Some shrubs will regrow from just a cut off stump. And even if they don't, leaving the root mass (and stump) in place will make it very difficult to plant anything else in that location. It is best to remove as much of the underground portion as possible before replanting in that area.

If you like a shrub's location and unpruned size, some judicious pruning to reshape in a more casual way and then allowing to regrow may renew the garden faster than replacing. The rock mulch may well be a real hassle when you remove and replant since it is most likely underlaid with landscape fabric so that you will need to move aside rock mulch, remove landscape fabric, remove plants, replant and replace fabric and rock. And I already see some weeds in the rock mulch, so you will need to decide on a strategy to keep them under control. If you have the time/energy/money, consider removing the rocks and replacing with groundcover or an organic based mulch which IME may be easier to manage.

Or hire a garden consultant to view the site in person, make recommendations.

Thanks for suggestions. I'm itching to cut those topiaries down! We don't take possession until later in March, so we probably won't do much until this fall. If any plants are dead, they'll come out this spring.

You can just cut them off for now, but will have to remove the old roots if you decide to plant there again. The plants will either regrow, or the roots will die and rot away eventually.

Rather than destroying a plant thats only crime is that you don’t like it, would you consider listing them on Craigslist for someone else to appreciate? Many gardeners looking for an older/larger plant for their landscape will pay a reasonable fee AND help dig out the plants you don’t want. The one on the right doesn’t look as good as the one on the left but that may be due to the time of year in your zone. I just hate to see plants cut to the ground because the new owner wants something different.

Edenchild, I paid only the smallest attention to the shrubs, so not sure what condition they are all in. But the topiaries flanking the garage door have trunks about 4 inches in diameter. They've probably been there 15 or more years. I'm not sure transplanting is an option for them. Photo below from the realty listing.

Marcia

Marcia_m, I didn’t realise that you had quite so many or so large. The two in your initial photo seemed moveable. My apologies.

Btw, that’s a nice looking house. Congratulations on your purchase.

It is possible to cut them down and dig up the stump if you are able bodied. I use a spade, crow bar, ax and sawzall. If there are underground sprinkler pipes locate them first.

I like topiary and some shaped shrubs but the garden is too busy for my taste and I am not surprised you want something different.

While you are waiting consider what you might like to have instead.

Edenchild, no apologies necessary! We are looking forward (and dreading) the move. Some inside painting needs done (again, not my choice of colors!) but otherwise it's well cared for inside.

Emmarene, I do need to locate the sprinkler pipes before doing much of anything. The front faces southwest, so I'm looking for full sun plants. I like orange bird of paradise, but not sure what else would work. I'd love to put a Little Gem magnolia or something similar in that border. I'll also have to get permission from an HOA, so wish me luck! They will need to know what will be done, by whom and when, so my desire is to start by removing the topiaries. The community has a garden club and I plan to join it for help with ideas and landscape professionals. But that won't happen until later this spring.

Thanks again.

Marcia

Thanks for the suggestions, Emmarene. Those landscape are beautiful. I think you're right about the topiaries being Eugenia. I had a chance to take another quick look at the house/plants this weekend. I might let the topiaries flanking the garage be, or maybe make them more rounded instead of the current flat top look. I want to remove the ones in front of the porch. In my opinion, there are too many shrubs in the front border.

The crape myrtles in the front yard have been pruned in a way I don't like, especially since they lose their leaves in the winter and the branches are bare.

I'm not fond of the rock mulch, but it will be so much work to remove it!

I know there are bougainvillea pruned into round shapes in the front border, and there is a large orange bird of paradise that I hadn't noticed before. I saw some smaller Ixora pruned into squares--also, not a fan of that pruning job. Other IDs will have to wait until we are the owners.

Marcia