Front Yard Refresh in Zone 7A – Looking for Shrub & Perennial Ideas!

27 days ago

Hi all!

I'm looking for advice on overhauling the landscaping in the front of my house. I’m in Zone 7A, and the house faces east, so it gets great morning sun.

To the left of the front door, there’s a holly bush I plan to keep. The right side of the door is a much larger area—about 8 feet deep by 40 feet long. I’d like to keep the pink azalea that’s currently in bloom, but the rhododendron and a group of azaleas under the two windows aren't looking great and may need to go. I'm also considering removing the pachysandra in that area. The dirt patch in front of the house is from a recent tree removal, so just ignore that.

My goal is to have mostly shrubs or perennials, with a nice mix of blooms and greenery. I prefer a full, natural look, and I’d love recommendations for plants that are hardy, low-maintenance, and thrive in sunny conditions.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

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Comments (5)

mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
27 days ago
Where? Zone tells us approximately zilch.

Soil pH would also be nice to know, but isn't necessarily something people know. However, if we know WHERE you are, we may be able to make intelligent guesses.
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rachelk456
Original Author
27 days ago
I do not know the soil PH. The house is in a Philadelphia suburb.
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tracefloyd
25 days ago
last modified: 25 days ago
A local nursery will have plants that thrive in your Zone. Ask their advice. Not a big box store.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
24 days ago
As soon as I saw the close-up of the stone, I thought Philadelphia suburb! I spent most of my life there (Gladwyne). Pretty house. I suspect that gable on the left was an add-on.

Chances are your rhododendron is getting too much sun. I would try moving it. The same could be true for the azaleas, so try moving them, too, or add a couple of shade trees out front.

Not sure exactly where you are, but native plant nurseries are a wonderful resource. If you are near Newtown Square, Mostardi's is a wonderful nursery, although not strictly native. Redbud Native Plant Nursery looks amazing, although I have not been there, but would go for sure if I still lived in PA.
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PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
23 days ago
Here are some ideas for your area: