We tackled a complete front-yard transformation to give our little ranch-style house the curb appeal it deserved.
The shrubs around the house were more than 50 years old, overgrown, and so oversized they swallowed our short, stout rancher. It had to go.
We were a little embarrassed by how unruly things looked, but we knew how to find free landscaping help. We posted an ad offering azaleas and holly to anyone willing to dig them up and haul them away. Within a few days the bulk of the shrubs had new homes, leaving us with a much cleaner canvas to work with.
What remained was a patch of liriope—commonly called monkey grass—that nobody wanted, and a curious brick ledge that had been hidden by the old plantings.
A little digging and some well-placed swings of a sledgehammer solved the brick issue, and we prepared the beds by loosening the soil and adding compost from the backyard. That compost gave the new plants a great start without costing us anything.
We carefully selected plants that would suit the scale of our house and be planted far enough apart to avoid future crowding. This approach makes maintenance easier and ensures the house’s proportions remain visible as the plants mature. Mulching the beds was suddenly practical—something we couldn’t do before the overgrown shrubs were removed.
For balance and color we kept six azaleas—three on each side of the porch—added three Japanese andromeda in the back row, and planted a dwarf Alberta spruce on either side of the house to provide vertical interest. We filled in with boxwoods and transplanted hostas from the backyard, which cost us nothing and added immediate texture at the foundation. In hindsight we wished we’d added a simple dry creek bed beneath the downspout, but the overall layout feels far more intentional now.
On the opposite side of the porch we planted happy little boxwoods, the second dwarf Alberta spruce, and more free hostas. The repetition of shapes and heights anchors the entrance and creates a balanced, welcoming appearance.
After planting we mulched the beds to retain moisture and tidy the overall look. We also mixed in some of that well-aged compost around the new roots to encourage healthy growth. Here’s the budget overview: two dwarf spruces for $50, three boxwoods for $57, three Japanese andromeda for $57, mulch for $15, and hostas moved from the yard at no cost—bringing the total to $179. Our target was under $250, so we were very pleased with the result.
Now we look forward to coming home to a house that finally suits its setting. The new plantings highlight the porch and roofline instead of hiding them, and the tidy beds make the whole front yard feel fresh and well cared for.
It’s especially satisfying when you remember what the yard looked like when we first saw the house three years ago. The transformation is proof that sensible planning, a modest budget, and a little elbow grease can dramatically improve curb appeal.
What do you think of the overhaul? Are you planning any major landscaping projects this year, or curious how we chose plants to suit the scale of our home?