Dear Homework,
We recently purchased this Southside charmer and completed several projects on the interior. What would you suggest as some landscaping upgrades that would be fairly easy to implement and maintain?
Sincerely,
—Seeking Southside Solutions
Dear Seeking Southside Solutions,
Your home starts out with some definite positives, such as a charming architectural composition and unique details. More problematic issues are the close proximity of the neighboring houses and the limited amount of existing yard space to make any impact. I would start by adding a columnar evergreen at each corner of the house to frame it and psychologically separate it from its neighbors. Next, I would remove the basically useless block wall at the front stoop, and replace it with a clipped hedge (perhaps yew or boxwood), to act as a base to set off, but not block, the front door.
I would then add a row of impatiens in front of the yew bushes at the living room window. These offer a welcoming jolt of color and a sense of manicured completeness to the scene. Taller ornamental grasses fill in the planting beds. In the end, the property feels much more pulled together, without overdoing things … and it shouldn’t be too hard to maintain.
Thanks for asking,
—Homework
Homework is penned by Paul Doerner, Founding Partner of the Lawrence Group. If you would like your home critiqued, contact us at homework@townandstyle.com.
