front entry garden design - planning for multiple views

While there was nothing I wanted more than to take down those two giant spruce trees in my front yard, that doesn't mean I'm done.  Nope, I plan to put in native, low-maintenance shrubs and drought-tolerant perennials to fill the space!  The stumps haven't even been ground out yet but I've been busy planning already.

But how to plan a garden that is seen from multiple views?  This garden will be viewed from about 270^o and that makes for a big challenge.  Plus there are specific purposes that must be achieved.  The neighbour's house and the rain barrels need to be screened from view as you come up the front walk.  The trucks parked on the street need to be screened from the living room window.   You get the idea.  For these reasons, getting the placement of trees and shrubs right is key. 

So I was outside on the week-end, moving cut pieces of tree trunk around to mark out where I wanted to plant trees and shrubs, then standing back and viewing the stumps from multiple directions, to get their placement just right.  It is a very helpful trick!  For markers, pots or anything easily visible from a short distance would also work.  And then of course, you can take pictures and draw on them to help visualize the end result:

Above: As you come up the walk, a large juniper and several Saskatoon shrubs will help screen your view of the neighbour's house.  A nannyberry shrub will be planted in the shadier corner to help hide the rain barrels.  Ah, that's better!

Above: As you get closer to the front steps, or as you come around the path from the other side of the house, those same Saskatoon shrubs will provide a backdrop for the little sitting area and birdbath.

Above: And those same shrubs will also help screen the view of the street from inside the house.  Some blue oat grass will also provide some eye-catching colour and texture to distract your eye from the street.

Okay.  Now I'm dying for spring.

 

Comments

[Paula H.]

Wow! It looks so different. You must be blinded by all the daylight coming into the house. Now all you need is a lot of snow to make up for the water sucking trees!!

[jencmorris]

Wow, what a difference! I love the placements you've come up with, its going to look fantastic!

[Calgary Garden Coach]

Thank you Paula and Jen! It is definitely nice to have more light, but I admit I do miss the greenery right now. I can't wait to plant!
Janice