Japanese Influence

This brick rancher gets curb appeal from Japanese-inspired landscaping.

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Filed under: Stone, Plants, Curb Appeal, Home Staging

After

This 1960's brick ranch has very little curb appeal — the house has a low-pitched gable roof that overhangs a slab of concrete near the front door. The landscaping is non-existent except for a lawn that stretches from the road to the foundation of the house. Besides a little groundcover and few volunteer trees, the area is basically a blank slate. The homeowner is anxious to add character to her home without remodeling the exterior structure, but she doesn't know where to start. The goal is to incorporate elements found in Japanese design, including asymmetrical balance and well-placed rocks. Stones that represent unchanging stability and plants thought to offer good fortune are also included.

Plant List:

Before

Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka'
Pieris japonica
Japanese black pine
Azalea indica 'Formosa'
threadbranch cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) 'Sungold'
Japanese maple 'Sango Kaku'
Cutleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum dissectum) 'Garnet'
Indian hawthorn 'Clara'
dwarf Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens) 'Nana'
sweet flag (Acorus)
mondo grass
dwarf nandina
dwarf cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica)
variegated iris
'Okame' cherry