Please Help us Landscape our front yard!

10 years ago

First house! WootWoot! Any landscape suggestions? We both are originally from the west coast and now live inland a bit in North Carolina but want to incorporate our love for the coast in our design.

We are in the process of pulling the big bushes out of the front of the house...so much work! THe big bushes are dated and I don't like how they overwhelm the house and something could hide in them!

We are diy'ers but haven't done a lot of gardening or landscaping before!

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated! For the front and the side part of the yard that is already bricked off (2nd picture)

Thanks houzz'ers!

Featured Answer

User

10 years ago

Awweesssomme place. My advice, find a landscape architect type and let them plan it for you. I spent a FORTUNE using just a landscaper about 10 years ago and regret most of what I did. The reason why is, nothing comes together and my master plan is different than what I could afford at the time. It's well worth it to have a top rated professional company do this for you and then get bids for the work. It doesn't matter if you're talking $10k budget or $100k budget. The other advantage is they already have contacts, etc., and can coordinate it all for you. I have a 1/2 acre backyard, spent a s all fortune on it over the years, and still don't have the look I am going for or the right plants....

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Comments (14)

PRO
Snow Hill Inc
10 years ago
Congratulations on the new home! Make sure to take lots of before, in progress, and after pictures! A few things that jump right out at me, I would cut a circle around the large tree in front and mulch it with a nice dark brown natural mulch. I would also put a small garden down each side of the walkway and especially around the first steps and down to the road, maybe put a row or two of bulbs (iris, tulips, daffodils, ect.) along the walk and then by the steps plant a couple bushes, maybe a peony or azalea or something similar to help disguise the change in elevation and frame the steps in. In the front, be careful when you plant new bushes or flowers not to go to small, the old shrubs are def. overgrown, I'm personally a fan of shrubs in back and bulbs along the front edge.
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Judy M
10 years ago
It is worth or to get a landscape architect, once you have a plan drawn, you can plant in stages if you need to and even do some of the work yourself.
colonialgp
10 years ago
I agree about hiring a professional. Since you're from the west coast, you are probably not familiar with how plants can simply die from thirst in NC in the summer. I encourage you to live with it for a year to get know your yard. Things will be popping up all summer and in the fall that you did not realize were there. And study the sun. Make a chart of where it is every hour of the day so you know your sunny spots and shady ones. Do this at least seasonally if not weekly. It will pay off in spades later on.
mousemaker
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
in NC you can practically have a year round garden. I would look up your garden zone and see what plants and trees do well there and chose accordingly. The local library is a good resource. Elizabeth Lawrence was from Raleigh, NC., the first woman to receive a landscaping degree from the university.
oderby
10 years ago
You have a perfectly proportioned house: a door in the middle, generous space of land on both sides of the door. Search for curb appeal on Houzz and find the house that matches yours with the front yard you would like to have. Even if you decide to invite a landscape architect, it will be much cheaper to say: that is what i want, rather than to go through your ideas and his/her multiple designs. Check your local library too. Good luck!
elcieg
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Tree to the left,not so good. Tree to the right, good. Deck, white railings along the walk?

Late Spring Garden · More Info
E L
10 years ago
Hi! I strongly recommend hiring professionals. You can always have them bid out their ideas in phases. You complete each phase as your budget permits. Pull together as many photos as you can and include plants and designs that you like. The pros are willing to work with you and they really do understand budget. Good luck.
aliss browne
10 years ago
judig hello, could you tell me what color it is painted on the front?
houssaon
10 years ago
About the trees. The one on the left could use a good pruning to open it up a bit and the one on the right needs to have the ivy removed from it. Cut the ivy at the base and wait until it dies, then you can carefully pull it off without ripping the bark. Good suggestions above.
libradesigneye
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Echo - Foundation plantings are half of the charm of your house so before you do a lot of demo, collect an ideabook, hire a local pro and good luck.
Sigrid
10 years ago
Stuff that thrives in your environment is planted in your neighbors' yards. Stroll around your neighborhood, take pictures of stuff you like. Join a garden club, you'll probably be given plants. Look at gardening books in your library. Some will have planting plans you can adapt. Look up the plants and substitute with local favorites, as needed.

Reading up on plants will often hint at issues. If stuff described as acid-loving (heathers, blue hydrangea) are found everywhere in your area, pay attention to plants described as alkaline-lovers. Same with sandy versus clay soils, heat, water, etc.
PRO
Toms Creek Nursery & Landscaping
10 years ago
Here in NC fall/winter is the best time of year to handle new plant and turf installations. This will give you some time to get a plan together. I'd recommend for immediate impact go in (now) and trim the large shrubs against the house down by 1/2 they'll flush out in the spring. Then start planning.
PRO
Carolyn Choi
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Welcome to the Tarheel state ! I'm a newcomer here myself . Love your house and would keep the farmhouse look by adding window boxes for seasonal color and an informal planting of a mixture of evergreen boxwood, flowering shrubs, perennials and annuals in sweeping curved beds on each side. Notice that two taller shrubs are on the edges of each side of the house to balance it. If you have problems with deer I suggest you select shrubs and plants that they don't like or consider fencing in your property to keep them out.

Please Help us Landscape our front yard!

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Snow Hill Inc

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E L

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