I would do 3 rows of plantings. Tall grasses against porch, medium height (lavender for colour & scent) and then lowest in front. Take your pic to local garden centre for help. Beautiful place to sit!

I would not do rows. Imo they look artificial and lack interest. I’d use the different heights but have them looking more natural by planting in bays and promontories. You also need to define the edge of the bed with a good sharp cut.

Agree. You don't do anything until you get that opening closed off.

After that, if the house faces south, I admit to a weakness to creeping juniper. It's low, evergreen, and pretty adaptable. Though that porch looks high enough that I might want something tall enough to indicate the edge.

you will succeed.. when you can define a goal.. and then you move to accomplish said goal ..

do you want to garden??... or do you want to plant water for one year.. and then forget about it?... perennials and shrubs..

do you want a riot of color... changing every year.. annuals..

etc .. define some goals..

give us a big city name.. MA varies.. and is not a zone...

try to contemplate mature sizes of shrubs... and plant them far enough away form the house.. so you dont have to shear them 3 times per summer ... use a search engine to find such...

plant some smaller trees or shrubs in the lawn.. rather than right across the foundation

understand that foundation plantings are planted to hide the foundation... NOT ON THE FOUNDATION... nothing that gets 6 feet tall should be planted 2 feet from the house..

i might be better to offer pix of the whole front lawn.. so we can suggest unified plantings

why are you removing what looks like a very decorative brick sidewalk...

are you a gardener.. or do you want to become one???

ken

Current situation- construction out back has ruined the front. Metrowest MA - about 25 min from Boston. I am definitely not a gardener, though I wish I was!

Some option to go

Though I can’t speak to specific plantings for your zone, I like the addition of curves and asymmetry on a very symmetrical house like yours.

We were planning to have the walk run right next to the planter bed. So only grass on the other side. Bad idea?

The walkway was removed, do you want to spread it all over the lawn? The color of the walkway combined with the color of the lawn is still very good. If you just want to decorate it beautifully, I think artificial turf can be considered, after all, it is green all year round.

Natural grass is also a good choice if you want to enjoy mowing your lawn.

I think artificial turf can be considered

Says the artificial grass seller......

More ideas

or

I’m a hydrangea fan, especially the Annabelles. They are sooo easy to grow and look so good from spring to summer. I’d just line the whole front porch with them. They make a mini if you want something smaller.

Annabelle:

I like Annabelle’s suggestion because mass planting have such an impact.