Any creative landscapers out there?

Question

I need help!! Please disregard what I've planted so far and the ugly colored mulch I put down. I am so stressed out over this! I have no idea what to plant under the picture window. Here is the link.... http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m418/ang57chet/frontrighthouse.jpg

Answer 1

I would agree with classy chick.  It looks Good!  Some impatiens would look great in there for some added color.  Other than that, it looks fine.

Answer 2

I wouldn't add pines on either side of the window as you don't have the space, especially on the left side.  Nor would I add boxwood hedge, that's sooo traditional.  

I find your red, white and blue color scheme intersting.  Redleaf barberry, white house, blue siding.  I'm not in love with the big curve towards the window but realize this may not be changeable.....wish is was, it's to fru-fru.

I'm neutral on the hostas up front.

It's a little messy on the left side.  You have two shrubs that will occupy the same area as they grow, the redleaf barberry and whatever that is behind.  I'd can one.

The yellowleaf ligustrum or ninebark behind the rightside barberry  is your transition plant, that is carrying the line of sight from the vertical to the horizonal.  Normally I'd make that an evergreen or the plant in front evergreen so you don't end up with the winter blahs.  Still it looks like the shrubs under the windows are boxwood (??) with will provide winter interest.....just a bit pinched to the middle.  

Another problem is you are stuck in the Noah's Ark syndrome, 2 x 2 x 2.  You need more interesting groupings.  If you look at professional and well done (versus professional and crummy) you'll notice the plants are grouped in groups of 3 or 5's...odd numers for interest.  Now when balancing a window, even is good for major plants but secondary should be odd.  

Like above, I like flowers and was wondering about long flowering dayliles.  Or how about some of the lower ornamental grasses for unusual winter interest?  

Also your plants are all "globes" escept for the hosta...bless that hosta.  You can get very interesting shrub arrangements by varying the plant shapes, vase, globe, mounders, cascaders........until someone with a hedge shearer comes along and makes them all balls.

Avoid over planting for immediate effect.  that's what I'm worried about in the left corner.  Plants grow smuch each other.  

Actually this will all grow in and look fine in a couple of years.

Answer 3

It is not that bad kiddo!  I would add some Boxwood hedges directly under the window and frame either side of the window with a decorative pine, not to big that would dwarf the house.  You need color my friend and impatiens are a great and fast fix mix and match those like red and white or pink and white.  as for the mulch you don't have much choice although I prefer the black mulch they have available and would certainly be a great contrast against the white of the house.  Again 3 important things, Color, Texture, Space.

Have fun and I think it looks nice.

Answer 4

where do you live. if you live in a warm area thei are alot of plants to chose from. temperate areas too. temps above 0 fahrenheit.

cool areas are harder to find that perfect plant

Answer 5

No help here. Sorry. I love flowers! I put them every where I see a good spot. They are all around my house. In my sun room and on the decks ( we have 3 ). They are a mix of every kind of flower I find, the ones that get my attention! I also have shrubs too. Just go wild. Have fun,don't take it seriously. Enjoy!!!!!Poppy

Answer 6

Look at three steps from low growing flowering plants to taller plants.

Front - Either creeping junpiers like Blue Pacific, which would give you a sea of green in front or low gorwing flowering plants.

Next - Flowers or dwarf flowering plants - Need the contrast with lots of color here.

Next - Box woods or nandinas beneath you window - still to contrast the flowers - but something that fills in nicely, also you could look at hollies (ILEX)...then on each side of the window I would put conifers like Sky Rocket Junipers or a Shaped Junpier (Spiral).

Good luck and have fun.