Landscape help needed!
by
Jessica
+13
I am moving into a new house and have an awkward concert slab at the front door. No porch and sloped yard. Any suggestions on how to landscape for Colorado weather?
13 answers
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All depends on what you expected outcome is! Personally I would go to Lowes OR even a recycle yard..see IF they have any paver/interlock brick. You can build a "boxed planter" with either brick OR lumber. It could be in a "L' shape around the step/slab. DARN! Sure wish I lived closer. Did landscaping for a number of years....I would tackle the job. It appears to have planters/window boxes under those 2 front windows?.
GrandmaCarol Speight
on Feb 22, 2016
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The first step is to find out what zone you are in.Its hard to tell from the photo how much space there is in front of the window. If the space allows a nice retaining wall would compliment the area. Once that designed you can go from there.
Janet Pizaro
on Feb 22, 2016
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cool place! I really wouldn't touch the landscaping for a full year- get your house hold settled first - and watch how the seasons play out- are there dormant flower beds? what is blooming and when? tulips in the spring, hostas later in summer? you will also have a better idea where the sun hits and for how long...all things nice to know. next year....you will have a better idea of whats growing and when, and if you like it or not, and where the sunshine is going to support your sun loving planting, and where the shade is for a table and chair.
Dfm
on Feb 23, 2016
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DFM has a point; live in the place for a year and see how things go. Otherwise, my first thought was to line flower pots along the front of all the concrete, put some silk flowers or greenery amongst actual blooms to add more 'pop'. Perhaps a few feature pots closer to the front door. Easy enough to move around too. And maybe a bamboo or rattan sheet along the top side nearest the door?
Ranger
on Feb 23, 2016
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Seems like a lot of slope to your yard, even up near the house---you could put in a raised bed beside the slabs but would use some kind of brick to create a kind of retaining wall to hold in your plants---a nice urn would look nice also.
Cathy
on Feb 23, 2016
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Thank you everyone so much for your help! We don't move in for another week and I do like the idea of waiting a bit to see how the sun hits the yard. We just some snow again last night so I'll have to wait until things start thawing to see what is already in the yard.
Jessica
on Feb 23, 2016
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I would plant low growing cypress on that bare bank near steps. A small tree in middle of area would look good also. Check with local nursery about low growing evergreen and cover that hill.
Nancy
on Feb 23, 2016
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Take your pics to some local centers. Some have their summer garden staff on contract to answer questions off season by email. Drive around the neighbourhood. Tried and true landscaping. No guessing. You may have a legal issue with the height of the slab at the front door and no railing. If you don't address that make sure you have good insurance. I believe that there are aluminum or wrought iron railings that would screw into the face of cement. I would them consider planting for the whole of the front of the house. Also check Pinterest and Houzz for ideas.
Bluemyrtle45
on Feb 23, 2016
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Meant to say "garden centres".
Bluemyrtle45
on Feb 23, 2016
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I would start by using porch paint in the gray that is on your shutters and paint the flat slab to match. that alone would make a huge difference. Than I would plant some low bushes around it. You could extend a bed around it with just the bushes and some stones to start and then wait and see what would look good in the bed.
Lynda Dexter
on Feb 24, 2016
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http://www.jtaylordesign.com/projects/view/114 I have been thinking and researching for you. Go to this web site to see the almost identical to your home. Spend a little time researching and don't rely on paint to make the big difference on steps. Reface with flat rocks layered instead. More railing will help also. Plantings should be lower all in front and softly planed curbing. Corners should have soft tall on left corner and shorter but some height on right corner. Red bud trees and dogwood are two small and spectacular for curb appeal if your zone will allow. Depend on pots of red or salmon colored geraniums for color front door level. Planter between house and walk keep it low with periwinkle ground cover and annual bulbs, like daffodils or tulips. Be sure to use weed barrier in all the beds. I might curb around the big tree and add low creeping, soft evergreens to fill in all the front. Don't block your front with tall plants. You already have the lovely big tree. Add a bench and maybe some large rocks as texture.
Jjarnett
on Feb 26, 2016
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I can not tell what material the shutters are made from the pictures. The paint, if faded or iodised, can be refreshed with armor all. I would like to add how gorgeous your new home is. The colors are the perfect curb appeal.
Jjarnett
on Feb 26, 2016
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Still thinking about you new home. I don't understand why people paint their garage doors so they stand out from the homes. I would change the garage door paint to a softer color to match the lower exterior. Remember to many layers of paint will add weight to the door so sand lightly before you paint it with a good prime and then paint.It This will make the home flow and look larger.
Jjarnett
on Feb 26, 2016
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