Need help choosing plants, shrubs and flowers for yard.

We have a lot of bare space I'm our yard and I want to fill it up and get curb appeal. However I don't know where to begin or what looks good where. Any ideas for me?
  17 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 20, 2014
    The first thing to think about is what you want from your yard. Do you want to grow vegetables? Would you enjoy spending time around a firepit? Do you have children or grandchildren who need a space for active play? Do you need shade to be able to have a place to sit outside an enjoy it? Then sit down with a pencil and paper and make a rough sketch of where those things would be. Only then should you think about planting. Think in terms of priorities and don't try to take on everything at once. In your case, some simple foundation plantings might be a good place to start and will make a world of difference. I can't make suggestions because I don't know how much sun you get or what zone you're in, but I will say that focusing on native plants is a good way to start. They're naturally adapted to your climate, need less water once established and require less intervention to keep healthy in the long term.The Washington Native Plant Society has lots of great information here: http://www.wnps.org/index.html See Washington State's advice on plants for waterwise landscaping here: http://public.wsu.edu/~lohr/wcl/
  • Amanda Baehler Amanda Baehler on Jun 20, 2014
    I would choose flowers with lots of colors that come back year after year and stay green during the winter. I would use ornamental grasses. I would add rock, make a fire pit to sit around to enjoy, Use lots of color whether through flowers decor, used tires and paint them for planters.
  • Pat Pat on Jun 20, 2014
    Depending on your grow zone, I would plant flowering perennials along the foundation with a height of 15-18". Select a variety of colors, such as daylillies, daisy types, Iris, ferns, etc., that grow easily in your area. Once successful, you might also cut into the lawn for some focal areas of similar plantings that can be viewed from inside your home. It need not be expensive - find neighbors willing to share as well. Have fun.
  • Ellen B Ellen B on Jun 20, 2014
    Your porch is gorgeous. I'd do ferns in hanging baskets from above. Your favorite colored annuals in pots near the entrance and stairs. Perennials surrounding your porch. You'll need to look up what zone you're in. Then select perennials by bloom time/height/color etc. If you need more help...this is where to ask. Awesome people on here wiling to help you out
  • Heidy Blalack Heidy Blalack on Jun 20, 2014
    Hey there I am in Oregon so I think I can help you out. You want some curb appeal and something that is just not boring. Good start on flowers that grow well in the area and that you should only have to plant once. Something that grows well and will be hardy are Lavender & rosemary. They are nice because they are multi use plants, scent, garnish, will keep some pests away and they are hard to kill even if you have a brown thumb. Alyssum flowers are great and so are Forget-me-nots for beautiful delicate flowers.Morning glories are wonderful too if you have any place for them to climb. Also Irises grow well in our area and so do ferns and lilies. Once you get started your garden will take on a life of it's own and it won't be boring for long.
  • Michele Eures Michele Eures on Jun 21, 2014
    For the front, I would start with some low-growing (no higher than your porch floor) evergreen shrubs along that lattice. Then a taller shrug as you move out to the right under that double window. Add some annuals in the summer for color. The back looks pretty to me, but if you did want to do some perennials, I would put them back there.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 21, 2014
    To start with, determine how much time you want to spend in yard work. Nothing looks worse than unkept! A lot of people put in beautiful yards and think that is the end to it...and keep in mind a lot of shrubs and flowers can require a lot more effort than does the grass! If you want color without a lot of work, think of colorful pots filled with annuals in between the shrubs!
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    • Therese C Therese C on Jun 22, 2014
      If I live to be a thousand, I will never understand the laziness of some people. There are those of us that wish we could afford a big house with a big yard to care for. Then there are those that have it all and just don't care. Do they not understand that life is a gift and all the wonderful things they acquire are to be appreciated and cared for? I am working so hard to get my grandson and I into a house of our own. I want him to have a big yard to run in and help take care of. The problem is that no one teaches their children responsibilities and respect anymore. When I still had my big house (my children were little then), our home was 18 rooms and our yard was nearly 3 acres. They helped me mow, trim, care for the garden and played outside all the time. I had to practically drag them inside at bedtime. People always talked about how my lawn looked like a golf course...lol...I took a lot of pride in my home and yard. Last time I drove by there I nearly cried. The yard was overgrown, my rose bushes had gone wild, and the split rail fence my son and I worked so hard on was half fallen down. Their children were running in the weeds that use to be my 'golf course'...so sad.
  • Mary Mary on Jun 22, 2014
    Think twice before planting morning glories they are next to impossible to get rid of later. They are invasive, they put down roots that when you pull them out leave roots/tubars that will just regrow a new plant. Don't get me wrong they are beautiful, but you have to keep on top of them or they will take over everything.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Jun 22, 2014
    A good reference book that is has basic and advancedinformation is “How to be a Gardener” by Alan TITCHMARSH. It takes you step by step from simpleprojects like planters to designing your yard. Douglas’ advice is right on the money – decide what you want to do inyour yard and try not to tackle everything at once. Good luck and post pictures.
  • Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. on Jun 22, 2014
    You have a wonderful blank slate! You've already received some good tips - think about how you want your yard to function and how much time you want to put into it. There is no much thing as totally effort free. To start with, I see the need for curves. Lay out that garden hose as a guide and plan some nice deep planting beds, then layer taller plants and evergreens in the back. And perennials just get better and better every year. And start small and let your garden evolve over time. And most importantly, have fun!
  • Sharon Carson Dunham Sharon Carson Dunham on Jun 22, 2014
    I find that like Oregon, here in NH morning glories are a true annual. Winter doesn't let them thrive. While living a short while in Alabama, they could be very invasive. All about climate zones.
  • Catsrule Catsrule on Jun 22, 2014
    Call local landscape business and for a moderate fee they will give you a diagram ed blueprint with specific plants and where to plant them. This will save a ton of money and you can do it over time as your finances permit.
  • Pam Bolton Pam Bolton on Jun 22, 2014
    One specific perennial that I would suggest is hosta. Beaufiful leaves and low maintenance. Sum and Substance is my favorite with its large, crinkled leaved followed by Blue Angel, a smaller variety with bluish leaves as its name suggests.
  • Jeane Gross Jeane Gross on Jun 22, 2014
    I totally agree with Catsrule, use a professional to come up with a total plan for your space with specific plants and flowers. You do the labor and maintenance, the end result will save you $$$$.
  • RanRan RanRan on Jun 22, 2014
    I also agree with Catsrule. A professional will know or test your soil, can accurately assess the sun/shade issues, can steer you away from locally invasive plants and suggest sources for your more expensive/unique perennials. And your yard will reflect you and not Costco/Home Depot, if that matters to you.
  • Myrna Engle Myrna Engle on Jun 22, 2014
    In the front everything is at 90 degrees. house, windows, shutters, porch, steps,; some curves would add calming effect. The backyard has grace due to quite curved edge and plants and birdbaths. Take this to the front. Maybe also add isolated specimen gardens in the middle. Height adds grace and balance..