Hi! Newbie here and know absolutely nothing on landscaping/plants/shrubs, etc. As you can see, there is a bit of light by the front door, and is more North facing as it continues to the right of the house...low sun.

I'd like to have some shrubs/privacy tree on the right to separate my house/yard from the driveway/house to the right, then maybe a good focal area in the small space on the left of the bush next to the front door. Would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions?

More photos showing what is to the left and right of the area shown might help generate ideas.

Also location would help greatly

Hi boehnc,

If you can give your location (city or state) it will help to determine what shrubs and trees will do well in your part of the country.

Hi!

There are actually many options you can try depending on your location and the climate you live in. There are many shrubs that don't require full sun and will grow perfectly in these conditions. You can also try planting evergreens, they thrive in all kinds of temperatures and require very little maintenance. I live in Australia, and here many homeowners plant dwarf trees in their backyards, because they also require a small amount of sun. Maple, alder, redbud, dogwood, magnolias and many other similar trees prefer shade to sun, so you can check those out too.

Bill

Am I too late to join this party?

The others are right about needing to know the general area where you live. But, even taking a broader approach, this would be my suggestions.

I was trained that beds need to be 5' deep. That allows for a plant behind and one in front. Perhaps an evergreen in the back and perennials in the front. Your bed needs to be curved from the front and around the large pruned evergreen that you have. Make your curves gentle and you could plant some blooming perennials around the shrub. If you really would like to be industrious, then bring the bed out in front and capture the tree. You could then start your background planting on that side of the house and curve it so you see a lot less of that other driveway.

Sketch it out and take it to a NATIVE plant nursery. NOT one of the Big Box stores. Get native plants to go down and you'll never regret it. That nursery can make some suggestions and it would be easier to discuss their suggestion of plants if you both can be looking at a sketch of that area. Just indicate North, or better yet, East or West so they know how much sun/shade those areas get. Native plants know the soil, the weather and can adapt very quickly. Fall is the best time to plant. you can add some color with the second layer by adding salvias as an example. First, you might want to continue amending your soil. You get only one chance to do that and it's not after the plants are down. If you are apprehensive about their selection of plants, then write them down, take it back home and Google all of them. Then sketch in the mature size of your plants so you have an idea of how large of an area they will take. But, that native nursery should be able to steer you very well. There are native evergreens everywhere across the US.

Then, after you get your beds in, I'd consider planting the window trim white to set it off. Just a thought.

I do hope you post your AFTER photos. Enjoy yourself. Don't let it become a chore. With a gray house, everything will add color, even analogous. You'll do just fine.

Good luck. This is an easy fix.

Plantings are easier to install and change, but you'll want to be sure to put them in the right places so they can quickly play a role.

Trees, shrubs, and ground covers are permanent purchases that increase in size and value and take little maintenance. You can even use many edible plants in place of or along with ornamentals. They present little extra work except for harvesting.

Flowers take care and often require replanting, but they can fill in the gaps until your woody plants gain enough size to stand alone.

You can hire a professional, so that they will give you best suggestion to make your front of house beautiful.

There's quite a few ways to achieve privacy in your yard
Bamboo
Neighbors be gone (large shrub)
lattice screens
sails

I'm looking out my window at my neighbors olive trees right now which is what he uses

ideas taken from:
zacsgarden.com/how-to-start-a-garden/garden-ideas/easiest-landscaping-ideas-privacy/

I'm sure your local nursery would have plenty of ideas too