1. Remove the concrete block at the base of the steps
2. Add a walkway in its place with pavers
3. Trim the big tree or move it to the left as you face the house so it does not block the entrance
4. Remove the curved brick trim around the grass. It's not necessary and does not fit with the architectural style of the house.
5. Replace the lighting above the garage door and consider moving the lights from above the door to next to the door. See photo examples.
6. Add some shrubs or low trees to the right side of the driveway to balance the front of the house and obscure the trash cans.

While it would have been nice for the tree to be more center in the yard it is too late to move it. Balance it with large shrubs on the corners of the house. You can raise the tree's canopy by cutting off the lower branches. Then it is easier to walk under and doesn't block the entry view. The concrete pad seems to just drop off. Adding some natural shaped flagstones like steps would make a softer transition and could be extended in a curve around the tree. You could add plants around the stones. For low maintenance, use perennials to fill the beds around the deck and the tree.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to help me out here! Almost all of you have suggested balancing the right side of the garage by planting larger shrubs/trees. Any ideas of what kind of shrubs? My knowledge about plants is very limited. The tree's canopy i can thin out. Wish it wasn't so dead-center. It is almost in the way of the path leading to the entrance.
cctuttle: I'll try to photoshop the colors you suggested to get a better idea. What you see above the garage is windows. There's just enough space to have some planters there. I didn't quite understand what you said about the curvilinear planting bed. If possible, can you draw it on the picture? Thanks so much!
cctuttle, kathleen : can you show me some pics for reference please? especially examples of the pathway.
barstewart: I just bought some clemantis and was wondering where i could plant them. I guess I'll take your suggestion and plant it under the tree.
I really don't like the edge of the lawn near the sidewalk...Is there something i could do to make it look better? Or should I just try to fix the lawn? Thanks!

As for tall bushes I see some tall evergreens in the far left of pic #4. If you like those okay they seem to be growing well and might be a good choice for the right side of your driveway. Repetition is a good design tool. So, windows over the garage...what is the horizontal piece across the bottom of the recess? It appears to protrude beyond the recessed area - is it possible to dress this up with a balustrade like the porch but shorter - not to be a 'fake' balcony but more a window dressing. A frame around the window will help too with contrasting paint like other trim as mentioned before. I will work on the bed plan but may take awhile...

I would suggest some tall shrubbery or bushes to match the tree you currently have. With the tree in mind, I would trim it up so that it does not block your whole entry way to your house. I also agree that anything you plant on one side should be done to the other side as well. Hope this helps.

I live in Minnesota zone 3 and hostas are very hardy.

cctuttle: I'll try to take a pic of the window above the garage. The protruding part is very narrow. Thank you for working on the bed plan. No rush. I can wait. I dont think I can do everything at once. I'll first tackle the tree, the pathway and try to find something appropriate for the right side of the garage.
Thanks again everyone!

I can't figure out how to move picture I saved in my idea book to this comment but I'll take some outside in the morning if you excuse the winter damaged plants and weeds between my rocks.

Your block retaining wall planting bed should be level at the top, not follow the slope of the lawn. I also would remove the little round-top brick edging. What is the purpose of the gravel next to the driveway? Is it supposed to be a path? I'm sure people probably just walk up your driveway so I think I would just have grass there, since a path immediately adjacent to a driveway is rather redundant. Make a curved planting bed which includes the tree extending to the driveway on the left, and a coordinating one on the right with some shrubs, maybe mugo pine. If you feel you need to use edging, use a less obvious black edge.

rocketjcat: I didn't get the curved planting bed you suggested. Would it be possible to just draw it on the photos? Thanks for you suggestions!

kathleen MK: thanks! visuals would be so helpful!

Yank that thing going around the tree and the grassy plant. TAlternate some dwarf boxwoods and barberry's, put a few knockout roses, and finish it off with a couple impatients or whatever annual bright flowers you like.

tree needs to be thinned by trimming professionals. be careful with adding shrubs...they attract spiders and look unkempt. focus on changing railing in color, style and texture. create a walk path to extended porch. call attention to tree by adding circle seating or rock garden. add elevation near street to help level property. perennials in pocket areas. paint garage door a different color...same as front door, but different from house. paint trim on house. add furniture to porch and hang annuals.

rhododendrons would look great in the front of porch and they keep their leaves all year. Hosta is a great idea for under the tree but you need some punches of color…annuals would give you that

Darla: The grassy plants are lilies. Are you suggesting dwarf boxwoods and barberry for under the porch area, or under the tree? Thanks!

