On the left is our house with some landscaping updates that I hope to make in the future.
To the left and right of the porch I would like to build up the earth to create a planting bed on each side. The bed would be bordered with a 12" high retaining wall. I would install drainage pipes in the bed to keep water from collecting in it too much and draining into our basement, as water tends to do. The bed will contain low maintenance shrubs that can tolerate shade. I would like to anchor the left corner of the house with a hydrangea bush. I would also like to put in some ornamental grass near the chimney that will set off the brick. (Green against red). I would probably plant annuals in front of the shrubs to add color, but I would like for the shrubbery to speak for itself. A burning bush may also be a good addition to the space.
One of the main reasons I want to raise the bed in front of the house is because most of the front yard is level, and there is absolutely no depth to the space. There is also no variation of texture, which is why I want to build the retaining wall with castle wall blocks. I think the brick red would look good against the yellow house.
This brings me to the walkway. I think some grey, stone slabs would be good with a fine rock pebble between them. We have 3 huge trees in the front yard, so there are huge tree roots everywhere. I think a walkway that can move with the movement of the tree roots would reduce frustration in the future. I don't have to worry about cracking concrete. Because the yard is so flat, we may need to pad the walkway a few inches with the pebbles and put in an edge to keep the rocks on place. The pebbles should help water evaporate out of the walkway. In the picture, the walkway comes toward the viewer, and in reality I would like it to continue around the house to the driveway area.
With the right equipment, I think we could complete the project in five days. It would require a lot of blocks and dirt. There is some existing shrubbery that could be transplanted. We also have 3 small evergreen shrubs on the side of the house that could be moved as well.
My plan is to check into the cost of the project, and try to figure out what we can do now, afford, and that will not make the project look half done.
