How can I give the front of my house more curb appeal?

Megan Hemme
by Megan Hemme
How can I give the front of my house more curb appeal? This spot stays right in the sun all day. I want it to be green and pretty and nice to look at Instead of ugly rocks.
  9 answers
  • 2dogal 2dogal on Jul 10, 2017

    There are lots of shrubs that you can plant that take full sun. Many have variegated leaves to add color. I wouldn't get plants or shrubs that get too full as the garden area is not too wide. I'd go for shrubs that grow taller. One of my favorites is Nandina. It has a lacy look, green leaves that turn red in the sun. It holds some leaves all year round and has little white flowers in the summer that turn to red berries in the winter. I'd remove the stones, and add mulch after planting. You can also buy Quikrete Concrete Crack Filler to fill in your cleaned cracks in the drive.

  • Lora Lora on Jul 10, 2017

    I would use some plants in bright colored pots and maybe a small birdbath or bird feeder.

  • Molly Anmar Molly Anmar on Jul 10, 2017

    Where do you live, Megan? A good answer requires knowing what planting zone you're located in.

    https://garden.org/nga/zipzone/

  • Patricia De Franco Rini Patricia De Franco Rini on Jul 10, 2017

    Id put some different size pots with greens in some and flowers in others..



  • What zone are you in? I would plant some colorful shrubs - heavenly bamboo is pretty (a clumping bamboo - will never spread, just grow up), and leave the rocks or change them out for river rocks to something more uniform in color. I hesitate to put mulch next to structures for a number of reasons, termites, roaches, etc.

  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Jul 10, 2017

    In lieu of knowing what planting zone you are in----I would suggest a variegated grass like Lirope (commonly called Monkey Grass). You could also do a pretty trellis and add a Clematis Vine. Look around your neighborhood and determine what looks and does well. Also visit your Nursery Centers and ask questions and by all means read plant tags. That's how I learned and there is hardly a day that I don't get a compliment on my yard. Good luck!

  • you could partially immerse potted plants into the rocks, paint the large stones surrounding in different colors, maybe a taller pot and plant to cover the stuff on the left side (corner)

  • Ellis Ellis on Jul 11, 2017

    Digging out rock is a horrible job. I would get a long narrow planter, and a taller one for the corner. You can place them right on top of the rocks. They could be wood, resin, or pottery (if you live in a warm place). That way, you can use the best potting soil and get great, lush results with your plants. Depending on your plant zone, you can change the plants with the seasons, or find something that will thrive year round where you live.

  • Mon7623602 Mon7623602 on Jul 11, 2017

    Get plants that can handel full sun & get lots of pots of different sizes, shapes, & colors. Water in the early evening. Not late at night or first thing in the morning. Maybe paint the "large" rocks. Use one color but in different shades. If you can, maybe some shutters or a window box. How about a small bench.