I am having a hard time seeing that area as the front of the house. That's the front?

Anyway, I am not a pro, so want to follow the thread. I will comment that I'm not sure what the planters are purposed for in the picture...If you put dirt in them, then you are having dirt up over the weep screed...You don't want to do that.... all that moisture up against the walls, etc.

Also, you may want to google what zone you're in, so folks here can help you with plant selection, and does the area get morning or afternoon sun... In the photo it's in shadow...

What is a 'weep screed'? I had the planters built - originally the area was just flat dirt (where I planted flowers and a lot of lavender bushes). I guess I should back the planters with something to protect the walls from moisture, good suggestion, thanks.

I was thinking some kind of flowering bushes, like Jasmine at the back and then lower growing flowers in the front. I usually plant Sweet Peas in season that grow up the chimney surface on wire supports. Will want to do that again.

And yes, that's the front. One enters into the area through a front gate. My back yard is a hill.

Can you give us the dimensions of the beds? To me they look too narrow to fit much in. And I concur on the trouble that could ensue from damp and splashes due to piling soil up against the walls and next to windows. To avoid that you could not fill the beds to the top. But then you’ll have plants down in a hole , lacking light and air movement at their bases.

If lavender grew there before that that might work again if there’s sufficient space and soil depth. Sages, Cistuses, prostrate rosemary and similar low growing Mediterranean, drought resistant things might work.

https://waterintrusionspecialist.com/portfolio-item/stucco-wall-penetration-and-weep-screed-leak-detection-test/

I found an article about it. imho, as a non-expert (but a homeowner), I would never allow anything above the weep screed line. I'll wait for experts to chime in and tell you their opinions.

In your shoes, I'd remove those planters, and use gorgeous pots or above-ground planters to define an entry to the door, something tall to complement the big chimney, but primarily to keep people walking towards the door instead of to the pool.

Can you provide the dimensions of those planters? Just judging by the photos, they look far too tight to accommodate much more than some flowering annuals. And I also have issues similar to Mrs S with the proximity to the pool......the clearance is somewhat marginal at best. Someone leaving after dinner and couple of cocktails or glasses of wine could easily find themselves going for a swim!

TBH, the layout is bizarre and the entry not very welcoming. And filling too skimpy planters is not really going to help much. Was there a reason the pool was installed in the front yard and so close to the entry?

I have lived in SoCal most of my life. Lots are so often so small, that strange things are done. In fact, coincidentally, my parents once owned a house where the pool was in the front yard, though nowhere near the front door like this one. Maybe you can elaborate as to what this situation is?

In any event, depending on your budget, (and here's where I defer to professionals) I would be thinking about taking out some of that concrete and adding walkable flat greenery, so that you can create a path to your front door, and the whole isn't just gray concrete. I would think of the pool more as a decorative "water feature" . But the eye needs to go somewhere else. This yard needs some drama and big ideas.

Although I do realize people come here a lot because they don't have the budget for professionals, in your case, you really need one. You really need an in-person local landscape designer to help you with the vision. It could really pay for itself in property value in SoCal, and make it look as if a swimming pool by the front door was a great idea!

I found a wonderful landscape designer (not landscape architect though), for a very reasonable cost (under $3000) in SoCal, and she came up with wonderful design ideas and plant ideas. But more importantly for you, a plan for hardscape, house paint colors, lighting, walkways, trees, pots, even a wall or courtyard, all themed out for a Mediterrranean effect (I didn't want succulents either). To me, this is what you need. You can join your local Nextdoor to find recommendations for someone reasonable in your area, or ask neighbors with fabulous yards who they used.

So for some reason.. I was expecting a giant flamingo blowup floaty..

Only small plants would grow in those skinny beds and would only fit visually in front of the windows. For the brick and the white wall you may need to look into tall, two dimensional garden art or perhaps trellises.

tj

To Altair,

Sorry to disappoint, however you will find a giant pizza slice.

To all who have been kind enough to address my post, Oh People, ye of little faith!

First of all, I actually had the planters custom built - and I'm not embarrassed to say so. Secondly, I resurfaced the area with concrete on purpose. It's going to look great with what I have in mind. Lastly, aside from its location, you really can't fault me on the pool (which I had resurfaced and re-tiled. Besides, the pool was here when we bought the house.

Re the planters, there are lots of plants that do well in shallow soil, i.e., Agapanthus, Hydrangeas, Hostas, Calla Lillies, etc. (I had both Hydrangeas and Callas in my coincidentally also-shallow last garden and they did just fine.)

The space is obviously not to everyone's taste, especially in its present state, but I had a dream... When the whole thing's finished, I'll post it and we'll see what you think then.

By the way, if you think this area is problematic, you should see the other side of the pool - it's got two large (even shallower) rectangular planters built into a Trex deck. But let's not go there right now...

I do thank you for your comments, they've given me food for thought and some valuable information.

Your custom planters are unfortunate. Should have put your money into large pots instead. You have the room for big pots and you could have had large plants or even small trees to soften the space. Your skinny planters will limit the size of plants. The rest of the space looks good, nice job.

I have to agree with the others those beds are too small for any real plantings, all that concrete is not appealing and I would hve just done huge plant pots instead. As for what to plant go to your local garden center and talk to a pro about what grows well in your area. I would be looking for things that have color all the time.Anything to soften all that concrete.

Perhaps limit the plants in your planters to smaller, lower growing plants. If you can accommodate larger plants in pots I would recommend that.

Cannas, heliconias, agave attenuatta , bird of paradise, hibiscus, papyrus, tibouchina, bougainvillea, distictus, , .... opportunities are endless in your marvelous growing climate.

👍

Oops, I forgot to mention a kind of important piece of info - the planters are bottomless and built on dirt, not concrete. (The areas were originally just flat planting spaces.) So that adds several inches of growing depth,

Interesting seeing the comments regarding the pool being in the front yard. It’s quite common in our area. Mine is in the front yard also, placed further away from my entry however. My house is in the Palm Springs area, but I have 2 friends in Newport Beach whose pools are also in the front yard.

BTW ... just go to an independent garden center ( not HD or places like that) & get their suggestions. Often, they will offer design services free or credit the cost of it when you purchase from them .

Some of the comments state you should have added large pots instead. They’re not taking into account your dry climate. Plants in large containers, even in coastal areas of So Cal require lots of attention. Sometimes watering twice a day, I have some , but had to have a drip system installed . Not cheap to have done professionally, & malfunction occasionally.

Thanks so much K, 👍 on your comments

Thanks. My other home is on the beach here in Newport. My large container plants required drip irrigation, I couldn’t keep them hydrated enough when I was away for a day ot two. Good luck. I purchased my house in LaQuinta because the pool was in the front yard. It makes for a great entrance, especially at night!

I agree.

My brother and sister in-law live in Newport by the water. Their garden thrives (tho they don’t have many pots.) The homes on their island have small-ish yards but all of them boast beautiful plants and flowers - the roses are spectacular.