We decided to open up the front path because the original planting felt backward: big, overgrown shrubs crowded the porch while the sides felt bare. The result was a narrow, awkward walkway that made every trip to the door feel cramped. It was clear that balancing the plantings on either side of the porch and widening the path would instantly improve curb appeal and make the entry more welcoming.
After a landscaping consultation confirmed that several boxwoods were struggling—showing bare spots and diseased tops—we felt justified in removing and relocating them. We tried to transplant as many plants as possible into a nearby side lot to give them a better chance, but a few were beyond saving and had to be removed entirely.
On moving day we noticed how many times we were forced down that tight path, rubbing against the prickly branches. The consultation also recommended a four-foot-wide pathway so two people can comfortably walk side-by-side or carry large items without getting snagged on plants. With that guideline in mind, Operation: Clear the Path began.
First up were the azaleas that were planted too close to the porch, with roots sitting just inches from the brick. That tiny bed simply couldn’t support large shrubs. Because the soil had been wet from recent rain, the azaleas came out fairly easily and were moved to the side yard we’re naturalizing. There, they’ll add colorful pops without feeling cramped.
Next we tackled the row of boxwoods lining the other side of the walkway. Each took roughly fifteen to twenty minutes to dig up, and there were eight total, so this portion of the job stretched over a couple of nap times. A few plants were so far gone that we cut them out and removed the roots, while the healthier ones were successfully transplanted near the azaleas.
We also removed a lot of liriope (monkey grass) that had creeped over the pavers and visually narrowed the path by several inches on each side. Their root systems were hugging the stone, and clearing them away immediately made the walkway feel wider. Once cleared and mulched, the porch finally felt like it could breathe.
After clearing and mulching the beds, we left room to add small flowering perennials or annuals later. Because the planting strips are narrow, we’re holding out to choose varieties that are both attractive and well-suited to tight spaces. The intent is to plant something that enhances the path without reclaiming it.
The visual difference was dramatic. The path now reads as significantly wider, drawing the eye to the woodland beyond and to a much more open, welcoming porch. On the left side we plan to seed the brown patch so grass will meet the path directly, rather than having a planted border that cuts into walking room. That approach keeps maintenance simple—just mow a strip of lawn instead of establishing and tending another narrow bed.
From the opposite side, the change is equally obvious. Removing the dense clumps of boxwoods and trimming back aggressive groundcover transformed the approach to our home. Photos taken from a distance show a cleaner, more intentional exterior that feels closer to finished, even though there are still many projects left to tackle around the house.
All told, clearing the path and transplanting salvageable plants took about eight hours spread over a week. We prioritized finishing the groundwork before taking wide-angle photos, so the images now reflect a tidy, more open entrance. The progress is satisfying: the hard labor paid off, and the space is both more functional and visually pleasing.
Landscaping often requires patience, muscles, and time, but opening up a constricted front path is one of those improvements that instantly raises curb appeal and everyday comfort.
What does the path to your front door look like? Is it wide and clear, framed by neat plantings, or crowded with overgrown shrubs? Share your experience with clearing or rethinking your entryway—every small change adds up.