The closing day crazies are over, and now the house – and all that yard – is yours! Everything takes on a new meaning as you roll up your sleeves and bask in the glow of home ownership. It’s a great feeling!
Not only do these shrubs block the steps to the front door, the lime green acubas clash with the color of the brick – something’s gotta go.
Photo Credit: Lynn Means
The new homeowners kept some boxwoods and the holly below the window, but they added balance with a simple trellis featuring an evergreen clematis. They also opened up the front with a new planting.
Photo Credit: Lynn Means
Overgrown, scruffy shrubs practically camouflage the railings and a ramp to the front door.
Photo Credit: Lynn Means
With the railings removed, a curvaceous new sidewalk, some “courageous pruning” and beautiful plantings, the front garden is revived, clean and colorful!
Photo Credit: Lynn Means
Sure, unpacking the house is a big job, but take a break and stroll around the yard – this time as the owner. You may have only given it an overall review when you first visited with your realtor. But chances are you’ll now scrutinize each shrub and tree on your new property. And with that, a whole can of worms begins to wiggle with questions like, “What kind of plant is this?” or “Is this going to get any bigger?”
Many of us have a basic walking-around knowledge of the types of plants commonly found in the area we live, and that’s a great start. Knowing what’s growing is the first step in the exciting process of making an existing garden your own – because a garden is a reflection of your family and your style. But if you’ve relocated to a new state or just get stumped by a “mystery plant,” consider taking a branch or two (or several photos) down to your local nursery or Extension Service for identification. (You were planning on visiting a garden center anyway, weren’t you?)
If you’re lucky enough to have a mature landscape, it’s a real blessing – especially when you have some great-looking trees and shrubs that may be slow growers and not easily replaced. Established plants are like buying time!
But time can do a lot of interesting things to plants, which can begin to grow every which way. So start examining your landscape by taking a look at the smallest to the tallest trees closest to your house. Often lower limbs can block window views or dangle over sidewalks to interfere with mowing the grass. A few simple cuts with a pruning saw can make all the difference when it comes to moving around and enjoying your garden!
Next, look at your landscape from different angles and approaches. For instance, how does it look when you drive by from the opposite end of the street? Is there anything that stands out that you really like – or don’t like? Then tackle jobs like minor trimming or tagging plants you know you want to remove. When that’s done, give yourself time to let the rest sink in.
Chances are you may feel “stuck” or uncertain about a plant or three, so ask yourself what it is you don’t like about a particular plant. Is it the color? Are there too many of the same kind? Does it look like something’s missing? Maybe the plant is just in the wrong spot. The moment of absolute certainty may be elusive, but if the species you’re looking at isn’t doing anything awful (like growing into the side of the house), give it a temporary pass. Low-key plants that seem boring now might later delight you with spring blooms or outstanding fall foliage. Remember: Patience is a gardener’s best friend!
I’m pretty soft-hearted when it comes to plants, but deal breakers for me are those selections with foliage that clashes with the color of the house. Someone else’s shopping errors don’t have to be endured. I also recommend dumping poorly planted shrubs that are too close to permanent structures or ones that are too much maintenance with little reward. I also won’t save chronically diseased or damaged plants that are on their last legs. Often these old-timers have just aged out and no amount of care will revive them.
Now that you’ve weeded out the objections, let’s talk about the plants you want to keep. You’ve got a number of options to give those old beauties a fresh look. If you’ve got a row of the same bushes that bore you to tears, take out every other one and add a new plant partner to bring in some contrast – or use some annuals or perennials to add color and variety around them. Open up existing beds by reshaping them with curved edges, or add features like statuary or a stunning specimen. This is great solution for those “something’s missing” areas.
Maybe you have some overgrown or lopsided selections, but you see potential. Then shear those woolly-looking boxwoods to geometric perfection for a formal contrast to nearby softer plants. Or try some “one time only” aggressive pruning. But keep it simple: Thin out a third of the old growth, remove dead stalks and nip back unruly branches. Downsizing chaotic overgrowth can allow new growth to re-establish a plant’s natural shape.
Creating a seamless transition between the old and the new is a great way to transform your new home’s existing garden into one that showcases your tastes – not the tastes of the previous owner. But be patient and really examine the landscape you just moved into. By taking advantage of some of the mature plants already there, you’ll have a yard that reflects your personal style and gardening sense in no time at all!
