Front Landscaping: How Much? Is Now OK to Plant Bushes/Evergreens NOW? (buy)

[purelygeneric]

I've decided I can no longer take the appearance of my front landscaping. I'd like to rip up what is there and replace it with other shrubs/evergreens, etc.

1) Any recommendations of what to plant?
2) How much $ in plants do you think it will cost to cover a 40' wide lot?
3) Is now an OK time of year to do it or do I need to wait?

Thanks so much. I'd like to tackle this before the weekend. Any info, links, etc. is appreciated.

[Kbinspections]

Most people plant bushing too close together so space them out.....they will grow.

You can still plant now but don't wait too long or it will get too hot.

Make sure that the plants won't get too big for the spot you planted. Look at the mature size too.

Are you doing screening or just ornamental?

Try to get plants that flower at different times. Mix up colors too.

Is the area sunny or shady.....Facing north?

I buy most of my plants at Cheap Sam's out east.......cheap and good quality. Limited selection.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by Kbinspections

Most people plant bushing too close together so space them out.....they will grow.

You can still plant now but don't wait too long or it will get too hot.

Make sure that the plants won't get too big for the spot you planted. Look at the mature size too.

Are you doing screening or just ornamental?

Try to get plants that flower at different times. Mix up colors too.

Is the area sunny or shady.....Facing north?

I buy most of my plants at Cheap Sam's out east.......cheap and good quality. Limited selection.

Once you have the answer to this question, you'll have eliminated many options, one way or the other. It would also make it easier to make any kind of recommendation!

And KB is right, sooner is better than later - too hot, and the plants stress too much before they can fully take root... Also, allowing enough room for them to grow--nothing worse than plants crowding each other; not good for the plants and not good for the "curb appeal".

[nassau2suffolk]

Plant material varies greatly in price. One suggestion is to make sure you have sprinklers.

[kptree]

I feel your pain. We were living with overgrown yews that looked creepy and derelict. It is so hard to decide what to plant and how when you are not a landscape designer or architect. Here are a few things to think about:

1. measure the amount of sun and shade where you will plant. Does it receive direct sun and for how long. The rule of thumb is 6hrs or more= full sun/ 4-6 hrs a day= partial shade/part sun/ less than 4hrs a day=full shade.
Finding this out will make a difference. Most evergreens cannot grow in full shade.

2. What water supply you have. An above poster recommended sprinklers. Just keep in mind that most new trees require daily watering with a soaker hose or those "tree bags". Sprinkler don't always do the job because they don't deliver the water in a consistent fashion to the roots of the trees.

3. What color scheme do you like? Some trees have green/golden leaves, some silvery, etc. It's easier if they all agree.

Here is a tool that can help you estimate how much to plant:
Landscape Calculators | Plant, Mulch, Annual, Stone, Mowing Calculators

Here is a site that gives you pictures of various designs:
http://www.the-landscape-design-site...entryways.html

Another site that has very pretty and simple ideas like the boxwood and hosta combination.

[ENFD240]

if you want "evergreens", there are a lot of options besides pine trees/bushes...

[kimmers56]

my husband planted 15 gal japanese blueberries barely 3 ft. apart. Is that too close for their health?

[MacTAC]

Do you mean Japanese Barberry? There is a Japanese Blueberry Tree but it's not hardy in this area.