My front yard landscaping is looking SO great after being in just a little over a year.  It was last June when my friends from Southern Living Plant collection and Carmen Johnston came in and transformed my front yard.  I documented that whole process so you can see what all was done.  It’s so nice to have an irrigation system so that I don’t have to worry about those plants making it.  And with all the rain we’ve gotten this summer, they are doing well.  I’ve only lost a couple of them over the months and the rest of them are growing and spreading out like crazy.
In case you are new here, this is the first time I laid eyes on my fixer-upper house. Â It had ZERO curb appeal back then, but I’m happy to say that has changed in the last 3 years.
And now it looks like this! I’m still amazed when I drive up to my house.
That it’s gone from THIS……..
To THIS, is nothing short of crazy good!
One big change for me recently is I’ve hired a landscape company to come in and take care of my grass and beds.  The weeds were getting out of control in the landscaped beds this summer, even after putting down weed preventer.  I handled the mowing pretty well, but didn’t do so well on the extras like blowing, trimming, edging and all of that, so it’s SO nice to have a team of guys come in and handle that for me, every other week.  It’s a small company and he handles everything, from bi-weekly mowing, to treating the grass and all that goes along with that process.  After my landscaping was installed, I seriously thought about adding sod to the front yard, but after a year of growing, my grass is looking great, so I’m going to work with what I have.
After putting in the irrigation system, there were trenches dug which left dirt scars around my yard, but now they have all filled in. Â My landscape guy is going to continue to work on my existing grass and will kill the weeds and feed the grass. Â I’m really happy with how it’s all looking just a month after he took over and I’m sure it will continue to get better and better. Â It will definitely be worth it to me. I’d much rather have a lawn service than a maid (which I don’t have), so it’s money well spent for me.
The plants are doing well and he will continue working on my pine straw beds to keep the weeds down and we will add new pine straw as needed too.
This pic was taken last June, just after the plants were installed. They were so pretty, it was exciting to see plants finally going in and it all looked great.  Notice the dirt trench in the grass that was left.
This is the view from the corner of the house after plants were installed and pine straw added.
One year later, those plants are exploding with growth  The grass is looking so good and my gardenias are blooming right now.  What a difference a year makes!
New windows certainly made a huge difference in the lower level too. Â I knew all the additional light coming inside the house was going to be great, but I didn’t even take in account how much the curb appeal would change on the outside as well.
And here’s the fireplace bed last year, right after planting and before adding the retaining wall. Â I had left a small area of grass here last year, but then decided to pine straw all of it and I will probably add more plants in that area too.
Huge difference here too! Â I get so excited when I look back at all the progress out here.
The Angyostar vines growing on the trellis are about to completely take it over. Â I’ve been really happy with how this turned out, disguising the floating fireplace.
I’m going to plant something else at the base of the vines eventually to layer this area.
I’m so proud of my front yard now!
Those dwarf Crepe Myrtles are so pretty blooming in front.
I couldn’t be happier with how the front porch turned out either.
Now this the view from the top floor of my house looking outside. Â I do have one more big impact project that is about to happen.
I have a couple more outdoor projects to complete and one area that I haven’t shown y’all much of is this ugly block wall at the end of my driveway. Â It was in sad shape when I bought the house and I am just now getting around to doing something with it.
I’m sure it’s original to the house and is not in the best shape, but I want to save it and not have to tear it down, even though it’s leaning towards the driveway a bit. Â It has shifted some over the years, but I’m going to salvage it. Â First thing I did last week, I just finished pressure washing it, peeling the old paint off in layers. There was ivy growing in the right corner from the neighbor’s yard, so I got all that off there too.
Now it looks like this, ready for a fresh coat of stucco paint. Â My dad is coming over and we are going to repair the cracks in the wall and get it ready to paint. Â I’ve got a Rustoleum product I’ll use on it and of course, share it all with you. Â It’s been the last area that I’ve tackled outside and I can’t wait to get this eyesore beautified (well as much as concrete block walls can be made pretty). Â Painting it with a fresh coat of dark gray paint will work wonders on it.
