Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Landscape in Front of a Bi-Level House
How to Landscape in Front of a Bi-Level House. The bi-level or split-level house gives a homeowner living areas on several different levels, including an upper bedroom area, a main living area and a basement area, often with windows just above soil level. Bi-level homes can provide the square-footage needs of homeowners without taking up a lot of...
The bi-level or split-level house gives a homeowner living areas on several different levels, including an upper bedroom area, a main living area and a basement area, often with windows just above soil level. Bi-level homes can provide the square-footage needs of homeowners without taking up a lot of space on the lot. Because of the square appearance and vertical arrangement of the homes, bi-level houses have special considerations in landscaping.
Things You'll Need
Mid-size tree
Conical shrubs
Mid-size shrubs or bushes
Round shrubs or bushes
Flowering perennial plants
Lamppost
Landscape lights
Place a mid-size tree -- either deciduous or evergreen -- at one front corner of the house to anchor the house to the landscaping. It is common to place this tree at the corner on the side of the front door. Make sure that the tree you select will not grow so large that it covers the roof area. This tree should grow to a size approximately equal to the point where the roof begins. Position the tree far enough away from the house so that the branches do not encroach on the siding or the roof.
Plant a conical shrub to the left or right of the front door -- the same side as the mid-size tree. The height of this shrub will connect the upper and lower story windows.
Add a mid-size shrub or bush between each set of first-story windows and short, round shrubs or bushes beneath each first-story window. Often these first-story windows on a bi-level house are not the windows you wish to display prominently. By placing a taller shrub between and short shrubs beneath the lower windows, you minimize them and draw the eye upward to larger upper-story windows.
Plant another mid-size tree at the other front corner on the other side of the garage. For the most visual appeal, make this tree a different shape and variety than the first mid-size tree. For example, use one deciduous tree and one evergreen tree.
Add flowering perennial plants in front of or between the shrubs to give the landscaping color and seasonal interest. Make sure the perennial plants you select will have a mature height that is shorter than the shrubs.
Install a lamppost to the right or left of the driveway in front of the house. The lamppost adds height and visual impact with its light.
Place a series of ground-level landscape lights along the front of the house or the walkway, or line the driveway with the landscape lights.
