Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_33713008

Landscape help please

2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

Can someone please give me ideas or drawings of landscape ideas to make our house look better. i hate looking at it :( we are in Lower Alabama


Comments (26)

  • 2 years ago

    That's pretty hard to do without any idea of the setting, what your house looks like and what direction it faces. Can you provide photos?

  • 2 years ago

    Yes, im sorry i keep adding a picture and it wont save for some reason

  • 2 years ago

    You can post a pic in a comment below - When you upload the photo, it will initally look grey - wait till the dull color appears in the photo before hitting submit

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Wait for the full colour to appear.

  • 2 years ago



  • 2 years ago


    I have removed the basket ball goal and the shutter things on the side of the windows. as well as the decorative things on the garage windows.

  • 2 years ago



  • 2 years ago

    I was thinking on pulling all of the bushes out. but I wouldnt know what to put back in. I think they look terrible


  • 2 years ago

    Yes, remove them all. I can't really see the front door - but maybe a railing once you remove the hedges.

    A landscape plan is needed as well.

  • 2 years ago

    Start by figuring out what the bushes are. We can do it here with foliage close ups. Many shrubs can be cut back severely when they are overgrown, and look much better for the cost of a pair of loppers and an afternoon. Not all, but many.

    Too many people here want to treat shrubbery like a sofa - if it's too big, there isn't much sense in cutting it in half.

  • 2 years ago

    Your bushes hide your very nice stone façade, For a start, completely remove those on the right hand side to make your entrance more inviting. Paint your door a lovely blue.

    Complete remodel of an existing Eichler home and an addition · More Info


    With the help of a garden designer familiar with shrubs and perennials in your planting zone, create a garden bed on the right with a well chosen mix of high and low plants.

    Craftsman exterior · More Info


    If possible, prune your left hedges way down so that windows can be viewed entirely . Check online on how and when to prune the type of hedge you have.


    As budget allows, make a wide patio/walkway from driveway to entrance with same type of stone as your façade.

    Patios · More Info


    Other things to improve curb appeal:


    --Power wash roof


    --Paint garage door and all trim a warm off white as in the preceding house in the photo.


    --Add a beautiful garden bench near the opened up entry.

    vidaXL Banana Bench 47.2" Solid Teak Wood · More Info


    Cottage Patio/Landscaping - Essex, MA · More Info


  • 2 years ago

    If it is in the budget a professional landscape/hardscape plan is needed. It will create amazing curb appeal.

  • 2 years ago

    @ mad_gallica: I agree. I suggest just removing the right side bushes to open up entryway. Then drastically prune down the bushes on the left in the best season for doing that. That would open up the front so we could see stone and windows on that side. Then evaluate. No need to toss them all at once.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    You asked 3 years ago about improving the front and the house looks the same as it did then.

    This is your 3rd posting asking for curb appeal help.

    Are you going to cut down/cut back/cut some of those bushes?

    What do you want? Are you following the advice?




  • 2 years ago

    I followed the advice to remove all other things. I put that in the comments because I do not have an updated picture on hand. The only thing not removed yet are the bushes and I would like to know what to put back before digging them up but thanks

  • 2 years ago

    Post some current photos. And a couple of close ups of the shrubs so they can be ID'd and suggestions made to prune, move or remove.

  • 2 years ago

    Ill try to get some tomorrow. they are azalea bushes

  • 2 years ago

    Some tips on pruning azaleas, if you end up keeping any. One thing to consider is the additional work of having more landscaping than your row of shrubs. I love gardening and spend a lot of time at it, but not everyone does. Be sure your new plan is manageable for the amount of time and expertise you have. https://www.southernliving.com/garden/azalea-pruning-tips

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Keep the azelea bushes on the left since it will give you both color and greenery year around on that side. But prune them next spring after flowering, not now in summer or you'll ruin them. https://www.gardendesign.com/shrubs/azalea.html#:~:text=This%20versatile%20shrub%20can%20be,screening%2C%20or%20in%20foundation%20plantings.

    Here's how the left side could look--lower height, more natural shapes so they're not just a straight wall, and some light flowering groundcover in front of them. But wait until next spring or you'll damage the bushes if you prune now. If ou don't have time for tending an azalea bed, then just prune them down in natural shapes.

    Focus your attention and budget on creating a more open entryway by removing the bushes on the right and hiring a garden designer to help you plan a garden bed of shrubs and perennials that don't require too much mainenance. Maybe one or two azeleas from the hedge can be placed within the bed with a variety of other shrubs. It's too hot to do much new planting right now, especially in Alabama, but you can start planning, power washing your roof, adding a lovely porch bench, and so forth.

    Long term, consider installing a flagstone walkway that echoes the stones on your façade.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    You have a blank canvas. Would suggest you hire a landscape architect or a landscaping company that offers design as well.

  • 2 years ago

    Geez. People weighed in three years ago? Most of us who researched information for you today didn't know that. We don't even have a current photo of your house! Did you ever remove all the shutters as suggested three years ago? This is very frustrating. Here is how to post a Design Dilemma without wasting everyone's time.

    You need to show CURRENT space. In the case of a house exterior, you need to show house from a distance away to see the setting and neighboring houses, then house close up, including garage, fences, etc. If asking about color, add a very closeup shot of stone work, bricks, etc.

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6417709/unofficial-design-dilemma-boot-camp


  • 2 years ago

    yes @housegal200 I put all of that information in the comments. Everything mentioned to me in previous post was about things like shutters, the basketball goal, not landscape. Before I rip out the bushes I would like ideas on what to put back in. There have been no drastic changes to photograph but I also stated yesterday that I would get an updated photo since you feel like would help "not waste time"

  • 2 years ago

    You asked about "curb appeal" three years ago and now. Curb appeal includes landscaping! You have time to defend the old thread and now the new but can't go out front, take a picture of the house from a distance, then closer up, then the stone façade? Some of us didn't see the "before." Those who did said, why didn't you work on landscaping if you wanted better curb appeal. In any case, you have more than enough great suggestions to go work on curb appeal, mainly landscaping. That's what curb appeal includes!

  • 2 years ago

    that is correct. I am at a job therefore can not take a picture of my home at this time. Assuming you would want one that is not in the dark as well. As soon as I can I will post. I have updated based off each suggestion given by others. The landscaping has not been done for reasons stated above. Not sure why this upsets you so much. hope you have a great day


  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    My recommendation is based on the assumption that you want some more flowers, but don't want to spend a lot of time ongoing on gardening, since you are working. I'll assume that the azaleas are nice when they bloom.

    I would look at the root area of the azaleas and identify where the original individual azalea shrubs were planted. Remove the ones in front of the 2 left side windows. Let the one on the farthest left get taller. Prune the rest so there is space between them, and they are individual bushes. Prune them in a rough cone shape with a rounded top, but shorter and smaller than you want them, because they will shoot out new growth. I would prune them now to get them started, although this will mean that for 2025 you will not have any flowers on them.

    Then plant annuals under the windows.

    This is an economical plan, not a lot of effort ongoing to keep it looking nice.

    I would paint the garage door a darker and more dull colour, so it doesn't pop out. Your last year's photos showed another building to the far right. I'd paint any white paint on that building the same dark, dull colour.

    Paint the front door a brighter, lighter colour. For a great look, it could be the same colour as the annuals.