Could you stand beyond the drive way and take a picture showing the entire house?

Sure I'll get one tomorrow!

Look on craigs list. I bought a lot of trees and bushes very reasonable off a lady who just loved to garden and needed to thin out what she had. Also Lowes regularly puts perfectly heath plants on clearance.

does this are get full sun? partial? looks pretty shady to me..

what zone or area are you in?

Yes I told him lowes or Home Depot for sure. He just needs to know what to get

Sorry I didn't include. Eastern exposure. Zone 6.

It is difficult to tell someone what plants and flowers to get when: there appears to be elevation issues, no front steps, no clearer pictures of the entire front(stand back and take pictures), shutters are on the front door - huh....He needs to be further along in his renovations before landscaping.

HI -- First get the yard graded to level . Then build a stone retaining wall at the road side with some stairs down to yard level . Then decide what kind of landscaping plants do you want and what style . Do you want low care and simple . Do you want a mixture that will need more gardening time .Do you want a lawn with sidewalk at entrance or just all flagstone paving patio with pots and planters . Low light or very sunny or part shaded ?

@lefty47 There is actually a retaining wall built - and older stone wall but in good shape. He definitely needs low maintenance. And he is re-doing the walk as well. Full sun for several hours a day as the sun moves from east - this is eastern exposure - to west. Thank you!

Just got more pics:

Can he stand back and take the entire frontage, so we can see the entire front of the house in one shot.

Just texted him!

Here's a wide shot:

The first thing to address is drainage. The house is below the driveway. Water seeks the lowest level. Get started by checking how water runs in that location (hose on driveway for a start), then do the same on the other sides of the house. If you see a problem, build permanent corrections as needed. Check the entire foundation for previous water damage or infiltration signs such as stains or crumbling mortar. Are you in a snow zone? Tropical zone? Anywhere you get heavy rains? Better to be informed rather than ignorant of these issues.
If every area drains away from the house nicely, then you can start thinking about landscaping.

@felizlady, thank you. He's been there a couple of seasons (working on interior) and there have been no drainage issues. Zone 6.

Drainage is #1 issue here. The cement catch blocks are turned so water is directed to the foundation. Big problem. Maybe someone installed french drains? With the trees and foliage I see, I practically guarantee you will have water problems without carefully figuring out what you have and how you manage it. Permeable surfaces will be important and grading so water drains away from house and doesn't waterlog anything you plant. Once that is done and understood, we can talk about plant materials.

Ditto....To all of the drainage issue comments. I'd get a landscaper in there pronto for some advice.

In lieu of the drainage, what is he thinking of for front steps?

Okay he is going to make appts for this week if he can get them. In the meantime, I noticed Home Depot is doing 25-50% off shrubs and trees. I was there and got inspired but I really don't want to lead him down the wrong path. Can you possible venture some ideas so he can take advantage of that sale while he waits for the work to be done? Zone 6, Eastern exposure, still hot sun at noon, low maintenance. Thanks if you can!

Do you have a deer probIem?

How are guests going to get to the front door? Will a pathway be created? If so, Gravel? Pavers? Concrete?

Boxwoods, Alberta spruce, Inkberry, Spirea, Coreopsis, Marigolds, Barberry and Ornamental grasses are some plants that come to mind that are low maintenance.

Stay consistent with the colors. As below.

Another with colors that are consistent.

More inspiration:

Simple with mopheads(yellow), and shrubs

I agree that you are putting the cart before the horse. Drainage and walkway decisions first. To shirlpp list, I would add astilbe, yews, hydrangea. But execute a walkway plan first, otherwise you are wasting your money buying plants when you don't know where to plant them.

Thank you! Yes, deer. Adjacent to a state park.
I've asked him what he plans for walkway