I need help getting started!

4 comments

my husband and i had a get deal of work done to our house last year, including the addition of a front porch (which I love). because of the added depth, it required removing all existing plants in front of the house. i have contacted and/or paid several landscapers over the last several months to get a beginning landscaping plan; however, they have just drawn rough plans and expect me to contract the work with them without any real explanation. furthermore, the plans have varied greatly in their symmetry leaving me even more confused. i feel the landscapers are more concerned with making money than making me happy. at this point, i feel like i have a blank canvas to work with and getting started should be fun rather than frustrating.

here are the basics:
-the house faces southeast
-i am in zone 7 but close to zone 6 in Charlottesville, Virginia
-the house is 30 years old, in an established neighborhood with many large mature trees
-azaleas thrive in my area so im guessing my soil is somewhat acidic
-drainage seems good
-i have small dogs that love being out front, requiring wire tie-outs. i plan is to use a 1 foot tall physical barrier to protect the plants from the dogs
-i would like to start with 3 layers of plants but dont want those to extend more than 6 feet away from the porch
-the front of the house is perfectly symmetrical
-all plants selected will be grown locally
-the more southern side of the house lattice is 48" tall and the other end is 40" tall
-the steps are 7’ wide
-the width from the side of the steps to the corner of the house is 15 1/2’ (both sides)
-we have a circular driveway as well as a straight driveway

at this time, i have decided to use a business landscaper that does the work at my husbands store. that will take some of the financial motive away from the residential landscapers while insuring a good planting. the work done to the house required removal of most everything around its perimeter of the house but am concentrating on the front right as im having so much trouble. after the front is done, i will still have so much to do, including multiple other areas in the front, both sides of the house, the backyard and around the new back deck and screened in porch. i have so much to learn and getting started is very intimidating.
i would love to hear from someone that loves basic landscaping and i can learn from as i am eager to begin!
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
sharon

• 27 Apr, 2008
• 0 likes

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