Lynne1954: What color paint would you suggest for the trims and garage door? Thanks!

More expensive ideas (sorry)....retaining wall to level out yard. Than replace grass with patio area and curvy path. Bulk up the patio and stairs. But yes I agree with thinning tree, extend walkway (brick/stone) down tree side of driveway, level planter, add vertical appeal with vines and such, and hedges down right side of driveway will be a great start. Drive around town and borrow ideas that you find you like, even go ask the owner if you don't know the name of something that attracts you. Don't forget to check or ask how plants look out of season and maintenance. Take these pictures into local nursery, they are sources.

Tammy: Thanks! I wish I could level out the yard :) But budget wouldn't allow it right now. Taking these to the local nursery is a good idea too!

I have a similar slope in our front yard, but mine slopes to the front rather than the side. I am planning on using lots of rocks to sort of terrace down the slope. If you drive around to a new construction area, there will be lots of free rocks. Grab as big as you can handle, place them with the flattest side down, and mound some earth around them. The best way to a low maintenance garden is to use plants that are native to your area--there should be some good info online or contact your local conservation authority. Dogwoods might be a good choice, they need lots of water initially but then are easy. Many birds will eat their berries in the winter, and the red branches offer year-round interest. Also, consider some native ground covers, wild strawberries ect.
Good luck!

Also when buying plants, be sure to consider their foliage (which is what you see most of the time). Google "The Renegade Gardener" coincidentally he is from Minnesota and he writes some great articles!

I would soften all of those angular edges and hardscape - something like this (you can keep the tree if you include it in an island of plantings starting at the front of the house and ending just beyond the tree - keep your island edges rounded and add dark brown mulch to contrast and soften all of the concrete): http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Curb+Appeal+Modern+edge+gives+home+dose+style/9884981/story.html

I would add lattice (with a frame) under the porch and enlarge the flower beds so you have one long curvy planting bed. If you are not a fan of weeding and toxic chemicals put down layers of landscaping fabric with mulch over it to help control them. You can space plants out using shrubs and/or perennial flowers, since you are on a budget add them one or two at a time (and look for them either early or late in the season to get the best deals)! The BIGGEST mistake people make when selecting plants is not reading the labels and planting instructions. Too many try to plant items that look good for a year or two then they have to go back and redo them because they didn't allow the proper spacing or plant them in right area...... The example on the left shows a beds with good spacing, the one on the right shows a bed that didn't allow for enough room and will need to be reworked.......

I lived in the NW for awhile, the one thing I would do is paint the house and open up the steps to the porch. It seems dark & containing. While some my scoff at the idea of painting the house a white or light color, being in the NW, you want things light & airy. Then just smack it with colorful plants. Please don't get rid of the tree, just thin it out. I know that painting & the steps are costly, but, I think you wouldn't regret it. I also like the others idea of changing the garage. There are really cheap ways of changing it, to the carriage style. I think it's just hardware & some lights the will match. It will look fantastic.

There are 3 planting bed options based on how much yard maintenance you want to do. If you want as little as possible then go with option 3 and basically lay flagstone for almost the entire bed. Place a wrought iron bench under the tree on the driveway side.

The house itself is washed out in the same color palette, I would pick a dark color and paint all the trim and the deck railing, posts & ballusters that color. Then I would thin the tree out some and remove some of the lower branches. The flowerpot on the concrete pad looks a bit out of place so I would move it. I would also remove the edgers and plant some hostas, a pop of color would be nice like a low growing flowering perennial. I think some pops of color will make a huge difference.

That tree is really in the wrong place. Cut it down and replace it with a tree on the left side of the property. Then put in a proper sidewalk. Its hard for guests to walk up the driveway when there are cars parked there and uninviting.

I would first address the retention wall on the left side. It is out of place and not level. You will probably have to make it two levels. Make sure it extents past the deck in order to insert plants in the beds and maybe a small tree on the far left.
I would not do any lattice under the deck area I think that stuff is outdated especially in the front yard.
You can do a paver walkway and stoop in front of the house. I would watch putting flower beds around the driveway unless you add about a foot of two of steppers. Flower beds make the driveway feel small really fast.
I think the tree is ok. Maybe have it pruned but it looks good to me.

