We decided to clear the path to the porch. I’m not great at math, but I can dig a path, and John happens to be good at both. This photo was taken before we started working on the garden beds on either side of the porch so you can see how that clump of shrubs in front of the porch looked awkward and unbalanced. Plants placed on either side of the porch would create symmetry, and the path to the door should feel open and airy rather than crowded by overgrown boxwoods. It felt backwards: the focal point was in the middle instead of framing the porch properly.
After a landscape professional confirmed that several boxwoods were failing—showing bare spots and diseased tops—we felt even more confident about opening the space so the walkway felt less cramped. We did try to transplant as many shrubs as possible into other areas to give them a chance in less crowded locations.
On moving day we practically dragged everything down that path a thousand times, with branches scraping our arms and catching on gear. The lesson from our landscaping consultation was helpful: pathways should ideally be about four feet wide so two people can walk side-by-side or carry large items without getting snagged by vegetation. Making the path feel as wide as possible was the main goal.
Operation Clear The Path began by removing azaleas that were crowding the porch; their bases were only inches from the brick. That narrow bed wasn’t a suitable home for large shrubs. Because the soil had been moistened by rain the day before, digging them up was manageable, and we transplanted them to a side yard we’re naturalizing so they’ll have more room and will add color without being cramped.
Next we removed the boxwoods lining the other side of the path. Those were tougher to extract, but again the wet soil helped. It took roughly fifteen to twenty minutes per bush, and with eight of them this phase stretched over two naps and took nearly three hours. A few plants were beyond saving, so we cut them out and removed the roots. The healthier-looking boxwoods were moved to the side lot near the azaleas.
We also spent time digging out large patches of liriope (monkey grass) that had encroached onto the pavers, narrowing the visual and physical width of the path by at least six inches on each side. The root system had even started to cover some pavers. Clearing that aggressive groundcover immediately widened the walkway and removed the feeling of being tickled or squeezed as you passed.
After clearing the beds, we applied mulch along the length of the planting areas to help suppress weeds. We plan to add small flowering perennials or annuals later—plants that will do well in a narrow strip and won’t overwhelm the walkway. For now we’re taking our time to choose options we truly like rather than settling for something mediocre.
Removing the crowded boxwoods made a dramatic difference. The path now looks much wider and more welcoming; your eye naturally travels toward the woods beyond and the open porch rather than the previous wall of green. We intend to seed the left side so grass meets the path edge, creating a clean, open look without planting another narrow bed that would need constant maintenance. That brown patch will soon be a green edge of lawn, which simplifies upkeep.
From the opposite side the change is equally noticeable. Looking from a bit further away, the transformation is obvious compared with how the house looked when we first moved in. We still have many exterior projects on our list, but this improvement is a big step toward a more inviting front entrance.
Overall the clearing and transplanting took about eight hours spread over several sessions. We started the project about a week ago and waited to photograph wide shots until the path was stable and presentable. Seeing the before pictures reminds us how far we’ve come—slowly but surely.
What does the path to your front door look like? Is it clear and open, filled with flowering plants, or crowded with overgrown shrubs you’re planning to move? Tell us all about it.