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I have a landscape design challenge. Here is the before and after.

5 years ago

I need to replace the overgrown shrubs we just removed. Looking for design ideas.




Comments (15)

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I could understand a groundcover bed on a slope so that you don't have to run a mower on it. It's shape would more or less follow the slope. And it could even have small trees if their canopies are raised up enough to permit a view to beyond. But I can't understand a shrub bed in what is, essentially, the middle of the yard.

    One would want to get a sense of how this area ties to the foundation planting in the background, as seen from the street side.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    We need context so pics of the whole space as it relates to the house.

  • 5 years ago

    The shrub border on a slope in the middle of the lawn is likely because the house is downhill from the street above by 20 to 40 feet it looks, above the former shrubs. That would give the house entry privacy from rubberneckers and possibly protection from headlights shining in the front window.

    More info is still needed to properly assess the situation.

  • 5 years ago

    I am adding additional photos from different angles for context.



    "before"


  • 5 years ago

    So it looks like you took out a group of low growing junipers that were scalped on the uphill side. Now what? What are your desires, objectives, needs? I had a juniper hater take control of an HOA maintenance committee this year and he murdered most of them just because they were junipers with no plans or money possibly to fill the gaping holes left in the landscape.

  • 5 years ago

    I’m open to any ideas as long as we don’t get erosion when it rains heavily. I fuming junipers. Looking for low maintenance plantings if possible.

  • 5 years ago

    "I fuming junipers."?

    You just want to replace the junipers with something other than junipers and you have no other preferences? We'll need a climate zone and general city/state location. I'm seeing an east coast zone 6.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    You have a lot of different things going on. Because the spot it directly in front of the house (as viewed from the street) I'd be inclined to simplify the area and calm it down. And keep it low. So low, sun tolerant groundcover would be my choice. Within that category, there's be options on height and character, dependent, of course, on what the conditions are offering. It could be 1' high, 3' high or in between, depending on what you choose. But groundcover will automatically limit the height whereas shrub masses usually keep getting forever taller.

  • 5 years ago

    Sorry about autocorrect. I meant to say I don’t mind junipers.

  • 5 years ago

    Here’s the “after” front curb side view. Thanks for all the thoughtful comments.

  • 5 years ago

    This picture is very helpful. You even removed the tree on the right corner of the front room. The front entry is much more visible now. Do you want to keep that? Is that your goal? A zone and general location will still help in plant suggestions from others.

    For now I am going with three Blue Globe Spruce, Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa' and Geranium 'Rozanne' as a groundcover.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    If the area receives sufficient sunlight, groundcover or carpet junipers would work. These stay extremely low....often less than 8"....and will not develop that real estate eating, rampant growth of more shrubby forms of juniper (and never require pruning). One of the most low maintenance planting approaches I can think of :-)

    I am always cautious about suggesting a blue spruce as very few climates allow it to grow well without being decimated by needlecast.

  • 5 years ago

    In response to the question re the openness of the entry area, I’m flexible.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Flexible would not be my word of choice.

    "Mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go

    Nothing really matters
    Nothing really matters to me
    Anyway the wind blows

    Mama mia let me go."


    Just plant what I told you to.