This is our house. Our house that we love so much, but somehow can’t figure out a way to rev up the curb appeal. Ever since we bought the house in 2009, we knew the front yard was going to be the bain of our existence. When we bought the house there was no drive way, the ground was very uneven, and the bushes in the front yard had all gone and died.
Well, we got ourselves a drive way now…and that’s about it.
Epic fail number 1.
After we had the driveway poured, we made an effort to start fixing up the front yard. It started by tearing out the dead bushes in front of our dining room window, and put in a flower bed. We were so excited about the hydrangeas we bought, as well as firecracker orange plants. It was going to look amazing! And it did for about two months. You know, until some random fungus took over and killed it all. Ooops. Despite our lack of green thumbs, we did learn that underneath the window was probably the worst place for the flower bed since its right under a pine needle that sheds like the dickens. It was impossible to keep the pine needles out! Next time around, bushes again. Definitely.
Epic fail number 2.
About two years, we’ve gutted the front yard and tried to re-seed with St. Augustine grass. It didn’t take. A year later, we gutted the front yard again and planted clover as a ground cover. It didn’t take. Now, we’ve let the weeds take over simply because they are green enough and that’s the best we can do. But, it’s something that really bothers Andrew and I. Such a cute green house, but with such ugly curb lack of appeal.
We started taking inspiration to what we know is already growing well in the hot Florida climate. No point in trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to the occasional dry spells and blazing sun. We need something that is native, hearty, and fool-proof. So why not take inspiration from the medians of major roads that have absolutely no shade and still manage to look amazing?
(Source)
That’s where ornamental peanut comes into play. Don’t you think that would just look adorable in the front yard? Bonus is that you hardly have to mow it! Even without the yellow flowers in bloom, the greenery is still very hardy and lovely to look it. Plus, it grows like wildfire. You can buy it in sod (ideal!), or if money is an issue – you can buy potted peanut and go section by section. Eventually, it’ll spread out on its own. We think it’s lovely.
Lay down some peanut, fix up the picket fence and throw on a new coat of paint, and we’ve got an instant spruce! I’m thinking that’s a really excellent stepping stone! Hmm, I think I know where are tax return is going this year. Do you?
Love, J and A.
