Outdoor makeover Week 1: Hey yew, get off of my yard
Remember when yews were the bush in fashion?
The house we bought from my in-laws had plenty, and soon after purchase, I decided to remove many of them.
My husband says I cannot take the ones in front out unless we have a replacement plan — and money!
They continue to get more and more overgrown every year, and each winter we spend too much effort knocking the snow off (so they don’t die!).
When a skunk fell into the window well, I had to have a neighbor pull the bush aside in order for me to get in there and put a cover on.
Please bring my house into the 21st century of landscaping!
Transformation by Lurvey Landscape Supply & Garden Center
Budget: $5,000 or more
The existing landscaping is typical of 1950s, 1960s foundation plantings with yew hedges trimmed tight and close to the house.
Ÿ Remove existing yew hedges and create a new curvy flowing bed line to incorporate a new updated landscape.
Ÿ Install a combination of new plant material. Anchor the corner of the house with a serviceberry or other smaller ornamental tree. Use Green Velvet Boxwood, Little Lime Hydrangea, Little Devil Ninebark, Green Velvet Boxwood, Knock Out Roses, Happy Returns Daylily, East Friesland Salvia, and other seasonal plantings to give a layered look with multiple heights, colors and textures to the landscape.
This new combination will make the landscape feel more garden like and bring the house and landscape together.
Ÿ Add outcropping stones near the ornamental tree to add another dimension and anchor the house, other touches of outcropping can also be used near the front entry.
Ÿ Finish the front entry off with a decorative container filled with seasonal plantings which can be changed out with the seasons.