How should I landscape front of house that has only sun in morning?

I would like flowering bushes (hydrangeas?) and shrubs that keeps their color during the cold months (NJ). I have not moved in yet...I will be in the house mid April. I would like mixed heights. The less upkeep the better. Right now sod is right up to the front of house (under the snowicon ) What do you think of window boxes...anyone know how to make them? Thanks in advance for your help!

  17 answers
  • Goldye242002 Goldye242002 on Mar 09, 2019

    Have you thought of holly bushes in winter you'll even get red berries to make decorations.

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Mar 09, 2019

    I haven't lived in your area for many years. Try checking the site HighCountryGardens.com. They have TONS of info and products that can put you on the right track to landscape success. Pay special attention to the pest and pollenator filters when you're checking what works in your area. It will help every selection you make much more successful. Happy spring gardening.

  • Rymea Rymea on Mar 09, 2019

    Most hydrangeas need at least partial shade. So if you want them you should probably plant a large shade tree first and wait a few years to plant the hydrangeas. I would plant the shade tree a little toward the west side so you would have afternoon shade. Also I find it harder to grow things in full sun -more watering etc. A small flowering tree would look good on one or both corners of the house. You could put evergreen bushes under the windows leaving space for your hydrangeas. A mixed bed of perennial and annual flowers could be added later in front of the bushes. Have the flowerbed come out around the walkway and circle around the small tree on the corner.

  • Carolyn Lane Carolyn Lane on Mar 09, 2019

    I live in South Carolina and even morning sun can be brutal . I would move in and use planters or pots to add color this summer. This will give you time to see how intense your morning sun will be. Do your research on the plants that you think you want to use. Things that say they will only grow to 3 or 4 feet often get 6 or 7 feet here. Consider your window heights on the front of your home. You don't want shrubs covering them. Check online gardening catalogs for ideas. I often order small plants and pot them to give them a good start. I can move them around and see how they do in different spots before planting them. Hydrangeas would probably do well in your sun light, but lose their foliage in the fall and are just sticks. Maybe try hydrangeas on the corners of your new home. Remember to add evergreens to your foundation plantings and use more than one of a plant. Group your plants in groups of odd numbers 3, 5 etc. Have fun with your lovely new home.

    • Daffodilnut Daffodilnut on Mar 09, 2019

      Great ideas. Many people will

      plant too close to the house not allowing for future plant growth. Try newer dwarf shrubs as your windows are low. Evergreens will keep it pretty in winter. You can put a border of annuals or during or summer bulbs in front of them for seasonal color. So fun!

  • Ellen Gregory Ellen Gregory on Mar 09, 2019

    It looks like my house. I don't have hydrangeas as the deer love them. I have pyramid boxwoods with rhododendron in front of that and blue star juniper up front on the right. One the left I have 2 rows of rhododendron, some small round boxwoods and 2 golden false cypress.

  • AM AM on Mar 09, 2019

    Hosta very easy to grow not a lot of care

  • Donna Donna on Mar 09, 2019

    I agree w Carolyn Lane...good landscaping is expensive and planning takes time. I bought my home in 2002 and COULDN’T wait to get started‼️ Bad idea. I lost a number of plants, and replanted I can’t remember how many others...it got to be a joke among my friends🤗

    There are a number of apps to assist in landscaping. I can’t remember the name of app, but it allows you to upload a pic of your home, then has an almost unlimited choice of plant/bush/tree pics you can move around to get the look you want.


    Happy planting in your new home😎

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Mar 09, 2019

    Check with your local nursery for ideas specific to your area and sun conditions.

  • I have a Master Gardener and I would suggest getting in touch with your local extension office as to what can grow in your area successfully. The great thing about establishing a front yard is you can do it overtime and spread the work and money out unless you have an unlimited budget. You could easily create a flower bed right in front of the home itself and just have the turf removed. Could also do a central flower bed in the middle of the lawn in an oval or Circle and run a flower bed up against the sidewalk. There are tons of ideas online but I would start with your local extension office first. It also depends on what you're wanting to grow. If you're strictly looking for shrubs that's one thing. I would very very highly recommend you plant some trees in your front yard, they create shade, and really increase your home's value. If you don't have any trees in the backyard I'd suggest that as well. Can also get trees and have beautiful blossoms in the spring and have beautiful foliage in the fall. Hope that helps! And good luck

  • Flowers Flowers on Mar 09, 2019

    If you only get sun in the morning instead of the hot afternoon sun in the front of your house, Hydrangeas love morning sun and afternoon shade, so go for it plant what makes you happy !!!!! Another plant would be azaleas, mix it up.  Good Luck !!!!

  • Linda Linda on Mar 09, 2019

    Take this picture to your local nursery. Usually they will give you free landscaping advice since you may be buying your plants from them.

  • Dee Dee on Mar 09, 2019

    We have similar weather in NH. Hydrangeas do very well as well as azaleas and rhododendrons. Minimal upkeep and flower every year. The endless summer hydrangeas bloom all summer into fall.

  • Ellis Ellis on Mar 09, 2019

    What a pretty house! On Long Island, I have that sun situation on one side of my house, and hydrangeas do well there. I've also had success with some azaleas, holly and hosta. Azaleas, holly and rhododendrons keep their leaves, as do various evergreens like pines. There are some beautiful evergreens with golden tipped branches, too.


    There are some gorgeous small hydrangeas, that would fit well under your windows, but keep in mind that they do need a bit of water, so don't plant them too close to your house. There are also some beautiful taller hydrangeas that could go at the corner. Remember, they're deciduous, so they lose their leaves in winter. You should incorporate some evergreens for winter color. It's good to leave room (a few feet more than the mature size of your shrubs) behind foundation plants so you don't have to constantly trim them back and they don't brush the house siding.


    Look at garden books from the library, get some garden catalogs, and of course look on the internet for garden sites. There's also the county cooperative extension for advice. Visit a few good nurseries in your area. You should find a lot of plants that will do well where you are. Take your time and enjoy the process!

  • Cathy Dillon Cathy Dillon on Mar 10, 2019

    Okay all the possibilities!! I like the window box idea, but had one once installed on an iron railing at the top of the steps to the door and it was a pain in the neck to keep the plants watered and the dirt was always drippig out along witht the extra water.. Be sure you anticipate the downside/ drawbacks of window boxes, and see if anyone has ideas about how to make them work.


    Next suggestion DONT plant too close to the house. You must be able to place a ladder to deal with your windows, perhaps your window boxes, and on your photos the eaves. This is one of the most common mistakes - that as the shribbery grows it eats up all of the allotted space. You should have/ will be happier with an aisle of about 3-4 feet right next to the house for access. After the plantings grow in you will still be happy to have that space!

  • Bill Dunphy Bill Dunphy on Mar 10, 2019

    +Not knowing where you live, or the yearly climate, I would suggest you go to your nearest local garden shop, and ask. I am sure they could suggest bushes that would give you year round color, and perennials galore !


  • Mona Blake Mona Blake on Mar 10, 2019

    Hostas, grasses (leave plenty of room for expansion with grasses), periwinkle ground cover, weigelia ( 6 ft tall by 15 ft), plastics provide year round color, visit yhis blog: https://blog.crescenthomes.net/2016/11/16/planning-winter-landscaping-charleston/

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 23, 2021

    Hi, Have the whole lot Turfed with good grass and leave for a season. Decide then once you have lived there for a while. Put plants in Pots to start with and enjoy!