2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

Were it not for the new railing, the house without bushes would really look naked. The addition of the railing offset the lack of bushes.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

The railings were put in several years ago and definitely added to the looks, but bushes were removed this summer and now it looks naked; the pain, the pain.

tcthome Loc: NJ

It looks good both ways. Some form of a low lying garden would be a nice replacement though. I see a new project coming on.

Marg Loc: Canadian transplanted to NW Alabama

Without. I don’t know her but I think I understand your wife completely. The bushes would look lovely covered with net lights but they provide places for critters ( 🦨🦡🐀🦔 ) to hide, ready to lunge at the first sight of a woman walking down the stairs. Encore azaleas would be a nice airy and colorful alternative.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I like it with bushes Dan.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

Yeah, bill, me too!

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

Thanks RJ, I needed that.

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

Without, cleaner look.

Brian S. Loc: Oak Park, MI

Without looks better to me.

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

I'm somewhere in the middle of the controversy. I love the garden and think softening the front of the house with some low-growing landscaping would set it off (maybe even some accents off to the side). However... the boxy shape of the bushes you removed ended up echoing the same shape as the house ... so maybe they were not the best foil for your cute house. I'd lobby for looking into some low growing plantings for that front bed that can provide interest and color through the seasons ... and try for things that will stay pretty manageable and have a natural soft shape you only occasionally need to "edit" with pruners (maybe a few smaller shrubby plants with room for some seasonal annuals and perennials with attractive foliage?). There are loads of attractive dwarf/small ornamental shrubs that have come onto the market in the past few years... and flowers can be optional if you work with pretty foliage combinations (but not too busy). A good nursery-person could give some suggestions for your exposure and situation. It's also fun to Google for images of entrance gardens and look at what people have already done ... for inspiration.

So... I agree with you that some landscaping in front of the house would be attractive. (I used to work at a nursery ... I'm always in favor of PLANTS!)

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Usually, I like hedges, but in your case, I think the house is better without them. Perhaps a couple of small junipers and some low perenials where the hedges were. What I would really concentrate on is getting some sort of lawn established.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

I agree with the hedges or some other greenery. It looks naked, incomplete, without anything there. But, fashion and styles do change. Maybe it will sell better to a young couple/family with the more 'simple' look.