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How to landscape front yard on a budget?

Hello! I am looking for ideas on how to landscape my front yard (mulched area only). I have been unlucky with landscapers and toying with the idea of just giving up and doing it myself. I am struggling with figuring out which plants will be suitable for the space and existing plants, the layout and any other elements (gravel, etc) that can work well so it is a relatively simply yet cozy and low maintenance design.

What I am looking for plants wise is: no/low pollen as I am allergic, bord attracting, leafy but hardy. The front yard is north facing and gets full sun in summer (multiple heatwaves 40+ degrees) so plants would need to love sun but the righthand side gets shade from the jacaranda tree. I also have pencil pines on the other side of the driveway and want to move the small pencil pine there. Coverage for privacy where the windows are would be great too.

I have 2 Viburnum Dense Force along the fence and it has been suggestsed to buy 3 more to make a hedge of 5 Viburnums along the fence (once I move the pencil pine). Would this work? I would let them grow naturally and avoid shaping them as I like that rustic, natural look.

Plants I like: Ornamental cherry blossoms, lavender and Birds of Paradise (the orange ones). I have been told that these don't relaly fit with the pencil pines and the jacaranda but have not been given a "it is impossible to do" so I am hoping it still can be done somehow? I really like the cottage feel but aware that this is not really feasible because of the weather/environment difference and I am happy with a leafy garden with various shades of green. Pink, purple, blue, dark red and white flowers. Orange is good too but not yellow. I really like jewel toned colours.

The space does not have to be completely filled with plants, even no plants at all would be an option. I want something that I can easily maintain, i.e. no weeding, pruning, hedging, etc. (or mowing - no lawns please), can grow to full size without any shaping, hardy, drought tolerant. Happy for other elements (gravel, stones, etc.) to be used as well. I would like to keep the Agaves but happy to relocate, happy to remove the Grevilleas and the Jade plants as they are not working out anyway.

Sidenote: I also need retic installed. I know retic should be done first but I imagine the spinkler placement would be affected my the landscape design?

Any guidance and advice from experienced people would really be appreciated as I am totally lost. Thank you!

Edit: Thank you for all your comments! I am based in Perth, WA and the front gets really heated in summers. The Jacaranda does provide shade, mostly where the grevillea closer to the fence is. Prefer evergreens so the garden is leafy all year round. Simple design plans would be much appreciated as I have no idea how to put all the suggestions together.

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Planting and Growing

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Comments

Dave-1

Good Evening @kikimora

Playing around with landscaping can be a lot of fun 🙂 I like to start small and build my way to a design that I like over a longish period of time (years) as it gives the garden time to take shape and bed in. Once your larger trees/shrubs are established (first year) then you can think of what companion plants you might like and also decide if you still like the ones you have already planted. BTW plants that suilt your area will mnake your gardening much easier. If you would like us to suggest region specific plants just let us know the state or NZ you are in 🙂

I dont see why you cant go the route of some deciduious type trees. I have two liquid ambers that change their colours of leave sthroughout the seasons. In Summer, brilliant green and so much shade 🙂 then Autumn kicks in and they change then drop off entirely to maximise the winter sun. I keep the liquid ambers topped (lopped) at 5ish meters, I let them grow until they got to around 5m and then every two years I lop them, chop off the top and bring them back to the 5m mark. takes 2 years to grow about 1.5m ish. I max out my height by standing on the second rung from the top of my six foot ladder and use Ozito PXC 18V 160mm 6¼” Brushless Pruning Chainsaw PXBPCS-1815 - Skin Only to trim.

I also have some crepe myrtles that are deciduious as well, same thing I prune them every second year. They have brilliant pink flowers that dont really scent at all.

Last I have is a Jacaranda 🙂 You have one on your footpath by the look of it, can be a pain to mow under but love the purple flowers. Well worth it 🙂

So in your garden I am suggesting some trees (make sure the width is small and then you can prune to keep them manageable. Its something you really need to do otherwise you will end up with a too big tree 🙂 )

When you have sorted some trees, large styled shrubs you may like then you can place them around your front yard area, I would keep at least 2m from your roofline to keep it easy, also wouldnt put them in a straight line. in any direction, random placing I like. Drawing up a mudmap looking at the garden from above to approximate scale then drawing a circle around how big the plants you like is a good idea, really shows up what you want no matter what plants you choose. Maybe a birdbath, sculpture can be included in your sketch, birds will love the water (Near that tap makes it easy to top up)

Then freshen up your mulch and see how the season unfolds 🙂 At this point I would also like to welcome you to the bunnings community page 🙂 Take a stroll, you will see a lot of other questions and projects with setting up gardens in here 🙂

Dave

EricL

Hello @kikimora

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your landscaping your front yard.

It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into your front yard and you’re definitely not alone in feeling unsure especially since you've had challenges with landscapers in the past. Doing it yourself could be a great option, especially since you know what you like and need. Adding three more Viburnum Dense Fence plants to make a hedge of five is a great idea they’re low maintenance, grow thick and leafy, and look lovely without shaping, which fits your natural style.

As for your favourite plants like cherry blossoms, lavender, and Birds of Paradise, you don’t have to give them up. While they may not be a perfect match for pencil pines and jacaranda, they can still work if placed thoughtfully. Birds of Paradise love the heat, lavender just needs good sun and drainage, and a smaller ornamental tree could go near the shaded area. Even if it’s not a full cottage garden, you can still get that cozy, leafy feel with the right choices.

Using gravel and mulch along with plants is a smart way to keep things low maintenance. You can create simple garden beds with grouped plants, keep your agaves in a new spot if you like them, and clear out the plants that aren’t working. Jewel-toned flowers like purples, pinks, whites, and dark reds will look beautiful in your space and can be chosen to suit full sun or part shade.

You're right that the reticulation should come after you’ve planned where everything goes. That way, the sprinklers or drip system can be placed to match the plant layout and save water. You’re on the right path, and with a bit of planning, you can absolutely bring your vision to life.

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular front yard projects

Let me call on our experienced members @Tara86 and @EleventhCoastal for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Jason

Where are you based @kikimora? If you could let us know it might help other community members suggest the best plants that will thrive in your area.

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We're looking forward to seeing how you can transform your front yard.

Thanks,

Jason

Tara86

We built on a slope so our landscaping was quite difficult requiring retaining walls and proper drainage.
We had a few trail and errors but found that buying plants specifically suited for Australian climate worked best. We went with small shrubs & evergreens (I will have to find the actual names as it was awhile ago). We used black mulch and large rocks for the finishing feature.
As your front area is nice and straight starting with a decorative border to help seperate it from the lawn would look good. Use either nice pebbles or mulch for the base then decide if you want either a feature plant or use the space to put smaller plants.
Looking online for ideas is a great way to find the look your after. Good Luck!

kikimora

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/54463#Comment_54463

Thank you! I am based in Perth, WA. I have updated my post to include this.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/89465#Comment_89465

Thanks @kikimora.

Let me see if fellow West Australian @mich1972 can share her thoughts.

Jason

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