Landscape Design Help
October 3, 2014 11:55 AM Subscribe
My front yard landscape is in dire need of an overhaul. Before I start pruning the crazy hedges, I just want to make sure I shouldn't be pulling them out altogether. Pics inside.
Are foundation plants dated?
Should I put in a flower garden instead?
What about pulling all but the hummingbird plant?
There are 6 different plants in that front space. Isn't that odd?
Here are a few pics.
Are foundation plants dated?
Should I put in a flower garden instead?
What about pulling all but the hummingbird plant?
There are 6 different plants in that front space. Isn't that odd?
Here are a few pics.
You could get rid of a couple of them. Keep the viburnum (is that one one you're calling the hummingbird plant, or is that the one on the fence?). I don't think the bushiest side is bad-looking. The variegated shrubs are pretty, but it's a big group!.
I don't like the one on the left side of the door, or next to the porch on the right. And the rosemary seems strange--maybe you could plant some things around it? Other herbs? They aren't very attractive plants, though, but a useful one.
Where do you live? Is water a problem?
posted by feste at 12:11 PM on October 3, 2014
I don't like the one on the left side of the door, or next to the porch on the right. And the rosemary seems strange--maybe you could plant some things around it? Other herbs? They aren't very attractive plants, though, but a useful one.
Where do you live? Is water a problem?
posted by feste at 12:11 PM on October 3, 2014
There's nothing inherently wrong with it. It looks a bit overgrown, but lush and welcoming. What do you want to achieve? Do you want more of a view out of that window, more light, or would you miss the privacy?
Are there any shrubs or trees you'd really love to incorporate?
It is hard to see the individual plants in the photos.
If you're a new homeowner I'd suggest leaving them for as long as you can stand it. It really helps, because my original instincts when we moved into our house were about 50% wrong and it was just laziness and luck that kept me from doing things. It might be worthwhile to sit on it until you feel more inspired--there's nothing that says 'omg deal with this now' here.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 12:11 PM on October 3, 2014
Are there any shrubs or trees you'd really love to incorporate?
It is hard to see the individual plants in the photos.
If you're a new homeowner I'd suggest leaving them for as long as you can stand it. It really helps, because my original instincts when we moved into our house were about 50% wrong and it was just laziness and luck that kept me from doing things. It might be worthwhile to sit on it until you feel more inspired--there's nothing that says 'omg deal with this now' here.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 12:11 PM on October 3, 2014
Response by poster: I'm in Central Texas so water is a problem.
The internet is telling me that hummingbird bush is Hamelia patens.
Most of the homes in my neighborhood have removed the foundation plants so I was worried they were making our home look tacky or dated. (not pruning is tacky, of course.) hearing that it's not, specifically, a faux pas is heartening!
posted by kristymcj at 12:21 PM on October 3, 2014
The internet is telling me that hummingbird bush is Hamelia patens.
Most of the homes in my neighborhood have removed the foundation plants so I was worried they were making our home look tacky or dated. (not pruning is tacky, of course.) hearing that it's not, specifically, a faux pas is heartening!
posted by kristymcj at 12:21 PM on October 3, 2014
The easiest and cheapest way is to prune them all back by about 1/3, shaping as you go. then edge the bed and cover it with mulch. If the bushes are still too big, cut another 1/3 off next year. Keep going until you like what you see.
posted by raisingsand at 12:26 PM on October 3, 2014
posted by raisingsand at 12:26 PM on October 3, 2014
Prune and/or remove a few. I personally do not like dense shrubbery blocking windows. I would prune the firebush . If the firebush looks awful when it's pruned (I'm thinking it may. It looks beautiful but maybe not the best choice for foundation), consider replanting elsewhere. Plants shouldn't be hacked in my opinion. It might be better to get dwarf varieties of evergreen shrubs than to constantly have to prune down shrubs and plants that naturally grow tall. Excessive trimming gives plants and unbalanced and unnatural appearance.
I think foundation planting is smart with a some annuals and/or perennials for color. A pure flower garden requires too much upkeep.
I would remove the shrub in the front of the left column. It looks scraggly and isn't necessary. I would try to remove and repot the rosemary plant that's growing in the yard - it looks out of place and makes mowing difficult. Is that a sapling of a tree growing next to a larger tree? I would remove it as well and replant in a more suitable location.
I like your plantings but my preference is neat, somewhat compact, and easy to maintain and easy to mow.
Good luck.
posted by Fairchild at 12:31 PM on October 3, 2014
I think foundation planting is smart with a some annuals and/or perennials for color. A pure flower garden requires too much upkeep.
I would remove the shrub in the front of the left column. It looks scraggly and isn't necessary. I would try to remove and repot the rosemary plant that's growing in the yard - it looks out of place and makes mowing difficult. Is that a sapling of a tree growing next to a larger tree? I would remove it as well and replant in a more suitable location.
I like your plantings but my preference is neat, somewhat compact, and easy to maintain and easy to mow.
Good luck.
posted by Fairchild at 12:31 PM on October 3, 2014
Pruning might fix this, but I'd be concerned about those shrubs providing a convenient place for a burglar to hide while breaking in through that front window.
posted by sparklemotion at 12:31 PM on October 3, 2014
posted by sparklemotion at 12:31 PM on October 3, 2014
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If you do plant things, find out what native plantings work best, or drought tolerant plants, I guess. Those big, established shrubs look pretty hardy, they've had time to develop extensive roots and that's an advantage over new plants that will need watering for a while.
Start small, just tackle one place. Do you enjoy gardening?
posted by feste at 2:06 PM on October 3, 2014
If you do plant things, find out what native plantings work best, or drought tolerant plants, I guess. Those big, established shrubs look pretty hardy, they've had time to develop extensive roots and that's an advantage over new plants that will need watering for a while.
Start small, just tackle one place. Do you enjoy gardening?
posted by feste at 2:06 PM on October 3, 2014
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But honestly, it depends on your aesthetic. Do you want shrubs or do you want flowers? And if you want flowers, do you want annuals or perennials? There is no wrong answer, unless you try to grow plants not suited for your climate and exposure.
posted by lydhre at 12:01 PM on October 3, 2014