Agree about lattice especially considering that when the stone wall is level with the bottom of the porch all you will really see is siding and when plantings are added very little of that will be exposed. Agree with thinning the tree and especially cutting off the lower branches but cutting it down all together is expensive so if pruning will help better to do that. It is unfortunate that the original planters of the tree did not think about how big trees grow...

Definitely need more color. There are a lot of plants that are shade tolerant besides hostas. I just did a landscaping project in a shady area, and didn't include a single hosta. We have all kinds out front. I didn't want a repeat in back. Look up shade-tolerant plants in your zone. I used astilbe, Jacob's Ladder, weigela, viburnum, hydrangea, fothergilla, azalea and others. Shrubs are relatively low-maintenance. A variety of flowering shrubs will add color and interest. Smaller shrubs cost less, but remember to leave room for them to grow.

A couple of hanging baskets on the porch also will add some color and appeal, and maybe a small pair of weather-resistant chairs and table - but not plastic.

check out adding some landscape curbing to the yard to add curb appeal, reduce maintenance and "frame" your landscaping.

cctuttle: Thank you so much for the design!! It makes so much more sense to me seeing the plan! Thank you!

erinandvictor: I know what you mean by needing to open and lighten things up here in Oregon :) I do love the carriage style door idea! Thanks!

Also love the carriage style garage door idea - something to make the garage door interesting especially since it is so prominent. Windows make a huge difference in the look of garage doors too inside the garage as well but don't know about adding windows to an existing door... Knowing now that you live in Oregon- rain rain rain. Perhaps instead of deepening the gold color of the trim as I suggested before because painting trim is easier and cheaper - much less paint - paint the siding if you can swing it. Your gold trim is quite a nice combination with red and charcoal gray so consider painting the siding a paleish very creamy with gold undertones yellow. It might almost look tan on a paint chip. Here are some exteriors in yellow just to give you an idea of how much more cheerful yellow would look as opposed to the current color. Some black accents as in the hardware for a carriage door would be great too. Maybe a wrought iron banister sometime in the future...

Finally got the picture of our winter damaged and neglected courtyard. Usually by this time flowers are crowding the flagstones. Everything here is a volunteer or hand me down. The idea for you is stacking some random or natural shaped flagstones where you have the square stepping stones. I have just a couple concrete blocks under the long stone to make a bench. You could use those stepping stones under some flagstones to make more of a flat step from the entry walkway. Then you could extend a flagstone path from the walkway around the tree to the sidewalk. For a more clean look it could be just sand or crushed granite around the stones but you would need some weed lock fabric under them. In the northwest you could probably grow some great moss and ferns around the stones. Look for something low and spreading.

I live in the NW. Hostas go dormant in the winter and regrow in spring. I had some trouble on the lake, but in town, slugs are no problem. Clematis is full sun, so planting it under your tree is not a good idea. It’s also a climbing plant 10-20’, so would grow better on a lattice or perhaps your porch.

The tree looks fine, though a little pruning would be good. What really doesn’t look good is your lawn. I’d replace it with a rain garden or ground cover and bushes. Your neighbors will appreciate eliminating the runoff from your yard. http://www.12000raingardens.org/

If you want to have low maintenance, use native plants. Your county conservation district sells them for very little: flowers, ground cover, bushes, and trees. Water the 1st year and then forget them. Here’s info about King Co., since more people live there than anywhere else in WA: https://green.kingcounty.gov/GoNative/Index.aspx

Ferns would grow well in the heavy shade under your tree and porch, though anything under your porch would need year-round watering, which I avoid. Under the porch, I’d put a raked Japanese rock garden (no plants).

I’d get rid of the edging, move the pot on the step to a safer location. and put in a path with stepping stones. Good luck!

I would definitely add some grasses (perennial variety) and maybe some hostas in front of the porch. They come back every year, they grow large quickly and they will take care of the gap between the ground and the porch without much work on your part. I also like a row of boxwood out in front for year round color, but not sure if you have those where you live. Like the big flowers on the Hydrangeas, too! They bloom mid to late summer and they get large enough every year to fill in that spot, as well. Good luck!