Thought you all might enjoy seeing how my yard has progressed over the last 3 years. Â Sure does make me happy and I can’t wait to show it off at my Open House in a few weeks. Â I’ll be posting about that this week too, so stay tuned!
You and your dad have don
What a difference, Rhoda! You’ve done so much to your home and it looks so pretty! I know you’re loving it.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
It looks so pretty Rhoda!! Weeds are one reason I am not a gardener!! I just hate dealing with them. One of the reasons we moved to our townhome community is the lawn care that is offered!! I do take care of the small flower beds around the front however and they look pretty good if I do say so myself. I love seeing the pictures of the before and after!
It all looks wonderful, Rhoda. Congratulations on the success of your landscaping. Cheers, Ardith
I can’t wait to see what the wall will look like and what you’ll be adding to your yard. You have done so much and it all looks beautiful inside and outside. You are so fortunate to have your dad to help and be so talented! Looking forward to your open house coming up soon!
Nice job! Looks great. You are fortunate to have your father around to help. My husband has been helping my daughter and her husband with their home. I love the color of your front door. It makes your home look welcoming.
The yard looks great! I too have lots of work ahead of me in my garden and at times it gets overwhelming for those like me who unfortunately don’t have a green thumb! I have an angyostar vine in my yard as well and let me tell you, that plant is a trooper! Snow, rain or shine it just grows and grows and grows. It’s climbed all the way up the wall and I’m going to have to have it trimmed because it’s gotten a little out of control! Great job!
Rhoda, your landscape looks just awesome. There’s nothing better than seeing the fruits of a gardener’s labors. Having hired the landscape maintenance folks, you know what a job it is, and can really appreciate their work too going forward. Your wall already looks better with just the power washing too. Beautiful home and garden.
Rita
Hi, What color is your front door?
Hi, Lizanne, my front door is Annie Sloan Florence.
It looks wonderful. Landscaping does make a great difference. We live in a university town and unfortunately there is a trend taking over here — natural landscaping. This translates let your yard go to hell and don’t mow, weed or mulch. These are university professors and not the down trodden. Our area used to be a beautiful sight — now it looks overgrown. We still keep up with our yard but surrounding us is hit and miss with yard care. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve done inside.
Wow! It looks gorgeous! I love how your fireplace chimney does not “float” anymore (what a simple fix!). The new windows also make a huge difference. You’ve done a great job.
Beautiful job, Rhoda. When our house is finished I hope to find a small landscape maintenance company like you did.
So beautiful, Rhoda. It must smell like heaven going up to your front door. I get giddy from just going past one! Great job. Suggestion for the wall; if you add an urn or two on top it might make it look more impressive, with some spillover plants in between?
Speaking of the gardenias, of course. Left that out.
Your yard is beautiful! We are just getting ours in shape too after moving in 2.5 years ago. Like you the inside had to be redone first. I love everything you have done, Rhoda – amazing transformation of the house and yard!
Rhonda,
You are personally modeling what you inspire others to do.
Sorry to miss your open house. You will bless many.
Sincerely,
Angie Smith
Rhoda, your yard and home look great! I recently moved into a new house where there is no landscaping. We are starting from scratch. I find that to be challenging but also a pleasant job since we love working with plants and trees. The mature landscaping is the only thing I miss from our last home of 28 years but I’m looking forward to creating a wonderful yard at my new home.
Hi Rhoda, Wow, Landscaping sure does make a difference. Your yard looks great. How tall will your dwarf crepe myrtles get? Might have to get some! Hope to see you at your open house.
Phyllis, I just looked them up again and they are Early Bird variety and the website says they will get to mature height of 5 to 8′. I hope to keep mine smaller and not let them get too big.
Rhoda you have done an amazing job on the exterior of your home! What a difference the windows make as well as the landscaping! I too have opted for lawn service over a housekeeper. I just had 30 bales of pine straw delivered to refresh the yard. It’s makes such a difference. So nice that you have your Dad close by to help on your projects!
Your yard is beautiful. Do you have trouble with deer where you are, Rhoda? We have to be so careful what we plant.
Your landscaping looks great! Is your irrigation system on city water or a well?
THeresa, it’s on city water, so it’s not cheap to run. But, I’m so glad I have it to use when I need it.