I’m not sure I’ve ever considered my home’s curb appeal. We are not planning on selling our home, and honestly, I haven’t given much thought to seeing the house and garden through someone else’s eyes.
We live on a quiet street, so automobile traffic is limited to those who live nearby. However, there is plenty of foot traffic.
***This photo shows enviable curb appeal!
Last week, my neighbour, who lives directly across the street, invited me to see their recent interior renovation. As I walked back home, I took a good look at 
my house, seeing it for the first time from this perspective. Although our house is not a bungalow, it has a fairly low profile, and the garden is flat. The vegetation at this time of the year is brown and drab. Yes, the boxwood has been uncovered and is greenish, but it’s far from looking its best. Through my eyes, all I saw were downed broken willow branches, wind-blown leaves, shrubs that needed pruning, and a dusty house and grimy windows.
I’ve spent the last week thinking about improving the curb appeal, especially at this time of year. I realized that the front garden was devoid of evergreen interest in winter and early spring. The existing vegetation’s height or form does not vary. What to do now? I’m not sure, but this will be a priority this summer.
Everything looks much better once the trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs have broken dormancy.
My favourite summer look is the Cotoneaster hedge. It defines the garden’s form and reliably returns every year. It’s lush and green.
Autumn is the most colourful time of the year in my garden. As the hydrangeas wind down for the season, they turn bright pink. Although the elm tree is not in the front garden, it towers over the house and is very much visible from the street.
Even winter brings a new dimension to the garden. Snow offers a beautiful contrast.
I know that April isn’t the prettiest month of the year for our growing zone, but there is always room for improvement. Last summer my attention was on the back garden…looks like I’ll be spending quality time in the front this year!
xox Judy❤️
Always lovely!
Thank you Tina, good to hear from you. xox Judy❤️
This time of year public and private areas are brown and dusty looking. We need a good rain to wash the grim away, and the sand off the streets. Not able to wait for rain, I was in the yard this morning, hosing down my very dirty Bergenia etc. plants. Kind of like outdoor dusting – haha. Your front and back yard are lovely, and inspirational. But, as we all know, a gardener’s work is never done.
Hi Karen, I guess we all see the imperfections in our own gardens! It just sort of stops you in your tracks when you see everything (all the grubby things) at once! I’ll be dragging out my hose soon too. xox Judy❤️
I agree Judy. Yes, drag out your hose. Guaranteed, it will feel so good.
😎
I feel the same way about my own front garden this time of year Judy. I did some “spring cleaning” in the garden this past week (my back is now paying the price!) and it was nice to see little green shoots coming up but it still looks brown and barren at the moment. Whenever I come home from walking Cooper I stand on the sidewalk and look at what else I could do to make the garden more appealing because. There always seems to be spots during the summer where the flowers have faded and it looks dull. I think I’ll add some more flowers which will actually bloom for the entire summer…if that’s possible. Your garden is beautiful and I’m sure it will look beautiful again once it’s wakened up from a long winter nap! Hugs, Karen xo❤️
Hi Karen, Gardeners are never completely happy with our gardens…are we? What concerns me this spring is the winter damage on the boxwood hedges, especially in the front garden. I have been pruning back the tops and will get some manure and water on them hopefully this weekend and hope for the best. Considering the winter was relatively mild, it’s surprising how slow the garden is to wake up. Soon the greenhouses will be full of annuals and all our troubles will go away! xox Judy❤️
I hope your boxwood comes back with all your TLC 🥰Judy because you’ve put so much time and energy into it and it’s always looked so lovely and manicured. After cleaning up and pruning the back garden yesterday, I’m not too sure that my some of my perennials survived this winter either. I’ve been lucky with my lavender plants the past few years but they’re not looking too happy at the moment. I’ll give them a bit more time and, if not, then it’s off to the greenhouse for sure! Hugs, Karen xo❤️
Hi Karen, It’s been a busy few days in the garden…mostly tending to the boxwood. For sure some survived…now it’s a wait and see as to how the rest did! I’m sorry to hear about your lavender and now that I think about it, my lavender isn’t doing much either. What we need is some rain!!! xox Judy❤️