry
on Jul 25, 2013
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I think the only thing that i'd change if this was mine, is that i'd plant the purple tree on the left of the front door (when looking at it) there by detracting from the garage, and making the front of the house more open and inviting! you have a gorgeous porch, don't hide it!! The wonderful things you could do with each season is endless!
Amy Ogden-Paparone
on Mar 09, 2014
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Beautiful changes! I love the front porch! In our area of FL, we don't see many front porches.
M. Salie
on Mar 09, 2014
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Paint the squares or the trim around your garage door to match your front door. How about a birdbath or fountain. They have so many crafty ideas on Pinterest to make thes yourself, cheaply. Some wind chimes always help dress things up, too. Nice brick pavers going from your garden to your yard would look nice as well. They have one you can do yourself using a multiple photo frame that are always cheap at thrift stores or garage sales. Something between the garage windows and roof...decorative.
Slr271991
on Jul 09, 2014
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What garage? I would definitely go for this look. Takes your eye right to the entrance and porch.
Donna Byram
on Jul 10, 2014
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You could move the purple flower tree to some other place in the garden as it is hiding the front space in the porch. Secondly, you should add some more colorful flowers to make the place even more lively. Hope you like the suggestion. http://bit.ly/1BU39DH
Elizabeth Sagarminaga
on Mar 20, 2016
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love the photo enhancement! now b/4 planting...see if the underground utilities are any where the proposed plantings. also remember that a mature shrub or tree has about 3x the root ball of the canopy. also remember surface roots can bust up concrete . plan for the mature size of all the plant materials used.
Dfm
on Mar 21, 2016
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