The first thing I'd do is plant trees, after deciding what type you prefer. Just make sure you have a plan, so as you progress with landscaping, the tree(s) are distanced enough to permit shrubs, etc. to be worked into your landscaping.
I face west too but we have an abundance of trees across the street that gives us a lot of shade and 3 large ones in my yard. I planted trees 30+ years ago...you just have to. Talk to a local arborist and find a quick growing one that is not so messy. Most trees drop leaves but you just have to eal with it. Until you get some shade, you can never have pretty flowers. You might want to get a couple of large pots to put beside the door and fill them with every color flower you can
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find. These would not take a lot of time to keep watered. Concrete pots are heavy, but they seem to last a long time and can be painted later. Try some grasses in different colors instead of shrubs...??? Maroon, green, chartruse, varigated, even in the pink and blueish colors would work. You can cover with straw in the winter to keep them alive until the next year.
I had a pergola built over the front door, then covered the top with outdoor fabric from Lowe's. Later added a small pond. Now I have a shade garden. Did not attach the pergola (arbor) to house it is free standing, which meant no building permits. Wish I knew how to get pictures posted to this site, then you could see what it looks like. it would not be expensive to have one built from your front door to the end of your house, this would give you lots of shade and a place to garden.
Thanks everyone. Becky-- yes I will l look again for trees. Pretty slim pickings now. I want to see if I can get at least one before winter. My old neighbor gave me 2 small shrubs as well.
Jeannette--Color, absolutely. I love color, And after the photo was taken, I did put out a couple huge pots loaded with flowers and greenery. Great ideas.
Lou B--I adore the pergola idea. I have wanted an entry and that would do it. Detached is
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I, too, face west, but have lots of shrubs. I put geraniums in the ground by the front door and have 12 hanging geraniums on the front porch (though they are looking a little pitiful about now). I have carissa holly and firepower nandina. Lantana is planted between the shrubs. It all gets pretty hot because I don't have any trees, either, but I think it's all worked because we kept it watered well when we planted them initially.
I agree with planting the trees and Fall is the best time to plant them! So start looking now :)
Find plants and flowers that are drought resistant and love full sun. I say drought resistant because your soil probably dries pretty quickly since it's in the full sun.
I also like the idea of tall ornamental grasses
And loving the idea of a Pergola! You have a blank slate to work with so you can have alot of fun!
You definitely need to plant trees for shade, but make sure they are placed so when larger, they will block the sun. Also, now is a good time to buy trees cheap at Lowes/Home Depot type stores cause they don't want to water the rest of the summer so they are at about 25% regular cost. Just go see what they have. Fall is best time to plant, but as long as you water well, they'll be fine. Probably happier after sitting in a nursery, but may have small shock when first planted. Just baby
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them. Also, create bed lines and you can work on it a little at a time over the years, but the trees are most important cause they need to grow! Check for fast growing ones. Good luck!
Barb, I know some prefer "fast growing" trees, but there are issues with those. Be sure to research the tree before committing to it. Just Google it to see if perhaps it has brittle limbs, root systems that interfere with sewage and irrigation, along with other "fast grower" issues. Whenever I have started a tree from seed, I allow it to attain a certain height, then begin pruning lower limbs from the small tree to encourage vertical growth and structure. I never prune a critical
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number of limbs off, just the lower few. That way, the tree doesn't use its energy developing more branches and leaves that won't be remaining on the tree. All energy goes into the portion it will retain. That is one way to force a tree to a certain height sooner than it would attain otherwise.
Barb, here are some photos showing color by painting pots. A great place to find pots is garage sales. They have started making the resin pots so decoative I love them. They are lighter and easier to handle. You can also place a couple of bricks side by side and set pots on top to aid in arranging them.
Trees are a great idea - just be sure to plant them closer to the road than the house. That way you will be able to enjoy the sun in the winter time as well, and not have too many issues with the falling leaves and possible falling branches. Maples are very hardy up north, and grow at a reasonable pace - pay to have some larger size transplants done professionally.
The pergola is a great idea, one that you may want to expand over the front window - dress up
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the area under the pergola with some bright lawn benches or chairs, and some large pots of flowers. It sure would make an invitation from the curb!
