Greetings.
by
Lori L
+3
We are looking to update and replace our overgrown front walkway to something more open and more current. Any suggestions from the panel of experts? The house sits on a hill so to the right side (looking at the pictures) is a slope going down. Currently there are boxwoods, holly and red photina lining the walkway. Help!
6 answers
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Off the top of my head- Suggestions: take out the concrete sidewalk and replace with paver path or flagstone add a wider curve towards right side of house to open the left corner up a bit. Take out all those over grown shrubs- Transplant to other areas or discard them. Look like you might have some significant shade from all the trees in the back area? Use some red complimentary colors to bring out the red in your door. Add some small deciduous trees (Japanese Maple 'Red Dragon' ?) to the outside sidewalk area along with some small conifer type shrubs (Chameacyparis or Picea or Cypress types) perhaps some gold tones. Add accent small mossy boulder cluster and or birdbath/feeder/bench type structure to give more of a 'garden' experience. Ok so how many pixels can I use on this forum anyway? The whole idea make take a bit more space. Let me know if you want a drawing of what I am seeing in my head. err...I didn't even ask if you are thinking of a more formal space and I was just working on an alpine look for another client....:)
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Sep 09, 2011
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Hi Lori, Four Seasons has some great ideas there. How about some nice annuals and perennials for color, perhaps some cedar mulch? Rose bushes? The Japanese Maple would go great with the front door. Could you post a photo of the whole front yard as viewed from the street? That way we may be able to come up with some more ideas and have a better overall view for space.
Dan's of Central Florida, Inc.
on Sep 09, 2011
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I love the idea of removing overgrown shrubs, adding Japanese Maple and what about a perennial/shrub border/groundcover on either side of the walkway. If you have the money, a plan would be money well spent and then you could implement it in stages beginning this fall. Several Nurseries on this site offer design services or get a recommendation from a friend. Need more info about the exposure- sun, shade, etc
Erica Glasener
on Sep 09, 2011
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Everyone here has great ideas. That path seems rather steep...have you considered putting in a stairway of wide steps, perhaps flagstone with brick edging? Bluestone or granite steps would also be lovely, but pricey. I think if your path edges were more defined, you could keep many of your current plantings.
Karen G
on Sep 09, 2011
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I am all in favor of a wider pathway leading to that beautiful front door, with smaller-scaled plants. There is a tunnel-like feeling walking up to your house now that is more intimidating than inviting.
Douglas Hunt
on Sep 10, 2011
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Lori--I would definitely widen the walkway and perhaps add a few steps at staggered intervals to lessen some of the steepness...however with that said that may give way to lots of grading issues so you might have to run that scenario by your contractor and see if it is not too cost prohibitive on your budget. I would also add some texture to the walkway possibly on the side as a border b/c you want to make sure the material you use is not going to get slippery when it rains b/c the walkway has a steep slope, you dont want to create any safety issues. I would also showcase the expanded walkway with colorful shrubs and small trees whos roots will not become a hazard to the walkway when the trees reach maturity. I think you have a great canvas for a project...I cant wait to see the after pictures! TMW
TonyaM Williams
on Sep 11, 2011
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