More suggestions

The top photo is a lupine, they mostly come in pink and purples. The next two are columbines, the bottom is rocky mountain columbine, don't know the name of the other, but just ask for a red and yellow.

sketch

Scroll down for the sketch. These are daylilies... probably called "Happy Returns" also look at Stella De Oro


The asiatic lily we like orange to play off the bluish plumbago ground cover. We found one called "Orange Art" not sure what this one is called.


This is plumbago a taller ground cover, the leaves of this turn purple in the winter.


St. John's Wort another taller ground cover


This is a "Autumn Brilliance" serviceberry, blooms white in spring, brilliant red fall color, birds love the berries.

Fall serviceberry

serviceberry in bloom

magnolia tree

oklahoma redbud, photo seems washed out, see following for blooms.

oklahoma redbud


window boxes recommended because windows are so low to the ground and give you opportunity to plant annuals.



an example of a garden pedestal, we show two with pots and would recommend another over near the garage.






Click on sketch for a larger view.
A smaller ornamental multistem tree will help anchor the corner of the house. You could also plant bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, allium, etc. do a google image searc) in the ground cover areas and they will come up through the ground cover and give you spring color. Bulbs look more natural if you plant them in groups of 3, 5, or 7. In fact, temple square often just tosses theirs in the air and plants them where they fall for a natural look. There is nothing worse (in my opinion) than bulbs planted like clock work every six inches.

The window boxes will provide some planting a little higher off the ground to create more variety of heights. This was difficult to do because your windows are so close to the ground. Window boxes can be attached to brick with plugs or inserts in a non-visible place. If you don't want to attach them to the house you might be able to find a black or earth toned wrought iron stand to set them on to elevate them. The key here would be to get a stand that won't draw a lot of attention.

We thought that planting a cluster of asiatic lilies in the corner of the house (between the two windows) would provide some interest here. This area is just narrow enough between the corner and the window that a shrub just didn't seem to work that well. Brighter colors such as oranges or yellows will give you more curb appeal because they are bright enough to be viewed from the street. Pinks and purples tend to get lost when viewed from very far away.

The ground covers we have shown are just a couple examples that bloom and provide multi-seasonal interest. A ground cover that has a little height and structure will also probably provide more curb appeal than a very low ground cover. You can often find these in flats at local nurseries. They generally will fill in pretty quickly (probably within one season).

The garden pedestals with pots will also give you a place to plant some annuals. Because this concept doesn't have any taller shrubs, these will provide an intermediate height. The one near the front step will screen the hose. It is ok to have some things be asymmetrical. Resist the temptation to put another pedestal on the other side of the stairs.

You'll notice that the sketch doesn't show anything for the area by your shrubs. Ground covers and bulbs will work well here.

Some Sites Worth Seeing

Where to Start includes survey

Find your Style

How to Build your garden

Here We Go!!

Attention, attention please. Are you ready for this?

Here are some of our questions...

• How much snow do you get in the winter, meaning, how much is hanging around during the long gray days from December through February? You've talked of snow, but does it stay on the ground? Do we need some winter structure?
• How far off the ground is the bottom sill of your windows?
• What is the distance between the corner of the bump out and the recessed portion of your house?
• What direction does your house face?

We have determined that you are looking for something traditional/clean/classic looking, is this a correct assumption?

Because your house is so horizontal, we (Mathew) thinks it would be nice to have some vertical elements. Why did you pull out that tree anyway, you crazies! That corner is a tough spot causing us grief.