Was wondering if I should use something tall beside the steps. What is the evergreen beside the stepsin the photo?

With your house I would think symmetry and layers. Seasonal flowers, evergreen low growing hedge, short roses that can be trimmed back below the front hedge against n winter, larger encore azaleas with rosemary near the steps to make it smell great.

Hardscape comes before landscape. Decide on the path and have it installed before landscaping.

I'd vote for symmetry and a traditional look, which would suit your house

One observation... I would recommend dwarf Japanese Maples as an all around good color addition for little work. It does depend on where you live as to what colors. We had two flanking the corners of our porch in Michigan and it brought such lively color to the outside of our house in fall. Again as earlier stated, hardscape first, then add in the plants.

Another suggestion, two large pots of rosemary at the base of the stairs.

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/montclair-nj-traditional-porch-new-york-phvw-vp~624668[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/montclair-nj-traditional-porch-new-york-phvw-vp~624668)

Something like this??

So far I like all the comments. I did not realize hardscape before landscape. Why is that? I live in zone 8 with hard packed sandy soil. Any specific shrubs?

Hold on - I'll post in a minute. Don't want to loose your post.

The pic/suggestion of vstavay is the best one yet. This is another option:

Front sidewalk to driveway with wide space on opposite side for front patio.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/6a/7b/ae6a7b680f3c66317decb42330bbefae.jpg

My experience landscaping is a bit north, zone 6-7, here is a simple plan. You can get encore azaleas which will bloom 2-3 times a year and you may be too far south for dogwoods but this should help get you started.

Also carry the landscaping around the house & bring it at least 3 feet away from the foundation (not up against the house). This allows the plants to breath and receive the proper rainwater. It also discourages termites. I also recommend putting gravel behind the plantings in that 3 feet to discourage vermin from burrowing under the house/foundation. The biggest mistake people make in landscaping is putting the plants up against the house. They then don't grow properly, look off from the street and get ripped out within a decade.

Hardscaping first is key so you can layout where your walk ways will go and can get the right size plants in the right areas. Take kitchen twine and stakes and layout your pathways of how you want people to approach your house, directly, or more like a pathway that meanders a bit. Once you have your hardscape figured out, then lets talk color. What colors do you prefer? Then you can look up what types of plants grow best in your area and also what types of low maintenance or xeriscaping is possible if that is your desire.

I personally prefer perennials but there are lots of options out there.

Do you want all perennials and no foundation plantings? And if so, what colors in perennials (blue, pink) or (red & yellow & orange)

bellbergmaggie, I like the pic and think I am leaning in that direction. just spoke to friend with tractor that can help me get started. I also think it would be great to go around the side but figure it may be a second phase.