Yes your hedges and landscape in general could be improved with a well designed makeover. As for the bugs LOL. Get over it.

If you decide to start over with new shrubs be sure to choose dwarf kinds that won't get to window height anytime soon. And/or only plant the replacement shrubs between the windows and use the sections directly in front of each window for herbaceous (non woody) plants that will never reach the windows. Things like annuals, bulbs and perennials. Or ground covering plants - woody or otherwise - that form low carpets of dense growth that reduce the incidence of weeds when fully developed.

As far as selection of specific kinds is concerned you need to indicate where you are located for anybody looking in here to have any idea what might be regionally appropriate. And even then what you end up with is likely to boil down to what you encounter and respond to at outlets in your area - you may find that a good percentage of any suggestions given here are not present where you shop. So that doing the local browsing and shopping is likely to be more to the point than getting suggestions off the web. Unless you are willing to have plants mentioned shipped to you from elsewhere.

Pretty house! Looks like those shrubs may be past their prime and it would require some diligence to restore them to more natural-looking shapes. Starting from scratch could be very liberating. You've got some nice hardscaping with the path, fence, etc., so the house shouldn't look too forlorn without the mature shrubs.

Those all need to go away. Visit a local nursery and get the business cards of some landscapers in your area. Call them and ask for references so you can go visit properties they've done. Also ask if they're comfortable working with plants that are native to your zone. They'll be much more able to survive even if you're not adept at caring for them. Just be sure no invasive species are allowed. Keep everything open, airy and dwarf size. Be sure to add seasonal color with perennials, and plan to add some colorful annuals when the perennials seem to have faded

When you replace them, widen the beds so that the new plants don’t grow right into the side of the house, that will cut down in the bugs in the house as well as house maintenance. If you want suggestions for replacement shrubs, tell us where you are (nearest big city is ok).

IMO nice foundation plantings are a perfect way to add landscaping but they do take work for sure and I agree larger beds with space between the huse and the plantings will help but bugs are something that IMO we need if we want to have a nice garden,BTW when evr you plan on a redo of the exterior please remove all those shutters since most of those windows should not have them and the single windows need much larger shutters . Adding plantings along the walkway is nice way to add color too

I would definitely remove the plantings around the house and start over. The planting beds should be wider so plants are not up against the house. I don't mind the shutters since they act as trim around the windows. House would be too plain without them.

I would definitely improve that landscape! Check with a local garden center - they might develop a landscape plan free of charge if you buy the plants from them. Can't suggest plantings as I don't know what zone you are in - but whatever you do, vary the heights, textures, colors - and add some curves/depth to the landscape you create (instead of being right up against the house). I'd also add a few trees to the yard.

Agree shutters are overkill and house has plenty of angles so would not look plain without them. And it would look bigger without them. Even if they were kept but painted the same color as the siding it would be an improvement.

how about eastern red cedar

It's not really a landscaping issue, but I like the shutters. They seem appropriate on this style of house. Maybe the front picture window isn't the best candidate for shutters, but the overall balance might be thrown off without them. No offense intended to those who adhere to stricter shutter guidelines.

Sorry I’m new to this! We’re in a suburb outside Boston, MA. I love the shutters, I think it gives it some New England charm where it would otherwise look plain.