I also like ornamental grasses, they are care free - although they do tend to want o take over. They sure are an eco-friendly solution to large areas - no mowing, watering or much fertilizer needs.
Send us some pics when you are done. Oh - I almost forgot to mention, you may also want to place a nice red maple to the right of the door - out in the lawn area - do some nice landscaping around it - it looks like you have some sort of tall planting in the bed close to the house - if it is a tree - I would strongly consider moving it out farther - way to close to the house when it gets big.
It looks like from the photograph that the sidewalk to your front door runs right next to your house. I think a winding path from a point about mid-way on your driveway would look much more appealing, and give you the opportunity to develop a planted area, perhaps anchored by a small ornamental tree or flowering shrub, in front of your picture window.
I see Power and cable line shadows - Hopefully they are across the street. You don't want to plant trees bebeath those or too close to the drive way, eventually the sap will drip on the cars. Brought tolerant is the key. Here in RI I have Burning bushes, Rose o sharron ( they both are prolific) one huge white Oak in the back and 2 Maples in the front. I hear they have produced non - seed producing maples - lucky you. It looks like you have a nice level area to start with. Sit at
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curbside close your eyes and imagine - then sketch it out - plan it, plant it, water it and watch it grow into you vision - Soon you will have it "made in the shade." ( :
Banana Palms are very nice for shade providers. Very hardy! I like Lou B's idea of a pergola! You could plant some drought resistant vines near the pergola and let them go. The shade would be good and the air would always smell fresh.
Beware of Bradford Pear trees! They are beautiful ornamental trees (not fruit-bearing) but they have very weak trunks and tend to split down the middle in high winds.
Well, darn it, I'll retract that last statement. Since you are in Michigan, perhaps you could plant lots and lots of cherry trees? The blossoms smell really good and you can make all of us cherry jelly...lol
Have you considered installing a pergola to the right of the front door? This would create visual interest, create some much needed shade, provide support for climbing vegetation, and even an outdoor living space in your front yard.
Love the pergola idea! And this is something the average folks handy with tools can do. I have seen them fitted with canvas draw coverings that are fantastic. But in the long run, she has to plant trees. 10 hours a day of sun is brutal! We could never keep our house cool in the Georgia heat until the trees we planted matured. We face west and are never in complete sun!
We are in CT and our last house faced west - we had awnings installed - cut the heat and eased the AC. Funny that they new owners have never put them up - new house has a south facing wall of second story windows - thinking of tinted film...
Unless you are the type that like bare lawns, my advice would be to get a few drawf shade trees and do some landscaping with some nice perennials that like the sun. You'll have less grass to mow and your yard will look beautiful.
Jeannette--Color, absolutely. I love color, And after the photo was taken, I did put out a couple huge pots loaded with flowers and greenery. Great ideas.
Lou B--I adore the pergola idea. I have wanted an entry and that would do it. Detached is ...»
Thanks so much to all of you,,so very nice.
Find plants and flowers that are drought resistant and love full sun. I say drought resistant because your soil probably dries pretty quickly since it's in the full sun.
I also like the idea of tall ornamental grasses
And loving the idea of a Pergola! You have a blank slate to work with so you can have alot of fun!
good luck and let us know what you do!
The pergola is a great idea, one that you may want to expand over the front window - dress up ...»
I also like ornamental grasses, they are care free - although they do tend to want o take over. They sure are an eco-friendly solution to large areas - no mowing, watering or much fertilizer needs.
Send us some pics when you are done. Oh - I almost forgot to mention, you may also want to place a nice red maple to the right of the door - out in the lawn area - do some nice landscaping around it - it looks like you have some sort of tall planting in the bed close to the house - if it is a tree - I would strongly consider moving it out farther - way to close to the house when it gets big.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/IC4212Mich... ...»
It looks like from the photograph that the sidewalk to your front door runs right next to your house. I think a winding path from a point about mid-way on your driveway would look much more appealing, and give you the opportunity to develop a planted area, perhaps anchored by a small ornamental tree or flowering shrub, in front of your picture window.