Unfortunately, none of my thumbs are green.
I have an itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny front yard.
You’d think it’d be a cinch to landscape, but you would be ding-dong wrong.
I’ve included a few snaps so you can see what I’m working with.
Photo #1
In this first photo, you’ll see the small area in between my house and my neighbor’s (I live in a townhome). Currently there are 3 shrubs/bushes that are just not doing a thing for me. They’re just those plain ole regular green bushes you see in every bank’s landscaping or in the beds in front of your dentist’s office.
Bor-ring!
I want to yank them out, but I’m not 100% sure what to replace them with. The purple plants in the first photo are still in their pots from the nursery – it’s 2 of those purple grasses with the little wispy things on top. The green plant in front, in its pot as well, is a gorgeous Midnight Blue agapanthus. I’m thinking of ripping out the bushes, planting the purple grasses somewhere in there and maybe getting another agapanthus to pair with the one I already have. But I need some kind of bush or shrub for all-year greenery as well as filler (don’t I?), but I don’t know what. Urgh. Any ideas?
Photo #2
Okay. In this second photo, you’ll see the larger part of my front yard. I have European fan palms, along with some society garlic and some low growing lantana. There’s also a small crepe myrtle in front of 2 lorapetalum bushes (not seen in this pic as they are set back in between my house and the neighbor’s on this side). But something is definitely missing around the crepe myrtle/lorpetalum area, I just can’t put my finger on what. Please, anyone out there have a clue as to what I can do to put a spit-shine on this small yard?
After I get the front yard planted up, I plan on getting 2 large pots/urns to fill with seasonal plantings to flank my stairs leading up to my front door. But I first gotta figure out this front yard business. I eagerly look forward to hearing your ideas!
I figured it’s probably best to post a larger pic in case you were having a bit of difficulty viewing the smaller photos in the post.
Blow up of Photo #2
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
In the 1st picture, I would get another Agapanthus for sure. But how big do the grasses get? You do need some bushes though or it will look too empty. I like the garlic, it looks really pretty. In #2 picture what about putting more grasses?
I’m jealous of your tiny front yard. I’ve recently wanted to start growing things in pots on my balcony. There’s a problem, though, in the fact that I have no knowledge of gardening whatsoever, (Agapanthus? Lorapetalum? Whoozeewhatzit?) I know that you have to put a plant in dirt and water it sometimes. That’s a start, right?
Jenna´s last blog ….I really don’t care about Jesus.
Is it shady? We put in some hydrangeas where we needed, and they are getting to be gorgeous! We have had them in for 3 years and they are getting nice and big and fluffy—and FULL of flowers!
It’s just a thought.
Heather´s last blog ….Ramble, Ramble, Ramble
I’d offer a suggest, but I have no luck or skill when it comes to gardening
I agree with one of the earlier posters…I’m jealous! I see what you mean, but your yard looks a sight better than mine just like it is. What I can see of your house is just beautiful too!
I would just say this. Try to pay attention to how much sun your front yard gets, then look at plants for that much sun. I love hosta, but it is a shade plant, so there’s no chance I can use it in one of my beds. It is under a shade tree though. If you get a lot of sun, petunias are wonderful, and they are easy to care for and give a lot more bang than the bucks they cost. The Wave Petunia is especially pretty! They are great for using as ground cover too, because they creep.
Hope this helped! Can’t wait to see what you decided to do!
Melissa S.´s last blog ….For Today… Simple Woman’s Daybook for May 4th
By the way, I LOVE that font in the last picture! What is it called?
Leslie – Thx, you’re right, I do believe I need another agapanthus. I’m not sure how big the grasses get though.
Jenna – Whoozeewhatzit? I love it! Totally stealing it from you…
Heather – It’s not shady. It faces directly east. I bet the hydrangeas are gorgeous. But am I wrong in thinking they are a lot of upkeep? I want something mondo-easy.
Lyndon – You & me both! I can’t even believe I am doing this. When I planted the garlic, that was the first time I personally ever planted anything in my life. And I’m glad to know that if you did know something about gardening that you would freely give me a suggestion and not keep all your gardening secrets to yourself.
Melissa S. – Thx so much! It’s definitely too sunny for hostas, but that’s a great idea for the walkway on the side of the garage that is crazy dark. I hadn’t heard of wave petunias – will look into it…oh, and the font is Jellyka, St. Andrew’s Queen. I got it from dafont.com if I remember correctly.
{ 2 trackbacks }