Could use some help on how to spruce up my yard.. PIC

[dexion]

Just bought this house new that was built over a year ago and the original landscaping is very basic and i have pulled most of the bushes along the house.. also, are there any computer programs i can buy to see what it would look like before i plant? as far as climate, this is a chicago suburb and i am not opposed to some funky non-traditional plantings.

[Swampy]

My opinion:
Add some landscape boulders, or a small out cropping of stone in the front yard.

Add something of interest, or a focial point. I.E. a tree with a Weeping form or something with interesting structure like a Pagoda Dogwood.

[Smallaxe]

For large house - large trees... Those developments should be in the forest...

[KGR landscapeing]

what about a border this side of the side walk with short hedge or perrenial boarder. and what about a light post at the corner of the driveway and sidewalk.

[chaser2587]

Some hardscaping would look nice

[eatonpcat]

I think you should start with some window treatments... Don't want the neighbors peekin at wifeypoo!!

[jimmyburg]

water stays on grass, grass gets green. water on driveway = waist no matter how much it gets watered you cant mow it.

[TheNatural]

Add some stripes on that lawn and call it good...nice and simple. :)

[mandmrossi]

Think maybe some hardscape island in the middle with a few shrubs and few more hard scapes up near the home either side of the dorr entry would do it. Simple.

[MarkintheGarden]

You should have a design created by a qualified landscape designer. The money that you spend to have a design created will save you the money and time you will waste with trial and error.

Looking at the photo, my guess is that is a very nice house and is a valuable asset, you should make the most of your investment, and a good designer can show you how.

A good designer can take into consideration your preferences and combine them with a multitude of other factors such as seasonal considerations, your micro climate, level of maintenance, short and long term results, horticultural considerations for your area, the design features of the building, the views of the landscape from within the house and the street angles, etc. etc, etc, and create outdoor spaces bringing the house and the land together, spaces you will love to spend time in.

A good design can be put in place in stages, and will allow you to get the best prices on the materials that you use. If you have a good design, you can work at it yourself or you can get several bids to complete the work according to the design.

Many companies do design for free, if they do the install. This can be a good deal, but not if the design specifies what they want to sell rather than what would look best and do best on your property.

There are computer programs that allow you to see what it will look like when planted and some that will even show you what it will look like in years to come. I do not use these because for the most part they are more of a sales tool than a design tool.

A good design can be the difference between added property value and an expensive liability. As one poster said, large trees for a large house, and I totally agree, but if you plant the wrong trees, or even the right trees in the wrong place, you could end up spending a lot of money correcting the error. On the other hand a well planned and executed landscape will increase the value of the property, be the envy of the neighborhood, and be a quick mover at top dollar should you ever put the property on the market.

Get a landscape design from a proven designer anything else is just crazy talk.

[mdlwn1]

For large house - large trees... Those developments should be in the forest...

this...................

[Kiril]

Trees and privacy first ........ and please fix the irrigation system.