Every year at this time I like to document the improvements and changes to our home’s exterior. It isn’t grand, but there’s something about the spring green grass, the fresh mulch and new blooms that make me conscious of how far we’ve come. 2015 is the first year we aren’t embarrassed by our home’s curb appeal – or lack thereof. Pssst – Can you spot the kitty peeking out the front door?
Probably the biggest difference between this year and previous years is the concrete driveway. Not only has it cleaned up the house’s curb appeal, it has tremendously decreased the amount of dirt and debris that gets tracked into the house. The old asphalt driveway was crumbling and held water, dirt, mud and rocks which inevitably made their way into our house and cars. After the driveway was installed last summer, we sealed it, planted new grass seed and added river rock around the front walk where it meets the driveway. Thanks to a wet fall and rainy spring, the grass filled in without too much assistance from the sprinkler. We considered rock walls or planters for the transition from the driveway to the walk, but the river rock was an easy solution and it ties in to the rock in the front beds.
The trash enclosure is doing its job. We haven’t sprung for a new garage door yet. Last year’s stopgap paint job is holding up so well that we’ll most likely keep it around for another year or two.
A few weeks ago I took inventory of the landscaping. We lost a lily of the valley and a fountain grass. Both were planted last year. That’s not too bad considering the harsh winter we endured. (I read Ohio was colder than Alaska this past winter!)
A few of the golden mop cypress were looking feeble last spring but I pruned the brown stuff and now they’re as vibrant as ever.
The rose bushes are thriving with little maintenance on my part. I deadhead them every week or so during the summer and cut them back in the fall. I love the creamy petals.
After not blooming last year, the hydrangeas are back in action! Last summer they were big and leafy and green without a single bloom. I spoke with a local nursery and they chalked it up to a cold and snowy winter. (2013 and 2014 have been some of the snowiest and coldest on record here in Ohio.) They suggested I wait it out and see how they do over the next few years. After another harsh winter, I wasn’t very optimistic. But they’re blooming!
Up until this year, most of the landscaping we’ve done has been super basic. For two reasons: 1) Landscaping is not our strong suit. 2) We’ve always planned to add as we go. We feel more comfortable establishing a base and adding to it when we can afford / care for it. It’s definitely a learn-as-we-go experience for us. Steve usually takes care of the larger stuff (like digging the beds) and mows the lawn. Typically, I make the plant selections and water, fertilize, deadhead, prune, etc. Basically, Steve can’t be held accountable for anything dying. That’s all me. But now that my alive : dead ratio is the highest it’s ever been (!), I though it might be okay to try some new plantings.
Layne accompanied me to the nursery a few weeks ago. He LOVES the nursery. He was really excited to pick out more colorful plants. He said, “Mom, this is the first time you aren’t buying green everything.”
I added a trail of sunsparkler dazzleberry sedum (a.k.a. razzleberry) next to the river rock near the front entry. I don’t know which I love more: the texture or the name? Just try to say “dazzleberry” without smiling. In the fall it will produce raspberry clusters and over time it will spread. I can’t wait.
Layne chose the annuals for the container near the door. I told him to pick something tall, something flowery and something trailing. He did a great job! Last year I used rosemary in the planter. I loved the way the fragrance wafted up to greet you at the door, but this colorful arrangement is pretty welcoming, too. (Plus, we have plans to grow herbs in a raised garden bed…keep reading.)
Layne also talked me in to hot pink wave petunias. I bought a half dozen or so and sprinkled them in for hits of bright color here and there. He also picked out two sonic bloom pink weigela. I forgot to grab a shot of them but you can see one in the background of the golden mop cypress shot, eight pics back.
Keeping with the pink theme, I planted dianthus in the front bed near the walk…
…along with creeping jenny.
The miss kim lilac was a splurge. On a recent visit, Everett’s chiropractor had fresh lilac blooms in the bathroom and they smelled so good I vowed to plant one at our house. It had the most gorgeous, fragrant blooms when I planted it but they were fleeting. I just missed them when I took these pictures last week. I’m anxiously waiting for next spring.
The smaller shrub in front of the lilac is a little lime hydrangea. I planted two of them last year to replace mini crape myrtle that didn’t survive the winter. I bought the little limes late in the summer and they didn’t look that great but they were discounted so I thought I would give them a try. No blooms yet but my fingers are crossed. They already look healthier than they did last year.
Moving to the back (north-facing) yard, I planted a trio of hosta at the corner.
The chardonnay pearls are filling out nicely just one year in. I missed capturing their white, pearl-like spring blooms but they might be my favorite of all the perennials. They have a great organic shape and the blooms fill our bedroom with the sweetest scent when the window is open.
I added several caladium in front of the heat pump to try to disguise it. I love the colorful, veiny, heart-shaped leaves.
Finally, we cleared out the northeast corner of the backyard to make room for a compost and raised garden beds. At the time these pictures were taken, the beds were made and in place (upside down) waiting to be sunk and filled with topsoil. Spoiler alert: they’re sunk and filled!
A little 2011 vs. 2015 comparison because that always makes me feel better…
It isn’t perfect and it didn’t happen overnight, but it’s definitely an improvement. With the front of the house looking much better, we’re turning our attention to the backyard this summer. A compost, raised garden beds and a screen for the electric meter are in the works. I’ll share more soon!
images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
DIY, renovation