The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

15 Basic Ways To Landscape Your Homepage

Slightly different in design, C is basically the same house as A and B. The severity of this formal landscaping is not becoming. The trim home could easily be beautified by colorful plant materials. The addition of inexpensive potted plants on the porch and a curtain of vines on the side of the house would do wonders. Perhaps an airy tall shrub between the front windows would help to reduce the monotony of the low shrub border. Removal of the lawn and installation of a modern groundcover would also help.

D is confusing, although it is the same design as A, B and C, because the plants chosen are all too large for such a small yard. The Christmas tree will become gigantic, the vines overpowering and the shrubs a massive blob of foliage. The fence was carefully set back to clear a car's door, but the porch vine is in the way and will never have room to expand and bloom. Soon this improperly selected group of shrubs and trees will overcome the house design without adding anything bur work.

Although not obvious in picture E, behind the mass of foliage is another house of the same design. No doubt the owner had the best of intentions when setting these shrubs out as young plants. Originally purchased to become a part of the overall landscape program, the plant materials now dominate both the home and landscape.

Houses of different design on the same street often exhibit uncomplementary landscaping. These five homes, next door to each other, are less than six months old.

House A shows every sign of competent handling by its landscape program. A neat groundcover is slowly taking over the builder-supplied lawn and already adds much to the home's charm. The variety of shrubs and floral plant materials is effective along the front. Vino are being used to soften the driveway side of the house. Potted plants on the steps and porch rail relieve the severe building lines. Future maintenance of this yard will be it a minimum. Pruning to keep the plants in proportion is all that's needed.

Next door to A is B, which is a trim tract home that could well use the softening influence of plant growth. A sparse lawn appears to be suffering from lack of both water and fertilizer. Plant materials growing under the three large windows will soon obscure the view and would be more valuable on a back property line. Shrubs under the shuttered window are in the proper location but could do more good if they extended to, and up, the right corner of the house. Lattice work on the left front panel could hold colorful climbing vines for contrasts needed on the dark wood.