I like the idea of adding some landscaping back in front of the house . What type of trees are you thinking about using? I'd love to see a photo of what you've done in your backyard.

Maybe you can use some large stepping stones to place some containers on in front of the garage?

We needed to add some height to eight new rectangular containers that my SO decided we needed along the fence line between the landscaping trees that are already there. We already have hanging baskets along the fence + perennials + about 30 other containers/ceramic pots around the patio - we really didn't need another $1,000+ of new containers!

I told him that the perennials that are in front of these new containers would grow too tall and cover too much of the new planters. He thought I was incorrect - but admitted that I was right a few weeks ago as the perennials started filling in along the fence line.

So, he went to the local nursery and purchased some large stepping stones to place under the containers in order to raise them. They weren't expensive - I think you could do something similar in front of your garage area if you don't want to spend the money to extend the decking all the way across the front.

extra large planters

Your decision should be based on what looks good with your home architecture. I'd like to see how the home appears currently with the sod. Adding individual planters doesn't seem like the right way to proceed if your house is Colonial/Farmhouse IMO.

For starters I'd consider a ground hugging ground cover to eliminate the need for mulch and hide any grass clippings. That could be Pachysandra or ivy etc.

A Colonial/Farmhouse would be enhanced by Old Fashioned items like Snowball Bushes

DO NOT plant ivy or pachysandra unless you want your property overrun with them!!!! We inherited both of them in various parts of our property had professional landscapers and it was difficult to keep them under control. If your husband mows your lawn,then obviously you do the work yourselves. They are invasive species and also provide a hiding place for rodents and other pests.

Slow growing perennials would be much better, along with hydrangea which are so pretty.

Do not take landscaping tips from anyone that suggests you plant ivy.

Perhaps adding 2-4 large containers that include colorful flowers near the front door is easier and more visually appealing than a row of containers on a deck along the front of your house. Or hanging baskers along your porch.

There is time and effort involved with container plantings of shrubs or trees along with hand trimming with a weed whacker any lawn grass abutting the decking. Watering and fertilization frequency may be higher for container plantings. The container needs to be large/heavy enough so it doesn’t tip over easily. Every couple years you may need to repot into a larger container or root prune to maintain size.

Zone is key. If your potted plants are doing well in the back there's hope but even this is short lived as most trees will need planting or larger pots every few years. Where you live matters greatly as to how invasive a plant is. My pachysandra has not over run anything and holds the soil as I hoped it would. Still the easy answer to much of your fussy concerns is have hubby mow so the clippings blow into the lawn and use preen each spring for the weeds. I am not a mulch fan I would have planted low crawling ever greens vs mulch and perennials if I wanted no maintenance. Just an FYI grass clippings in mulch will brown quickly and never been seen again if just left. It's as good for the soil as the mulch is--better if you use dyed mulch. Anything you do adds maintenance. Edging will be your new nemesis if you move forward with your plans.

The grass clippings problem is fixed by driving in the opposite direction.

My suggestion being retired is to put in two LARGE planters on either side of the front door. Keep the front door the main accent. Change the colour each year to give you variety and you can even change them out seasonally. Keep it simple and lower the maintenance.

I have vinca all over a hill that I can't really work on it is evergreen and has pretty purple flowers in the spring . It will tend to wander so a good haircut once a year is a must if control is needed . Grass clipping break down and provide nurishment . I actually hate grass and all the upkeep needed to keep it looking good so we rpalced ours with gravel and just beds around the peremiter with perennials and big pots filled with seasonal plants. I think if you love the grass and can afford the never ending upkeep done then the big planters make sense for you

Ground cover works BECAUSE IT SPREADS RAPIDLY. However, it can be contained with an edge barrier and a weed whacker/edger.

I have spirea as my foundation bushes. They look bare in the dead of the winter but are stunning most of the year. They have pretty purple-pink flowers now. Spirea has many varieties- I have two at my side entrance that change from green to yellow to red, then lose their leaves for a couple of months. Depending on your planting zone, you might find one you like.

I love hydrangeas so there are 4 in my front garden against the house. The flowers are white and look great for many weeks. Rhododendrons are also very pretty if they will grow in your area.