Tying in foundation landscape.

Melfa, VA(Zone 8a)

Photo below.
I would like to plant some of my wildflowers and ferns on the right side ( as you are looking at the pic) with more evergreen shrubs and perennials on the left. This is the north side of the house (it is the back but hubby calls it the front!!!) in 7b, but since it is close to the shore, it seems more like 8a. The left side gets more sun as it is not protected as much by the proch and garage. There is a breezway between the house and garage with a small sitting area.
Anyone, please help with suggestions!
30' on the right and 27' on the left.

Thumbnail by estrail1rider
Melfa, VA(Zone 8a)

As you can see, I do need all of the help I can get as this is where I am currently living and the photo in the first post above is our new house to where we are moving! Totally different environments and I have always lived rather in or near woodlands. So geez!!! I have to relearn everything and not a tree even near the house!!

Thumbnail by estrail1rider
(Zone 5b)

estrail I'm in a different zone than you but I can point you to my research sites...I use naturehills.com or springhillnursery.com to look up plants & shrubs, you can put in your zone, sun or shade, and even the color if you want and see pictures of everything. I also use bhg.com a lot for their garden plans. I imagine you have a lot more choices being a few zones warmer. I'm sure some more experienced people will come along with specific suggestions. Your houses are both lovely! A big difference between the two, but I like them both.

Melfa, VA(Zone 8a)

I have printed out a LOT of the landscape plans from the bhg website and like those. Where we currently I alway have had trouble with too shady. Now I am going to have trouble with too hot and minimal shade! LOL!!!...I am going over this week to do a bit of planting (I get to pick BR carpets this week too!!! :)) Hubby is coming back today and he got my soaker hoses timed and put in the empty beds.

(Zone 5b)

you'll miss some of that shade, when we bought our present house it sat on what I called a hayfield but it was really just a field of weeds...that beating hot sun was awful. One of the first things we did was turn our deck into a big screened porch...love it. I have tons of pages printed out from bhg too. That site has been a godsend!
It sounds like you're ready to plant....have fun! Post some pictures!

Lexington, VA(Zone 6a)

Wow, a brand new slate and what a challenge - the two landscapes are like night and day! There's tons of information on the internet like what you've found on the bhg site but the best "information" is to scope out other landscapes in the area to see what works in your area and what you might like in your own landscape. I'd concentrate on getting some "bones" (trees) planted first to start creating some shade and then slowly fill in with your choices of shrubs, perennials, etc. You should be able to find some good deals this fall when the nurseries usually mark down their inventory, sometimes as much as 50%, and you could grab some larger specimen trees at great prices! We started with a similar 'problem' in 1992....

Thumbnail by rcn48
Lexington, VA(Zone 6a)

Eight years later and you can barely see the house from the road! We started with the front of the house but there was little planted out back by 2000. It was so darned hot trying to work in the gardens and we continued to plant more trees to create shade. Our only problem now is we've got almost too MUCH shade! LOL

Thumbnail by rcn48
(Zone 5b)

wow rcn that's a lot of work! You got more done in 8 years than I did in 10...it looks great.

Lexington, VA(Zone 6a)

Thanks Lynnie :) You should see it now - we have a terrible "problem" - we just can't stop planting! LOL I put together a blog last winter to show the progress we've made through the years. I have more photos to add of this year's projects when I finally find the time! If you're interested, Dmail me and I'll send you the link :)

(Zone 5b)

rcn that would be great! I'll do that. I understand about your "problem." I have the same one. The only rhing that slows me down is winter & money lol

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