We just purchased a house with a crawl space and no landscaping

Marge
by Marge
What can I plant around the house ... Is there anything I should stay away from?
  15 answers
  • Jessie Jessie on Aug 28, 2013
    I planted any thing that looked pretty and it is beautiful, it will be interesting to follow this incase I planted any mistakes.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 29, 2013
    Remember to take into account the mature size of the plants. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to foundation planting. You want to pull them far enough away from the house that they do not touch it when they mature. A mix of evergreens for structure and flowering shrubs for color is what most people find pleasing to the eye, but it is your house, and you get to make it your own.
    • Patricia W Patricia W on Aug 30, 2013
      @Douglas Hunt You are so right! Who ever planted here at our turn of the century home did pretty well, but there are Little Princess Spirea hidden behind the Andromeda. I found them by accident while I was looking for our dogs collar back behind the shrub line . Also they planted a beautiful Rhodie, a Holly tree, a very large rose bush and a ton of Lillys in one circle planting bed, and they all grew together.
  • Catherine Smith Catherine Smith on Aug 29, 2013
    Take some pictures so you have a visual record of what you planted where. That way, if you have to make some changes, it's far easier to see and fix.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Aug 29, 2013
    It would be great if you could take a picture and post it so we can get an idea of what your house looks like (how low windows are, how tall the house it, what color) and maybe how the sun goes around the house so that we get the right type plants in the right place
  • Liz H Liz H on Aug 30, 2013
    in shady areas, I love hostas. they are low maintenance and are usually on sale this time of year. stay away from the entrance to the crawl space. I have the same issues and I usually try to keep it so when the plants mature there is about a foot of space between the plant and the house. have fun :)
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Aug 30, 2013
    Plant some mint around the crawl space, it will help keep the mice away. Be warned though mint is invasive.
  • Marge Marge on Aug 30, 2013
    Thank you so much - the previous owner planted three small evergreens to hide the electrical hook- ups to make the house look nice in pictures and I am concerned that their roots will interfere with the crawl space .... I am planning on planting hostas as I have a friend who can divide some of hers for me.
  • Marge Marge on Aug 30, 2013
    here pictures of the house
  • SusZanne SusZanne on Aug 30, 2013
    keep everything low as not too have that wonderful view hidden....perhaps some hydrangeas or knockout roses for color and low maintenance and hostas as well......keep it simple and just enjoy the lake :)
  • HellenK HellenK on Aug 30, 2013
    Some hydrangeas and bird of paradise flowers. Or u can plant some geraniums, it has been a gardners' favorite for a long time.
  • Patricia W Patricia W on Aug 30, 2013
    Looks like you have alot of shade. Lots of windows too! Cute place! Planting depends upon several issues. #1, call a utility locator service BEFORE you dig, They will come out and map the underground utilities. Your soil= The type of soil is important. Your watering ability, do you have irrigation or do you want to water by hand? Your taste. What do YOU like? Plant for FUTURE growth. Some shrubs get real big, space all of your plants and shrubs according to how big and wide they will get. Do you want to spend a little or alot? You can plant a few things at a time, and do it over the years. Your best bet is to get a book from the bookstore or library for your planting zone. Look at the landscapes and choose what you love, what you and your family will be living with. Consider maintenance. Are you are gardener at heart or do you want low maintenance gardening? Over all have fun!
  • I noticed that the top of the foundation was close to the ground. Very common condition. Be sure when developing planting beds that the soils and landscaping material stays at least six or better yet eight inches away from the bottom of the siding. This may require you to create a grass strip behind the beds, or dig them down before planting so the finished height does not go to much further higher. Remember also water runs down hill, so if the beds are pitched towards the foundation, you should expect over time water issues within the crawl space. You have a pretty house, the right splash of seasonal colors will make it a hit in the neighborhood! Be sure to take lots of photos and show it off to us once your done!
    • Patricia W Patricia W on Aug 31, 2013
      @Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Great tip! Our very old homes grade it towards the foundation one the south side, We are going to have to excavate the entire side. They had concrete water catcher things at the bottoms of the rain gutters, but they still graded towards the house. Nutty!
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 31, 2013
    Charming house. The shrubs covering the electrical service look like that might be arbor vitaes. I don't think you have to worry too much about the roots of those. Hostas would be lovely in that shady spot, but remember you'll have nothing for a significant part of the year if you go that route, you may want to include some dwarf andromeda. They're slow-growing, evergreen, like shade and are untouched by deer. And throw in some hellebore and Japanese anemone into the mix.
  • Mary Tonningsen Mary Tonningsen on Sep 03, 2013
    It's a beautiful home - I think you could plant sticks and they'd look good ;) Have fun landscaping and enjoy your new place!
  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on May 07, 2016
    I love your house! I'd head towards large flower beds and that means grass removal, mechanical or chemical. I'm not much for tropicals but love boxwood as a backdrop. They grow low on their limbs and would help cover the small amount of crawl space at the side of your house; also, they're evergreen. Avoid English ivy. Decide what style garden you want and research plants that fit. Also, decide on a color scheme. I love English or cottage style so my heart heads in those directions...where does your heart lead you?