Hello Patrick

You have a lot of extensive landscape projects ahead of you. You should start with a knowledge of each planting site so you can choose plants that will thrive there. Start by testing your soil, and use more than one test if, when digging, you find a noticeable difference in soil color and/ or texture in different locations.

During Covid the MSU offices are closed. You can order soil test self-mailer kits online at the MSU Bookstore- the bookstore link is in this article- https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/dont_guess_soil_test_get_your_home_lawn_and_garden_soil_test_kit_today

An alternative is to take a sample and package it in your own baggie and box, following instructions on the MSU Soil and Plant Nutrient Lab website. See the instructions here- https://www.canr.msu.edu/spnl/

Next, observe each location throughout the day and make notes on how many hours sun and shade they receive. Also note wind exposure, especially in winter.

Armed with this information, choose USDA Hardiness zone 6 or colder ( lower number) plants; choosing plants that grow in the conditions you have: sunlight, moisture, soil pH, soil texture( clay, loam, sand).

Before you are ready to dig any deep holes or incorporate any soil amendments, make note of the location of under ground and above ground utilities( call “Miss Dig” to get them located if necessary, the service is free).

Now you can choose plants based on the above info, and consider the mature width and height of each plant. Especially for trees, remember to look up and to plant far enough away from buildings, utilities and existing trees so that you are not constantly pruning back branches as the tree grows.

Color selection depends on personal preferences. Your home looks like a lovely creamy yellow color. Colors that will complement the home are a selection of blues and violet to purple, accented with white and yellow. This is a very traditional color scheme often used in French county design. An alternative is to use a mix of warm colors- reds, pinks, or orange. Pink and purple, red and purple, or orange and purple flowers are other color choices. For a monochromatic look, choose shades of one color flowers accented with white flowers.

The English cottage garden style mixes plants of different heights and all the colors.

The front where the two boxwood shrubs are needs filling, and for low maintenance more evergreens would look nice. Consider birdsnest spruce or Dwarf pine or creeping yew or yew densiformis in groups of 3 or more. Evergreens labeled as “dwarf” or “nana” are slow growing and stay smaller, meaning less pruning. https://www.canr.msu.edu/hrt/uploads/535/78626/dependabledwarfs.pdf

A small tree, under 15 to 20 feet at maturity, (located between the porch and garage at least 6 feet from the driveway and at least 10 feet from the edge of any building) would look nice. A weeping conifer such as a weeping larch, dwarf Norway spruce(Picea abies ‘Gold Drift’ is an example), or a disease resistant crabapple (Prairiefire,Tina, or Coralburst are examples), Dogwood or redbud are possibilities.

For color in a part shade or afternoon shade location- plant in front of the shrub line with perennials -examples are coral-bells, tiarella, corydalis, spring bulbs, creeping phlox, astilbe. If the location gets more than 6 hours sun per day use coreopsis, spring bulbs, asters, flax, caryopteris, echinacea, butterfly weed, boneset. There are hundreds of choices! Mints, chives and some fennel and oregano can be planted but tend to be aggressive- plant in large pots and sink the pot into the ground, monitoring for runners each season.

A ‘wild’ feel can be anything from an English cottage garden to a dry prairie or a wet prairie depending upon the conditions of the site. Typically these are full sun, greater than 6 hours per day, locations. Use some of the same small evergreens that you plant between the porch and the garage in front of the large window, so you have continuity of design across the front of the house. You can use some of the suggested flowers as an edging to the wildflowers, again depending on sunlight there.

Searching for design ideas through pictures on the internet is a good way to find a design you like, then fill the design with plants suited to your growing conditions. Here is a search example:

Prairie garden design site:edu

And one result of that search—-

https://castle.eiu.edu/~n_plants/pgd.html

Here are links to prairie plant lists-

—Michigan prairie plants, dry location

https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/description/10697/Mesic-Prairie

• — Michigan prairie Plants, wet location

https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/description/10665/Wet-Prairie

Herbs and apothecary ideas-

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/growing_and_using_herbs

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https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/growing_and_using_herbs

Rain gardens can slow the rush of water erosion, absorbing it for use by the plants. This type of garden may work next to your raised bed. To see design ideas and appropriate plants for rain gardens search like this:

rain garden ideas site:edu

This will help you choose rain garden plants:

https://www.westmichiganglsi.org/uploads/6/7/9/8/6798898/rain_gardens_native_plant_list.pdf

This website has how-to info on correctly building a rain garden:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/sustainability/sustainability/sustainable-living/at-home/rainscaping-guide/design-and-build-a-rain-garden/plant.aspx

This tool helps select plants based on your growing conditions- https://www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/plant_facts/plant-search-tool

Don’t Forget your local library as a resource. Libraries usually have very good garden sections with books that have plant lists and design ideas. Two books you can find in libraries, that I use often, and that have good plant lists in the back by function or specialty(such as Colorful Foliage, Dry shady site, Plants to attract birds and butterflies) —

“American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guide” by the Amerixan Horticultural Soc.

“Dirr's Hardy trees and shrubs : an illustrated encyclopedia” by Michael Dirr

As you choose specific plants, have your soil test results, and perhaps have a picture on hand of your design and color preferences, we will be happy to help you with more questions.

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