Landscape Plan Review: Northeast Ohio Property

A homeowner in Northeast Ohio proposes an extensive landscape with blue holly, bird's nest spruce, boxwood, Kousa dogwood, Japanese maple 'Bloodgood', weeping crabapple, and a mound featuring Coral Burst crabapple, hawthorn, or river birch. Backyard includes butterfly bush, Miss Kim lilac, hydrangea, azalea, viburnum, weigela, winterberry holly, redbud, rhododendron, spirea, and sweet bay magnolia with lighting.

Front Yard Feedback

• Plant repetition: Use blue holly, boxwood, and bird's nest spruce in drifts across front and back for unity.
• Mound planting: Bury boulders one-third deep; mulch around them for a natural look.
• Weeping crabapple: Place as a focal point near the entrance or in the mound bed. 'Louisa' or 'Red Jade' are disease-resistant.
• Kousa dogwood: Better than flowering dogwood for sun and disease resistance.

Backyard Feedback

• Miss Kim lilac: Needs full sun; site accordingly.
• Butterfly bush: Can be invasive; consider sterile cultivars like 'Blue Chip'.
• Sweet bay magnolia: Semi-evergreen, fragrant flowers; great with uplighting.
• Decking: Composite (e.g., Trex) offers low maintenance; cedar requires periodic staining. Vinyl can look artificial.
• Lighting: Invest in professional low-voltage system (quality transformer, brass fixtures) for longevity.

Design Principles

Group plants in odd numbers, use curved beds, and include specimen plants for focal points. Ensure proper spacing for mature sizes.