Help with front lawn design

12 years ago

Our front yard, is not large, but it is is approximately 30' x 20'. Two issues - we'd like to keep the bushes, which will provide a year round green backdrop for the front yard. However, we want to plant in front of them and we aren't sure what to put there. Also, on the left, you see a manhole, which we will not move. Any ideas to hide that is appreciated.

Featured Answer

lefty47

12 years ago

HI -- Plant some boxwoods in front or instead and plant ground cover for the rest . Maybe some of the lawn are could have areas of flag stone patio paving to break up the green and add some style . Also adding a few large rocks and decorative gravel in some areas to make it more interesting . Consult with a garden center or landscape designer for a plan and design . Don't forget to add lighting -- it will make the yard come alive in the night.

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Comments (14)

needlesing
12 years ago
I would rip out the bushes. It only takes a day. You could start from scratch. If you don't want to remove the bushes, are you planning on ripping up the grass to make room for new plants?
David Crawford
Original Author
12 years ago
it was suggested that we keep the bushes since they were healthy, expensive, and added green year round. We would take up some of the grass in front of the bushes for other plantings.
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CM
12 years ago
What side is the front of your house on? What state do you live in?
David Crawford
Original Author
12 years ago
this side of the house is facing south. I live in Chicago, Illinois
David Crawford
Original Author
12 years ago
we would take up some grass to make room for plants, bushes etc.
needlesing
12 years ago
How high are the bushes? My main issue is they look very low to the ground so many other plants or bushes would grow above them. A picture that show more of the home might help too. I live in Michigan and was able to buy a bunch of hostas, spiral evergreens roses and boxwood for 75% off last week if cost is an issue.
David Crawford
Original Author
12 years ago
The house is 3 stories, 6500 sq ft, so it is a large house. I wonder if the house would dwarf the landscape and we may need to put something up that is more dramatic, tall etc. It's an American 4 square built in 1897.
CM
12 years ago
I would suggest maybe some type of landscaping like attached pic where it shows up for a front with some color (red mulch, etc) and maybe a raspberry sundae hosta or the low hostas in pic that show color as well and aren't very big. I realize hostas like shade, but many do fine in sun. I also might suggest some flowering sedum or other type of perrenial that likes the sun... maybe some mums for color...
vkilpatrick
12 years ago
I suggest contacting local nurseries and inquiring about planting all native plants. They are non-invasive and almost zero maintenance as they are 100% growing where they belong naturally. Consider 4 season color and interest-like a mountain ash tree which also provides a valuable source of food for over-wintering birds.
Start small so you are not overwhelmed with maintenance and expense. Landscaping can evolve slowly!
Have fun!
PRO
Red Berm
12 years ago
Hostas , irisis, and carex grasses grow low in Chicago area. If you keep the shrubs you could put those in.
PRO
Major Mulch Installations
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
If you're looking for some different options/ideas on mulch you can check out some of our mulch types at http://www.majormulchorlando.com/mulch-types. A red mulch would look great with some low shrubs as CM suggested above.

We uploaded our mulch types to Houzz so feel free to use them in an ideabook if you want! See the high res shots here: http://www.houzz.com/photos/users/majormulch
AG
10 years ago
What climate zone are you in & how many hours of sun do you get on the front lawn? This info would help choose the right landscaping. Here's a link to climate zone map. http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ Thanks!
PRO
Dreamscape Outdoor Living & Garden Inc.
10 years ago
Good idea to keep the existing shrubs
because you know they are growing well and provide all-season interest. I
suggest you create a flower border in front of the shrubs and grow a selection
of sun-loving, low-growing perennial plants that will give you color from
spring through fall. The plant foliage would conceal the manhole cover, but
still allow access when needed.

To create the border, remove the lawn grass
and add topsoil and organic compost. Edge the bed with lawn edging like this one!

This lawn edging will create a nice, crisp
edge. It will also stop lawn grass from growing into the flower bed which will
save you a lot of time with garden maintenance. In addition, the landscape
edging keeps the plants & mulch in place.

Once the flower border is ready, choose
some the plants. Here's some ideas for plants that grow in Zone 6 in full sun.
For spring color - creeping phlox and alyssum. For summer - lamium, sedum and a
low-growing variety of coreopsis. For fall interest, how about blue fescue grass and low-growing asters.

You could add a 'marker' next to the
manhole cover so you know where it is. For example a shepherd's crook with a
wind chime or small sculpture. Best of luck with your garden plans!