Why not just cover it with the same rock/gravel mulch you have in that area. You could use a distictive rock or pot to mark where it is when you need to find it. Thats what we did with ours.

When we were told we needed to add another tank to our septic system I had visions of a placement much like yours with my hosta garden bed surrounding the tank lid so I didn't have to mow around it. Alas that wasn't to be. All the homes in my subdivision have two of these cement rounds in their lawns. No one cares. LET IT GO! The rock is a nice camoflage....

Thank you for responding.
I would like to make decorative since it is right by the front door and picture window

If it was further away in the yard… I wouldn’t care either. I could put a plastic fake rock over it too I suppose
I co

The sundial is cool

Rock over it and a few pots around it.

Right now there’s too much there which leads to a cluttery, jumbled look. Personally I wouldn’t put pots in this setting.

The overall feel is rocks, so stick with similar rocks. The walkway is nice and the gravel groundcover is nice. Reduce the big rocks and set something nice on the septic lid like the concrete sundial. Less is more.

A couple big fake rocks would do nicely. Then you can rearrange the gravel area the way you want it. I'd start by collecting all the garden decor items into a temporary location, mark out the location of the blue rug junipers that will grow back with luck, and rearranging the larger rocks and pots, ready for spring when it comes to MN.

I know it isn't the question, but I hope those junipers are not over or too close to that septic tank. While they have a lot of shallow roots, they also have some pretty serious tap roots that over time will try to find it's way into the tank and possibly the lines.

Interesting about the junipers
We have two tanks… lower and upper and the upper has a couple of blue rug junipers just a few feet away. Funny, several people have been here to service the tanks over the years and no one has ever mentioned that.

This afternoon I will clear the ground clutter and take new pictures

Tank pumpers probably wouldn't mention it unless the tank is getting damaged or if they see actual root masses inside the tank. Not really their job or their monkey to comment on the wisdom of landscaping. It's just something that could potentially happen. Your tap roots might decide to go down next to the tank rather than invade it. In general it's better not to go more than a few inches deep with root systems over or very close to tanks.

I've never had junipers, but I've driven past old abandoned homesteads in Minnesota. Only two things indicate that someone once lived there: lilac bushes and junipers, a century old. It makes sense that they would have a significant tap root!

As for the septic cover - I had to look for it in the photos - it didn't jump out at me.

I love the pair of Heron sculptures in front. All other cutesy decor belongs in the back yard, not at the entrance IMO.

Okay took almost everything away, ( frog fountain is heavy so I only want to move it once.

Or I could use this fake rock but it looks kinda tacky?

Ps I can’t add any more plants…. Hard clay underneath and the plants you see are a sedum which practically grows on air

Thanks for the update. The yard looks very tidy and makes a nice impression now.

I think the fake rock can go back where it was. The covers will be well hidden with the rocks you have, placed around and on top.

Can you try a gray fake rock instead of reddish? Bury the edges with real rocks.

Which are your favorite decor items? Herons? Frog fountain? Metal items? Do you prefer whimsical, classic, or all-natural decor?

I like the herons and we do get birds in the “stick birdhouse to the right of them.

The frog fountains from my brother and the birds like bathing in it and getting way.
No to whimsical. More natural.
The metal frogs are also from my bro but can be moved to the backyard

Will suggest as other have that you install an assemblage of smaller sized boulders that can easily be removed when the cover needs to be opened.

*water not way”
Ps. FYI..The sundial is NOT mine. Someone sent a picture of theirs and I liked it.
I could move my frog fountain there.

So much better I agree maybe not a red fake stone. I ihave had junipers on a space for 40 yrs and only a few feet from a septic not one issue the tap root ususlly goes down not sideways .

Will change out the rock but need to do some looking around to find a quality one. If I order one online and it doesn’t look good, it’s expensive to ship it back.

If anyone can read a reputable place online,
I’ll check them out

I am so happy the birds are using the birdhouse and birdbath so I agree don't touch those.

If I do a gray stone, same height or maybe a lower one

looks so much better with clutter gone. are there no large natural rock in your area to use over septic cover?

Well there are plenty of natural large rocks in the picture …. However a septic system must be pumped and inspected every two years so it is best to have easy access to it.

I have thought of trying to put a clay flower pot upside down over that little white stand a nd then putting a pot with flowers cascading down along with a few other pots.
Any other ideas?

Short answer: rake the stones back to form a mounded border, create a mounded soil and mulch bed and plant more sedum to break up all the stones and to tie to the upper soil bed.

Long answer: group smaller fixed items together to create cohesive focal points. For example, after laying a flagstone base in the semi-circle of boulders on the right, move the fountain and large reddish brown boulder over to feature your tallest item.

Place a lower, deep bowl where the fountain is now, add an evergreen plant and surround it with sedum or flowers. The hardscape desperately needs plants and fewer, larger plantings will have more impact.

The mulched area is also part of the composition. A couple of large bowls and evergreens which can be seen from all directions will fill in space. A longer bench can add color through the seasons and adding more flagstone to the existing path will help accent it.

There are many, many possibilities. We all appreciated the improvement when the random, small items were removed. For the next phase, think larger and cohesive.

I measured so I know exactly where the septic risers are to mark them when the system is pumped out every 18 months. This way it’s easy to cover them with ~6” of stones or soil/grass.

I would get rid of the walking path and bench, then put a cute bistro table and 2 chairs right over that septic cover. Then find 3 large beautiful planters and do some great colorful flowers. Less is more in this case.

When you have lemons, make lemonade. Paint it to become yard art. You can use paint to look like mosaic in any design. The yin yang would best accommodate the pipe, but you can paint that into the other designs too so it disappears. Google "hide septic tank cover." Lots of inspiration. Not sure how much you want to redesign the entire area so suggesting these with your existing layout.