SUGGESTED PLANTING PLAN

1 STEP UP

Build wider, shallow steps with solid risers up to the front porch and widen the entrance path to create a more substantial look and a pleasing sense of arrival. Risers should be around 180-200mm high and treads ideally 300mm wide. These can also double as seating. Paint the porch and steps to create a crisp, finished look.

2 SOFT TOUCHES

Soften base of house along inside of front path with a medium height (trimmed to 500-700mm) hedge. Do the same with low hedges (trimmed to 400-500mm height) along outside edge of path and driveway.

3 MAKE SCENTS

Plant a garden along front side of house with fragrant shrubs and/or flowering perennials such as daylilies, flag iris and Helleborus. Edge with a low, evergreen hedge to keep the garden looking tidy year-round.

4 COVER UP

Disguise plain wooden fence with a scented flowering climber such as star jasmine or wisteria.

5 BASE LINE

Replace small garden beds below trees with one long bed on inside of street fence. Plant with flowering shrubs as well as flowering perennials (as in step 3) and spring bulbs (daffodils, narcissus, etc). Mulch well to keep weeds down and edge with low hedge.

6 MAIN FEATURE

Plant three small, flowering trees along street boundary to provide an attractive view from the house while screening it from passersby. Choose trees that have coloured leaves in autumn, winter berries or spring blossom for year-round interest.