See tree on end. Plant one like that there with ground cover on bottom. Or just remove it. It seems distracting.

I think having the planter shrinks the grand entrance feeling. I would make it a grondlevel planter with seasonal flowers and maybe a small shrub in the middle.

take it out!

I would remove it.

I agree with removing it.

I'm not a big fan of it, but it's also empty. Some beautiful flowers with something taller in the middle might change the shape of it and make it appealing. I'm going to guess it's not original, which means there is probably cement underneath of it. Taking a row or two of bricks off might improve it, but you won't be able to plant any substantial bush or tree if you do because of the depth.

If you dont take it out, i would just put annuals that fill in and drape down... dont block the frony door with anything large.

HI -- As it stands now that planter says - not welcome ! And it just looks like a big uneven blob . Better to remove it and put landscaping to the sides of the entry walkway . I hope the paving is under that blob !! Just have some pots and or a planter or two on the sides and maybe some benches that will match the style of the house . Get an landscaping designer to help you if need be .

Taking it out completely was what I initially wanted to do, unfortunately, there isn't concrete underneath and patching that seemed like a bigger undertaking than I want.

Maybe it is just too tall. An easy solution would be to take it down to one or two brick heights and plant it with some low greenery and flowers. I agree you don't need something tall here.

You could also tie it in by edging your other planting areas in front of house with a similar stone.

If you took it out, maybe a fountain on top of gravel could replace it?

Remove it totally. Get a good concrete guy (or gal) to tell you how it can be patched. I suspect it can be filled in with concrete and then the whole area might be made to match with a concrete overlay.

If the foreground area is the drive,than everything from there up to the door could be ripped out and a paver or stone walkway up to the door could be added.

The concrete blocks just don't go with the style of house. Definitely remove it or minimize it in some way.

HI -- If there is no paving that continues under that pile , then I think instead of fussing trying to make that look like something .... I think you should just redo that whole front walkway so it can be leveled and a proper step up entrance made . Get it done by a pro so it is up to the stately look of your house . Get a few quotes !

Lower the height add a liner in put in a water/fountain feature to tie in with that gorgeous Exterior.

HI -- Some of the ideas such as fountains and such will not work because of the slope of the walkway .

Hi, you have a gorgeous home and that planting area detracts from it. I see the two downspouts may collect water in that area. Did something happen there where they hid it with the planter?
I would put in dark gray pavers for the entire entrance off the drive. Or stain the concrete with a design where planter is.

Beautiful grand home but the planter and the concrete surrounding it, spoils your house. I would remove it and totally start again with some pavers.

Remove it

Going, going, gone!

The stone color against the ground and house seems a bit of a contrast, so it sticks out and feels out of place. If you can't remove it, how about toning it down by changing the walkway with some kind of flagstones. Then some flowers and shrubs, in the planter. You should also address the gardening on the other side so the planter ties in with the rest of the landscape. I think it could still look great by addressing the surroundings to make it all go together.

Agreeing with previous posters, remove it. Something you may not have considered. If you have someone who is mobility impaired with a walker or wheelchair, how are they supposed to get in your front door? I don't see enough room on either side. If you take it out and put some pavers in, you can access your door easier.

Great thoughts everyone, and thank you! I love the paver idea and removing it completely. The pavers would break up the look of so much concrete because in front of that walkway is a circular drive. May just lower the heighth for now until we can move forward with taking it all out.

I like the fountain idea. Something grand.

Stone mosaic or a fountain could be fun!

Set a nice water fountain in the center. Put mulch and some flowers

Why would they put a planter in a walk way to a house?!!!!! I'd remove it for sure

So..... how was this resolved? Love to see photos!

Small weeping cherry tree would be gorgeous there, with some myrtle or other trailing groundcover underneath...

Here is the temporary fix we decided on. Small bubbling fountain w some ground cover. Ultimately, we would like to take out the concrete and put down some type of pavers. When we took the brick planter wall down we realized the hole that had been cut is very irregular. Were hoping the ground cover would sort of hide it as it fills in. We do like it better for now. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Your house is far too elegant for this obstruction.

I agree @alicejean. The plan will be to take it out completely. Just couldn't do it right now having recently moved in.

Nice temporary solution

That lovely home needs a nice entry, and that planter does not look like it could have been in the original design.