Need ideas for area in front yard?

Question

We have a patch about 8x25 feet in our front yard.

On one side is a sidewalk, and the other side drops off due to our underground garage.

Right now we have mulch over it and some potted plants, but let's be honest... it's butt-ugly.

Any ideas?

Also we are not wealthy, so please don't suggest, say, a koi pond.

Answer 1

Hard to say not knowing where you live. If you live in an area that is warm to hot and doesn't get snow, make it into a rock garden. It is cheap to do if you don't mind doing it yourself, saves water and looks really neat.

Just take out what you have, put down landscape weed fabric, get a load of pretty rock - I like the Arizona Gold, and spread it over your fabric about 2 inches thick at least. Then buy some cactus and other succulents - don't forget to put in a Spanish Dagger as a focal point - they are the plants that have a couple branches and spiky green tops. To plants push back the rock, make an X cut in the fabric, plant, then put the fabric and rock back.

When you can afford it, get a couple large rocks and place them around - one next to the Spanish Dagger. You only have to water it once in awhile and it will look great. If you want to put in plants that need more water - just put in a drip system before you put down the weed fabric. It is really easy to do and not expensive. They have all the parts at Home Dep or Lowes. I have my whole front yard like this and I get so many compliments. I have drips going to heat tolerant roses that bloom all summer (Mutabilis), One central olive tree, and then succulents. No mowing and saves water.

Answer 2

how about a row of evergreen shrubs ... azaleas would be pretty, especially in the spring.