Where are you located and how much sun does the area get?

tj

Hi, added to the description! We're in Zone 6 & the area is a mix of sun and shade throughout the day.

Just be aware that anything that grows fast will keep you busy trying to keep it in check. Instead, you could install a trellis in front of the wall and grow evergreen vines. They will cover the area more fully and be easier to keep in shape.

Alternataively, you could make the whole area, grass and all, into one glorious garden with a mixture of shrubs and grasses for winter interest plus native plants with interesting flowers and seed heads. Or you could plant the whole area up with just native hydrageneas or just low native grasses. Or ... Think of hiring a landscape architect for ideas and guidance.

Remove the shutters

Paint the gable

Stain or Paint the concrete foundation

Select low up keep shrubs for the face of the foundation

Get a new larger light for the entry

Select new house numbers

Find a better location for the mailbox so the postman doesn't have to walk up your stairs.

zone doesnt tell us much.. as z6 is about half the US.. big city name ... are you z6 traverse city MI... or down south MO????.. or CO ... etc ... very very diverse ...

i see the snow.. but does your ground freeze... or does it freeze behind that giant retaining wall ...

ANYTHING fast to grow.. will not stop growing at some magical height ... and then you have to start pruning or shearing...

you can use a couple trellises.. and grow annual vines.. like morning glory ... for a fast hiding of the wall ... and after a few years.. the shrubs you plant.. can get established and start ding the job... a perennial vine option would be clematis ....

trying to do it all in one season will either end in failure.. or spending thousands to buy instant gratification.. and all the power to you.. if that is the direction you go...

but do think outside the box of immediate fixing if the problem ... it will be a multi year process.. most likely ...

ken

oh.. and how deep or wide is the bed? ... house to curb i mean ...

OMG.. just read yvonnes answer ... but for the grass suggestion [or hiring a landscape architect for this tiny job] .. great minds.. lol ...

and the hell with winter interest.. i see the snow.. you are either staying inside and hiding from the snow.. or heading to the mountains for skiing.. you aint sitting across the street or on your porch gazing at ugly brown sticks during winter. . lol

ken

That’s easy. Paint or stain the foundation.

Good idea to paint the foundation and even put up stone veneer. Also change the railing to something that runs horizontal instead of the vertical spindles. I would paint the garage door the same color as the foundation- it’s not attractive enough to make it a focal point. Now you can do attractive landscaping without having to worry about hiding the foundation. It’s a really cute house!!🙂

I love Laurels for evergreen bushes that conceal and add privacy. There are different varieties that work better for sun access. Laurels are agreeable to your zone. Good luck!

Here are a few suggestions:

Ia m with Beverly in this case . How much gardening do you want to do? I live in xone5-6 in Canada and may things grow well here .