Question
We have a beach house.  The front faces the beach and the back is where we parked our cars.  Along one side of the house we have a long area where we like to plant flowers and other plants to make it attractive and add to the overall look of the house.  On the right side of the area where we park our cars (maximum three) we have an old tree.  We would also like to fix the surrounding area of the tree with a little bench and a garden like atmosphere where we can chat and sip coffee. Our problem is that we do not know what is best for this area.

What plants, flowers, bushes, et cetera, can we use to add a little green to our home.  We are first time gardeners and need lot of help.  What would you suggest and please give us your best estimate in labor and cost.  Our budget is limited.

Nick & Nora


Answer

Congratulations!  Being able to live so close to the ocean is a blessing.  The beach environment, however, can be tough on plants.  (I AM assuming you're referring to the salty Atlantic/Pacific/Gulf Coast, and not a lakefront of some kind, such as Michigan/Huron, etc?

There is one slight problem.  There are 12,380 miles of coastline that border 24 different states.  If you include tidal shoreline, there's another 88,600 miles!!  Which little bit of heaven are you in?  

The States with the longest coastlines are Alaska, Florida, Texas, and California.  A craggy cliff overlooking the Pacific in Oregon is a lot less hospitable to plants than, say, an inlet off the Florida Keys.

For plants ?that's easy.    Here are some links for the green portion of the equation:

Florida Plants:  http://wfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/dunes/files/brochure.pdf

California Plants:  http://www.cnpsci.org/html/PlantInfo/McGrathPlants.pdf

If you are in neither of these states, let me know, and we'll hunt down the appropriate list.

The bigger challenge is deciding what you want for your life & lifestyle.  That's harder.  I recently read a good article about a fellow Landscape Architect who reflected on how to determine how it is you want your landscape to fit into your life卙ere it is:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/home/chi-0508210263aug21,1,6573201,print....

Also, the regulations have increased over the years regarding what you can & cannot do to your property IF you are within certain boundaries determined by FEMA, Army Corp, or the State in which you reside (The 揅alifornia Coastal Commission? or the multi-state 揅hesapeake Bay Commission? etc.).  Many have found out the hard way that they really cannot do 搘hatever they want?with their property if they live along certain coastlines in the US.

To the particulars of what you described: As far as a nice little sitting area for coffee and the morning paper, here are some ideas that sprang into my mind.  Why look out over three cars in the driveway, if possibly, you have an ocean view to the rear of your house?   Don't get me wrong ?it CAN happen it the front yard with proper planning and sitting arrangements, if you really want it to be there.  If your desire is to make your front yard 搃nviting? then maybe a nice little bench or small patio area is perfect to greet guests outside the front door. If the goal is to address a lifestyle issue, then maybe it's best to perform this task (揟he morning paper ritual? in another part of the property.

As far as budget & labor costs - figure out what you want, first, then you can put a price to it. And, doing your own labor gives you satisfation and a sense of accomplishment beyond the dollar amount!  (Also, prices vary by location, season, and economy)

To recap fellow Landscape architect Bob Hursthouse's advise (from the Chicago Trib article):

- Take time to plan ahead.
- Call in the pros  (I guess that would be me!?!)
- Take note of gardens you admire/clip pictures from magazines and websites (I have a large file of things I like)
- Create a compelling front-entry sequence. (Is this kind of what you were hoping for with the 揷offee & newspaper?area?)

- Use trees, shrubs and ground covers to create low-maintenance borders
- Plant something special.
- Add something meaningful

Hope this gets you started and your passions flowing! -Marc

(PS: Sorry for the delay, folks - I had this ready yesterday, and forgot to send it out - OOPS!)