City lot

Proper landscaping can work wonders to improve the appearance of a house and increase its value. Most home owners really don't have a clue on what to do or how to do it right. This house was suffering from both neglect and and lack of knowledge. The few existing plants were not adapted to the heat and dry soils on site and were barely living. The new owner understood that a little landscaping would go a long way to improve the appearance and feel of the house as well as having a positive influence on the neighborhood.

Front yard before landscaping

The owner didn't have a lot of money to spend. A few larger plants were used in key locations and the rest were smaller plants that will fill out in one or two seasons. Native drought tolerant perennials, that could handle the hot midday sun and dry sandy soils, were planted to provide color along the walkway.

Species list:
Mohican viburnum,
Fragrant viburnum,
Pagoda dogwood,
Service berry,
Fringe tree,
Witch hazel,
Red chokeberry,
Winterberry,
Oakleaf hydrangea,
Potentilla,

Perennials:
Coreopsis,
Dwarf Daisy,
Gallairdia,
Dianthus,
Creeping phlox

Native woodland flowers were used on the shady west side of the house:
False solomon seal,
Foam Flower,
White baneberry,
Wild ginger,
Blood root,
Jack-in-the-pulpit.

this page updated Feruary 20, 2009