Landscaper / Photoshopper

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
Is anybody on here a landscapper preferably a professional one or one that is really good at it? Now that Sandy has left I want to clear out the mess that is in front of my house with something "cleaner".

If you can suggest a bush/small tree, etc and then work photoshop it in so I can see what it would look like that would be great.

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Kreon

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2006
1,329
0
0
So my photoshopping skills are not great. If you really want something I cna probably do it up in paint.

Basically what I would do:
Left side of porch (1st pic). Get rid of the shrubs completely. Use mulch or bark chips there, and plant either a small flower bed with things such a crocuses, tulips, dafodils and some summer annuals (basically you just toss the seed there after the previous 3 are done blooming). You want things that will grow to be ~3/4 of the height of your porch. If that seems like way to much work, get a leafy groundcover or some Lilies of the Valley for there. Leafy will look much better in the smaller area than a needly ground cover.

Right on either side of your stairs, I would suggest a small evergreen tree. Similar to the one on the right side of the stairs, but smaller. Replace them when they grow to the height that the one you have currently is at.

For the right side of the house, assuming you want to keep it reasonably similar: Pull all of that out. The groundcover in fro the of the tree especially. Cut your lawn in further so that it matches the distance from porch to walkway as the left side of the walkway (but only in front of the evergreen tree, keep the area under the window the same square footage). In the area under the window, I would suggest going for small shrubs that don't go higher than the bottom of the window. I personally prefer leafy shrubs. In front of those, plant something a bit shorter, such as Hosta. Hosta will make the entire area look very leafy and full of life all spring/summer/early fall. Unless you have deer, which will eat them all. You can either mulch around that or plant a groundcover that matches the left side of the porch.

I would also suggest putting edging of some sort in. It really breaks up the lawn from the landscaping, and make everything appear neater. However, you will have to trim the lawn right next to it. If you're a really low maintenance kind of guy, skip the edging. I personally like bricks or cobbles, but you can do the cheaper black tubing too (it still does the job).

If you want, I can try to draw up some landscape plans for you.
 

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
Thanks for the replies. Olds that's great.

My zone is 6B. On the left side of the house not much sun. The right side gets some more so the far right that has the tree and shrubs?

This is the right side up close

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Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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Just cleaning up what you have would look great...
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
anyone else?

Trim it and let it grow, it will look as good if not better.

Remember, your neighbors house takes WORK and TIME. If you are not willing to put those 2 in, getting "new stuff" won't change that.

I think it looks fine as is, just trim it up and give it time to develop. I would probably plant some flowers around the outside trim (in spring) and possibly add some landscape lighting after it develops more.
 

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
Trim it and let it grow, it will look as good if not better.

Remember, your neighbors house takes WORK and TIME. If you are not willing to put those 2 in, getting "new stuff" won't change that.

I think it looks fine as is, just trim it up and give it time to develop. I would probably plant some flowers around the outside trim (in spring) and possibly add some landscape lighting after it develops more.

Its not that I wont give it work or time. We just have so many trees around that the leaves continually to get caught in the plant(s) or groundcover. Just looking to get some more space between the plants and something that will look neat
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
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Its not that I wont give it work or time. We just have so many trees around that the leaves continually to get caught in the plant(s) or groundcover. Just looking to get some more space between the plants and something that will look neat

Clean it up (more often) and let what you have grow.

Save your money.

;)

You have a blower right? Every home owner should.

:cool:

You REALLY REALLY REALLY need trim. Sears has sales on trimmers all the time, I seen one for $40 bucks the other day.

Lawn Mower, Blower, weed wacker + trimmer are ALL must haves when owning a home. Show blower is something you can get away with...
 

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
Clean it up (more often) and let what you have grow.

Save your money.

;)

You have a blower right? Every home owner should.

:cool:

You REALLY REALLY REALLY need trim. Sears has sales on trimmers all the time, I seen one for $40 bucks the other day.

Lawn Mower, Blower, weed wacker + trimmer are ALL must haves when owning a home. Show blower is something you can get away with...

The blower I got must not be that powerful because I can't get the leaves out of there with it. I had to gently run my rake over it to get most of it out.

I have a gas blower, gas mower, electric "weed wacker", gas chainsaw and electric power washer. I dont have a trimmer yet....its on my list. I usually just borrow one from a family member, neighbor, etc.
 

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
1
76
So I took some of your advice and just cleaned up what was there. In the spring I plan to rip it all out and go with some new plants.

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