Front yard help

9 years ago

Hi guys! I was wondering what you would do if this were ur house and u had minimal budget?
We love tropical/coastal. Would love it to feel more inviting and happy. The only plant to stay will be the gumtree. Would love to hear ur suggestions :)

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PRO

Timandra Design & Landscaping

9 years ago

I would start with the removal of that ghastly hedge around the base of that magnificent gum. And remove the edging here as well.

I would consider a lilly pilly screen down each side of your home - the same plant each side. Ensure that your plant will grow to 3 to 4 metres tall and no wider than 2 metres - less would be better. Many don't need trimming.You will need dedicated garden beds with proper edging to do this properly.

You could remove the lawn and plant a predominantly native garden with native grasses, westringia, low growing bottle brush etc. Without knowing the soil type and where this home is makes it difficult to suggest plants.

If you do away with the lawn, you have the real problem of kikuyu regrowing - and this is a major problem for novices to address.

It may be best to have the tree free-standing in the lawn and the screen plants on each side. Leave for a year or 2 and then reappraise.

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Comments (14)

Brandi Nash Hicks
9 years ago
If you want coastal start with paint...it is the most budget friendly..I even say paint the brick on this one...white is a great place to start,Bm simply white with a dark trim around Windows,a dark brown gray like Bm iron ore,remove the round bushes around the tree they are blocking your home. If and when you have money for more a standing beam silver metal roof would look good
hayley010787
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you! The window frames are aluminum... Can that even be painted?
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Grass does poorly under gum trees, so get rid of the grass in the immediate vicinity of the trees and turn it into a garden with lots of mulch to keep the weeds down. There seems to be quite a slope between the kerbside and the front lawn, so think about whether you want a retaining wall (you will need it if you have mulch), and whether you want a walkway directly to the front door, or whether you are happy to keep accessing the front door from the driveway. I always think a walkway to the front door from the kerb looks nice, but this is your place, not mine ! If you decide on a retaining wall, what should it be made of - think about your capabilities and the style of your house - a relaxed / coastal style place might be better with treated pine logs; a more formal place will be better suited to e.g. sandstone-type blocks / bricks . Look through Houzz photos for ideas. Bear in mind what your budget is. Do you want to keep the garden at the front of the house, or will you dig up the concrete and turn it into lawn / garden ? If you want a walkway, will it be paved / gravel / concrete / something else! How will you keep the mulch from the path - and will you have steps, if so, out of what? Will you be doing the work yourself, or will you be looking at getting in some help? Plants for the garden/s - I'm with jmm1837, pig face is great in coastal areas, and is very colourful and hardy, and spreads nicely, and can cope with sloping ground. Banksias are tough, with great seed pods. Westringia is great, but can take over the garden unless you keep it trimmed. I also agree with Sally, take a walk around the neighbourhood and see what does well in north-facing gardens, and talk to your local nursery people about your needs. Above all, have fun ! Experiment with the plants, and if something doesn't work, try something else!
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Thank you, you cant see the the trees I have in the photos due to winter but I have 12 trees already in my front yard. ( 7 silver birch, 1 mop top 2 weepings, 1 red maple and a another) I do love the hedging. I was thinking something like the below photo with the same path going to my front door but placing the same purple plants around the sides that I have in my 3rd photo . I would like to use edging do I place some along the 3rd photo. I love the above photo with the trees and hedge layering, I could do that along the front fence. What do you think ? I don't really know plant names so I am saying sorry in advance
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dohraime
9 years ago
I don't have any suggestions for landscaping, but I do think painting out the heritage green to a blue could get a coastal vibe started. Like colorbond Deep Ocean which can look really smart in contrasted with red brick. Or perhaps this sort of colour? Do you know the name of the brick? Or could you post a close up photo of them?
User
9 years ago
Don't paint the brick. Paint other if you want, but dark green is coming back into fashion.
dohraime
9 years ago
You could take out the straight paths and add a gently curved one to lead to the entrance. Using a loose material or combo of pavers and loose material.
Hilde Gard
9 years ago
Sorry for late comment, but that shrub surrounding the eucalypt has to go. Or at least trim it to half the current height. It looks like an oversize furry roll-neck the tree is trapped in and destroys the well-deserved prominence of the tree on the block. Pressure wash the driveway (it will freshen it up immensely) and make a plantation along the drive with tropical/coastal strappy plants and/or small palms.
User
9 years ago
The gum tree is too close to the house. The big branch on the left looks ready to split away in a storm, but they famously don't need storms, that's why you don't pitch a tent under a gum. Get a tree surgeon in to give you a written assessment, and follow their advice.
KK1000
9 years ago
Usually I would never suggest painting the brick but if you want coastal look I agree with first comment. Don't remove the shrubs around the tree just prune it back halfway and clan the drive way, and plant more tropical plants along the fence but in different heights, like giant bird of paradise and something lower, find out what grows well in your area.
hayley010787
Original Author
9 years ago
Thankyou for your advice. In regards to the screening hedge, aside from Lilly pilly, would you say viburnum suspensum or sweet viburnum would do okay? We are located in Perth, Western Australia.
PRO
Timandra Design & Landscaping
9 years ago
If you don't have clay soil, don't waste your time trying to grow Viburnums. And these tend to be more cold climate, higher altitude type plants.

In Western Australia you are far better off sticking with native plants as they will thrive.

Why grow plants because others are growing them, having to put so much effort into their care, and them have them die after a few years when the plants just die out. And they will because the conditions aren't right.

Lily pillies are used by good landscape designers because they KNOW the value of growing plants that look good and last. And there are so many on the market of different widths and heights - its just a matter of choosing the right one for the position. But the Acmena is better than the Syzygium most often as it doesn't get psyllid.
hayley010787
Original Author
9 years ago
Okay perfect, Thankyou once again! I personally prefer the look of the viburnum however I am here for educated advice and you've given me some fantastic advice which I shall take on board 100%. I really appreciate it, Thankyou!
PRO
Timandra Design & Landscaping
9 years ago
Good luck with your new garden.
Tracy
9 years ago
I would just mass plant out the garden in different levels with coastal plants. A rock feature with different sized rocks and pebbles might be nice through it to break ot up. Definately paint out the woodwork and brick if possible for a more coastal look, but not obvious coastal colors like blue and white.

Front yard help

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