Quote:
Originally Posted by vthok
I want something to add some color to the front yard. I already have
some shrubs in one bed and need another kind of plant to go in the
other bed (the right of the walkway that is empty in the picture).
I also need some colorful plants to add to the front of the big bed in
between the shrubs (on the left of the walkway).
Any recommendations? Need something that doesnt require a green
thumb, adds some pop to the front yard, and is kid friendly (ie no
thorns, etc).
Thanks.
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Really cute house...wonderful curb appeal. I can't really tell, but those shrubs look like they might be some sort of ligustrum. First thing to do is to move those away from your porch. Three reasons....they are lined up in a straight row too close to the porch, they will get too large....they have a wonderfully fragrant bloom that draws bees like crazy. Move those to the back yard or along one of the back yard side property lines. They will afford you a nice backdrop and eventually offer some privacy.
Rule one - no shrubs in a straight line in front of the house
Come out from the porch about 5 feet. Starting at the left front corner of your porch, angle the bed gradually toward the curve in the sidewalk. You should end up with a graceful, gradually curved bed instead of a narrow start line.
There are lots of choices, but you might like a Japanese Maple at the left corner of the porch. Or, plant a Knockout rose there. These are miracle plants. The red ones, and dark pink varieties get a nice height and width and would be beautiful at the corner of your porch. They really are a knockout! Mine started blooming in March and haven't let up yet. And they are fabulously easy to grow, unlike other roses I've tried.
Next add low growing shrubbery. None should be planted with in 3' of the porch to allow for growth. I would plant the shrubs more or less in front of the porch pillars, not in between them. You want to preserve your view when sitting on the porch - not block it with shrubs. Or hide that lovelyporch behind shrubs which get too tall.
I don't know your color preferences, but "Pixie" Lorapetulum are a lovely burgundy color, stay around 3' tall at maturity and spread out a bit. Willowleaf "Repens" Cotoneaster is also very attractive - nice green with white "flowers" in the summer.
Frost-proof gardenias are a delight - evergreen, lovely deep green color, and absolutely heavenly scent to the the white blooms. This is what I have in front of my porch. They are blooming like crazy and perfume the air in such a delicate, pleasant way. They don't get too tall for your space (or mine!)
If you like pink blooms - Chinsoy Azaleas are gorgeous. They are evergreen, and mine have been blooming now for about 10 days, with no let up in sight.
Some of the Encore brand azaleas stay small and would be pretty for you. They bloom twice a year! And come in several color choices for the blooms.
Plant the shrubs more or less in front of the porch pillars, with the one at the left side of the bed closest to the porch (the plant trunk or center of the shrub at least 3' away though) and the others gradually get farther from the porch as they follow the curve of the bed. Choose only one type of shrub for the bed. The corner shrub or tree can be different.
Then, in the spaces between the posts, plant varigated liriope. It will stay low, has great color and form, and has wonderful spikey blooms in the summer. Practically no maintainance - just trim the ragged leaves in late winter to allow for the new spring growth and you're done with it for another year! Resist the urge to plant this in a start line along the front edge of the bed. Plant them in groups of three or five, between the porch pillars, in a pattern that pleases you. If it is shady enough, some of the Hosta varieties would be gorgeous planted there instead of liriope.
Don't feel like you have to cover up every inch of the bed with plant material. The plants will be so small the first year they will look a bit funny. By year three you will be surprised at how much they fill up the bed. Leave a bit of space in the widest portion of the bed, closest to the sidewalk, for some perennials or annuals.
That empty bed on the other side of your walk, by the house, can be fun. How about a trellis against the wall with evergreen clematis or carolina jessamine? Or use otto luyken laurel there. Theres so many possibilities.
The choices are unlimited. You've got a not so big bed to work with so it won't cost you an arm and a leg to make it gorgeous.
Apologies for the lengthy response! Gardening is my favorite hobby! There are sooooo many fabulous plants that would work well for you.
If you decide just to add some color, lantanas are nice. Use Ms. Huff or the other one, Coronation Gold I believe its called. They are more hardy than the others, but can get too tall for your space.
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What a great porch!
