Photo Image Design Solution

Problem

This starter home is located on a fairly busy corner lot, close to the road.  Because it is located in the city, I am assuming that the soil is poor.  The front of the house is in half day sun at best.  The owner wants to create a welcome entry and increase the curb appeal. She has thought about using window boxes to hide an older bay window.  The front hedge is yew, with about 2 feet between the hedge and the house. 

Solution

Window boxes are an excellent solution.  Look for self watering models, available mostly through the internet.  White or wrought iron would enhance the cottage feel of this home.  For variety, plant pansies in the spring, impatients in the summer, chrysanthemums in the fall and mixed greens and berries for winter.  Enhance the covered entry with some hanging baskets.

It will be difficult to plant behind the yews due to their extensive root system.  Work toward trying to fertilize and grow them so that they can be evenly trimmed as a formal hedge.  Near the railing, you can try to work a planting hole for a vine, but you will be limited due to inadequate sunlight. A good choice would be clematis ternifolia, “sweet autumn clematis.”  Other clematis would not do as well there.

Paint, railings and trellis will do a great deal to enhance the curb appeal and should be fixed.   White trellis on the front foundation will hide it and add to the cottage style.  The steps should be repaired and can be painted with concrete paint that contains aggregate.  The shutters need to be replaced/added or painted.  The stockade fence, which is already painted, could be stained a color similar to the shutters using a solid stain.  Finally, an aluminum railing that resembles wrought iron should be installed.

Because this is a corner lot, much of the color can be obtained on the side where there is more light and room to plant.  Adding more trellis will carry the style and break up the wall on that side.  Knockout roses, Endless summer hydrangea, Zephyrine Drouhin climbing rose, Girard’s hot shot azalea, and Russian Sage (perovskia) will all do well there. The knockout roses and hydrangeas will flower all summer and the sage adds silver twigs and late summer blues.  The azaleas are evergreen and add color in the spring.