We’re back with the full front-yard landscaping makeover.

When we said the 50+ year-old shrubs around our house were overgrown, overcrowded, and overwhelming our short, stout rancher, we meant it:

Admittedly, it was embarrassing. But we know how to find free labor for landscaping projects, so we posted an ad offering free azaleas and hollies to anyone willing to dig them out and haul them away. In no time at all the giant shrubs were gone and we had a much cleaner canvas to work with—those towering plants found new homes and finally stopped dwarfing the house.

We did end up with some unwanted liriope (monkey grass) and a strange brick ledge that had once been hidden behind the mass of shrubs. The ledge and the densely packed groundcover limited what we could do initially, but a little digging and some sledgehammer work solved that problem and opened up the beds.

Next we loosened and amended the soil, mixing in compost we had brewed in the backyard, and planned plant spacing carefully so the new shrubs would reach the right mature size without overcrowding each other. Spacing plants correctly at planting time saves a lot of future maintenance and keeps the house from being swallowed by foliage again. With room to work, mulching became practical—something that had been nearly impossible when everything was jammed together.

We kept six azaleas—three on each side of the porch—then added three Japanese andromeda in the rear row for structure and interest. To add vertical balance and winter interest, we planted a dwarf Alberta spruce on each side of the house. We also moved several hostas from the backyard to the front, giving us attractive, low-maintenance groundcover for minimal cost. One small regret: we didn’t add a simple dry creek bed beneath the downspout, which would have been a nice finishing touch.

On the other side of the porch we planted a row of boxwoods, added the second dwarf Alberta spruce, and placed more transplanted hostas to fill in shady spots. The result is a balanced composition with year-round structure and seasonal color from the azaleas and andromeda.

After planting we applied a generous layer of mulch over the amended soil and around the new plants. Mulch keeps moisture in, suppresses weeds, and gives the beds a finished, cared-for appearance. Here’s our straightforward cost breakdown: two dwarf spruces for $50, three boxwoods for $57, three Japanese andromeda for $57, mulch for $15, and hostas moved from the backyard at no cost. Total expenditure: $179. We aimed to keep the entire project under $250, so we’re very pleased with that outcome.

We still can’t get over how different the house looks now. Returning home to this refreshed facade makes the property feel new all over again:

It’s especially satisfying to contrast this with how the house looked when we first made an offer three years ago. The transformation shows how thoughtful pruning, selective removal, soil improvement, and strategic planting can dramatically improve curb appeal without breaking the bank.

What do you think of the renovation? Are you planning a major landscaping refresh this year, or wondering how we managed to fall in love with a house that once looked so overgrown? We’d love to hear your plans and tips for creating low-cost, high-impact front-yard makeovers.