Karelina: I had no idea what a rain garden is! I just looked it u, and sounds like a neat idea! Thanks! I love ferns. But don't know why the local nursery said they wouldn't grow well outside!

Thank you for taking the trouble to show me examples. It really helps a lot! You are all very kind!

I had a rain garden installed last fall. I thought it was hideous! Now I love it. Besides being good for the environment, it’s really different. A little weeding, but no fertilizing or weedkillers required. I’ll try to remember to post a pic.

There are lots of different kinds of ferns. Check the King Co. website for native varieties that grow well outdoors. https://green.kingcounty.gov/GoNative/Index.aspx Sounds like you need a better nursery or check with the King Co. Conservation District for their next sale or the Seattle Tilth - in Wallingford forgot the street - both have plant sales at good prices with lots of native plants.

Definitely go native. They are hardier for your area. The stuff I get from wildflower groups out last the nursery stock. Also get to know neighbors with gardens. Pass along plants that they need to "weed out" of mature yards are good bets for yours.
I need to find homes from my irises taking over the yard and those baby redbuds trees I haven't weeded out of the courtyard rocks in my picture.

First, get rid of those pavers and then create curvy lines...look on Houzz for the "landscaping" ideas....I did and they have the most beautiful ideas, just sayin!

msreeka....I'm reposting images of your tree from your prior dilemma. It appears to have already been "topped". Not sure if thinning branches will help?

My advice may sound strange, but I think you need to accentuate the landing area below the steps. Make it a focal point. I think you need an L shaped planter there. SO I am going to recommend file cabinet planters. They are relatively cheap to make, you can paint them any color you wish, and you can easily attach your house numbers to them. http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/11/apartment-gardening/ I would then do away with hard lines from the edging and do a more organic look. Just reuse the existing edging in a more rounded manner... I would go for perennials and evergreens with color to the foliage for year round color. Think of Black mondo grass, flax, and Coral Bells mixed in with dwarf cypress or junipers... I am terrible at drawing online, but here is a general Idea... Also Hostas are great fun... I live in Seattle area think texture and color when it comes to foliage...

Love the planter box with house numbers idea. The concept is to draw attention to the entry which is what the planter box would do. Of course that eliminates a walking path beside the driveway so you have to decide if that is important to you. Still go with terraced beds under the porch.

Love the file cabinet planter idea. You could angle it and stack those rock stairs to the walk behind it. Make your house numbers really large on it. Maybe stenciled with reflective paint.

A kind word for the maple being attacked on all sides - it partially blocks your view of the street!

a. I agree with most of the comments on extending the front walk and improving the arrival/departure area at the front door.

b. It appears that you do not have room for a plant screen on the right, if that is their doorway to the back yard - so - either enjoy her perennials, her car, and all her frontyard activity, or install a screen fence, what ever height is permitted by the City. However, you may not be able to get out of the door of your car with the fence so close to the drive.

c. The key to success in your front yard will be a nice deck (to match the colors at the house), built at ground level adjacent to that handsome row of tall evergreens, with lighting, colorful plants in terracotta pots, comfortable seating, perhaps with a deciduous filter on the street side, perhaps not, lilacs would add fragrance. I can't wait to stop over for coffee out there.

Be sure to check with the City on what you can build in your front yard. Take your time and get it right. Enjoy!

cascio.offsite@gmail.com

Hello......I would start by first painting your door a dark blue or green. Maybe repaint or stain the deck to match the house color so it blends in. On another note paint the garage door a shade darker too.

If the tree could be removed then I would remove it. It really blocks the entire house.

Install a shade tree on the opposite side of the driveway, make that same side all lawn.

I would then bring the lawn to your driveway where the existing tree is, especially if you remove it.

Install a small 4-5' high section of fence to hide trash cans on right side. If you use a wood fence which I would suggest, keep this the same color as the garage door (a shade darker).

Install tall evergreens to block under deck (maybe skip laurels) and add some grasses, boulders and fill in the balance with perennials, ground cover and some annuals.

Add another small flowering tree by the other front corner down by the side walk.

Finally, put a few planter urns on concrete walk/step.

See my rough/quick sketch

Rolling green landscape design inc: thank you for the suggestions. I don't see the sketch you mentioned.

Your welcome. I guess the sketch did not up load. If you message me on my page I can email you the sketch if you like!