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From: Gerard Aflague - Sinajana, GUAM- July 28, 1997
Problem: Although I live well outside of zone 10, in the real tropics of Guam. This question is more related to landscape architecture rather than plant species problems. I have a two story home. Solid white in color. ( I hope you can visualize my plot.) Facing the front of the house, I have a 15 ft wide driveway leading to a garage on the left side of the house, around 50 feet long with a connector 3 ft wide and 15 foot long sidewalk leading to the front of my covered porch towards the middle portion of my house where my front door is. To the left side of the house, I have a small plot of lawn space approximately 12 ft. wide leading from the street and extending around 65 ft. almost to the back corner of my house. On the other side of the house is a plot of the same size, however, a driveway exists leading to the rear garage that I have. Now for the plants. On the left narrow but long lawn, I have a 65 foot hedge 4 feet tall running. The square lawn that fronts my house is about 50 ft. square. I do have some ground cover and short hedges that run on the perimeter of my driveway. I also have 5 medium sized trees that line the road and are about 50 from my house. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I DO NOT LIKE THE FACT THAT I HAVE TREES LINING MY FRONT YARD (I DO NOT HAVE SIDEWALKS). IT IS AS THOUGH IT BLOCKS THE LOOKS OF THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.ALTHOUGH, I DO WANT TO HAVE A TREE OR TWO ON MY LAWN, HOW DO I PLACE IT STRATEGICALLY WHERE IT WILL LOOK PLEASING AND VERY AESTHETIC? PLEASE HELP ME. IF YOU WANT TO SEE A SKETCH OR SOMETHING, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO MAIL YOU SOMETHING. LET ME KNOW.
Solution: I would suggest small trees close to the house. Something that would stay 20' or less in height. Maybe one in between the walkway and driveway, something flowering, fragrant or interesting to touch. Or a tree on the front right corner of the house to help soften the hard verticalness of the house. Another option is to plant a tree out in your yard off to one side to help naturalize the formality of a straight row of street trees. Your best bet is to go about in your yard and visualize what you would like the landscape to be, formal, free flowing etc., than make some sketches. Go to the local nursery and find out what plants appeal to you and your goals and if they will live in the site (shade, full sun, good drainage etc.) and most importantly take your time and be creative! Also plant material has the potential to manipulate the micro-climate around your house.
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