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rsbair

Purchased Foreclosure: Landscape Design Assistance Requested

rsbair
4 years ago

We purchased a foreclosure about a year ago. The home had been neglected for quite some time. We recently finished up several larger projects inside the house and we're ready to tackle some landscaping. We ripped out the overgrown and dead bushes in front of the house and want to replace with some low maintenance plants that bring some color. House is located in Annapolis, Maryland (Zone 7) and faces west. Any design assistance / tips would be greatly appreciated.




Featured Answer
  • Embothrium
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    It would look a lot better with the evergreen shrubs at the corners and the "color spots" between, instead of the reverse arrangement shown above. Apart from aesthetics why put the larger plants directly below the windows only, where even in the above mock up they are shown having already grown to where they will have to be beaten back every year? And why the short kinds at the corners, where there is plenty of unneeded overhead space for them to not occupy?

    Also the house is not geometrically symmetric making evenly spaced, formally clipped shrubs not a good match with it. The flowing shape of the bed and walk also call for a corresponding informal plant layout, with plant placement relating directly to the outlines of these features (as well as the design of the house). For instance a larger evergreen shrub would fit perfectly at the corner where the utility box is currently visible, the walk takes a jog.

    Comments (12)

    • PRO
      Yardvaark
      4 years ago

      My suggestions for a way to lay it out that does not smother the house in hedging and is easy to maintain. It's not a recommendation of specific plants, but of type, sizes, shapes and placement.


      rsbair thanked Yardvaark
    • Christopher CNC
      4 years ago

      This is a simple planting job any competent gardener or nursery professional can do with the common request of low maintenance and color. I'll just give you a plant list and you can arrange them in whatever manner pleases you. These are all easy care low fuss plants that should work fine for your Annapolis, Maryland (Zone 7) faces west conditions.

      Shrubs-

      2 or 3 Viburnum carlesii - Korean Spice Viburnum

      7 Ilex vomitoria - Dwarf Yaupon Holly 'Schillings' or similar

      Groundcovers-

      4 Juniperus conferta 'All Gold' or similar

      - with flowers

      12 Rudbeckia fulgida - Orange Coneflower

      Hardy Geranium groundcover of choice for filler



      rsbair thanked Christopher CNC
    • Embothrium
      4 years ago

      The viburnum is a medium shrub reaching 6-10 ft. tall in time so I don't see it fitting in that bed over the long term - it depends in part on just how small-growing rsbair wants the replacement plants to be.

    • Christopher CNC
      4 years ago

      Well in 15 or 20 years if the Viburnum carlesii should make it to 10 feet, it can be limbed up into a multi-trunked small tree for Yardvaark.

    • Embothrium
      4 years ago

      Habit of this species is not tree-like, one that lends itself to arborizing.

    • Christopher CNC
      4 years ago

      Well drats. It will just take a little more discipline to accomplish than.

    • PRO
      Yardvaark
      4 years ago
      last modified: 4 years ago

      "It would look a lot better with the evergreen shrubs at the corners and the "color spots" between, instead of the reverse arrangement shown above." "... why put the larger plants directly below the windows ... And why the short kinds at the corners ...?" Adequately answering those questions requires writing a book or doctoral thesis. A much easier way to "answer" which way "works" is to show your ideas graphically in order to make a side-by-side comparison. Even if no one is able to write a thesis explaining "why," everyone can still understand the results.

    • PRO
      Earth Essence Designs
      4 years ago

      There are no right and wrongs in style. It's about what you like and what makes you smile when you look at it. I live near you and understand your planting area extremely well. I would suggest that you take a look around your neighborhood or nearby parks and gardens (there are garden tours in your area in the spring) and consider what you like. Do you like an informal natural style with perennials and ornamental grasses, do you like seasonal color, or do you want to make sure you have a lot of evergreen in the winter? Do you want natives? Do you want as low maintenance as possible? Also, the most satisfying projects are the ones that you develop from your heart and soul. If you find a concept that makes your heart sing this project will be an absolute joy to complete and it will make you smile every time you look at it. For example, is there a favorite vacation spot you want to remember, a loved one or a pet that has passed. Do you want the style of the outside of your house to be a reflection of you the way the inside of your house is a reflection of you? Adding art or pieces of meaning is a great way to make this space you. You can have a verse of a favorite song or poem inscribed on a rock or a metal plaque. you can add driftwood as a reminder of the beach. You can use favorite plants from your childhood. You can use sculptures that symbolize something to you. I love adding boulders to landscapes (zero maintenance).


      Good luck. I hope this is a really great experience for you. If you find an inspired idea of what you want I'd love to hear it. I have several ideabooks on my Houzz site of favorite plants that would work for you.

      rsbair thanked Earth Essence Designs
    • gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
      4 years ago

      If there are thumbs up to "like" a posting, why can't there be a thumbs down to express displeasure with a posting??

      I for one could give it a pretty heavy work out :-)) Every now and again I encounter something that is so far off or or so inaccurate, it just makes me cringe.

    • Christopher CNC
      4 years ago

      I'm thinking a thumbs down button might diminish the quality of your rebuttals.

    • kitasei
      4 years ago

      May I pipe up for preserving an open view of that good looking stone foundation? Go ahead and plant a few judiciously sited shrubs but space them out and fill in with a very low ground cover, in a color that shows off the stone. It's a distinctive feature of the house that sets it apart from cheaper versions. Nice find and nice job so far!

      rsbair thanked kitasei
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