The New Front Garden

This is the garden that I planted earlier this year after removing the lawn. The before shot is in the extras if you're interested. The plants have grown in really well in a short time. I'm sort of astonished, although I know that the plants were specifically selected for clay soil in full on western afternoon sun with low irrigation. 

The taller tree in the middle left is a Crape Myrtle and in front of it, in the foreground is a Japanese Loquat, which will be a lovely small, evergreen tree. Other plants include Sedum, Lavender, Cat Mint, Cistus (prostrate and upright), Rosemary (ditto), Helianthemum, Achillea, two cultivars of Mahonia, Carex secta, Pittosporum 'Sappy' (near garage windows), Virburnum tinus 'Bewley's Variegated', Italian Buckthorn, and of course Black-Eyed Susans, Alyssum and Marigold tenuifolia. 

The larger trees near the front entry way already existed - Vine Maple (inappropriately planted...burns every summer) and a Hinoki Cypress.

There's still a LOT of growing to be done with the plants in the back reaching a good 10-12' thereby screening the garage windows. The Crape Myrtle will grow tall enough to provide some screening of that upstairs window from the afternoon sun.