We decided to clear the path—math isn’t my strong suit, but digging a path I can handle. John, meanwhile, excels at both. This photo was taken before we began reworking the garden beds on either side of the porch, so you can see how that clump of shrubs in front of the porch looked awkward and unbalanced. Plants flanking the porch would create symmetry, while the walkway to the door should feel open and inviting rather than crowded by overgrown boxwoods. It felt backwards: the focal point in the middle instead of along the sides.
After a certified landscape expert confirmed that several boxwoods were struggling with bare spots and diseased tops, we were convinced we needed to open up the entrance. We did try to transplant as many as possible to see if they’d recover in a less cramped location.
On moving day we hauled things along this path countless times, with the bushes practically grabbing at us. They had no sense of personal space. During our landscaping consultation we learned that walkways are ideally four feet wide so two people can walk side-by-side or carry large items without getting bush-groped. That became our goal—to make the path feel as wide and open as possible.
Operation Clear The Path began with digging out the azaleas that were crowding the porch—their bases were only inches from the brick. That tiny bed was no place for large shrubs. Because the ground was wet from recent rain, the azaleas came up relatively easily, and we transplanted them to the side yard where we’re naturalizing the area so they can add color without being cramped.
Next we tackled the boxwoods along the other side of the path. Moist soil made this easier, but they were still more challenging—about 15–20 minutes per bush. There were eight in total, so it was nearly three hours of work completed over two of Clara’s naps. A few were too far gone, so we cut and removed them and dug up the roots. The healthier ones were transplanted next to the azaleas in the side lot.
Then we began removing values of liriope that had infiltrated the path. This groundcover had grown over the pavers, narrowing the walkway by several inches on each side. The root system of some plants was even covering half a paver. Digging them out immediately widened the path and stopped the grasses from brushing people as they walked by.
Clearing that small bed—once home to giant azaleas and endless monkey grass—made a dramatic difference. For the first time in a long while, the porch could breathe.
We mulched the cleared beds to suppress weeds, but plan to add a few small flowering perennials or annuals later. We’ll wait to choose plants that do well in a narrow strip so we don’t crowd the walkway again.
Removing the dense boxwoods had perhaps the biggest impact of the season. Compare the path before we started…
…and after:
The path now looks significantly wider and more welcoming. Your eye is drawn to the woods beyond and to the open porch. We plan to seed the left side so grass grows right up to the walkway, making the approach feel even more expansive. That patch of brown will be turned green, and we’ll have one less narrow bed to maintain.
Here’s the other side before:
And after:
From further away, you can see how the entrance has evolved. Here’s how it looked when we first moved in:
And here’s how it looks now:
We still have many exterior projects left to tackle, but this update makes the house feel a lot more welcoming and balanced.
Landscaping takes time and leaves our arms and backs sore, but it’s worth the effort.
In total, clearing the path and transplanting plants took about eight hours spread over a week, which is why we waited to share wide shots until the beds were restored. That street-facing photo reminds us how much remains to be done, but it’s encouraging to look back at the before pictures and see the progress—slow, steady, and satisfying.
How does the path to your front door look? Open and clear, full of flowers, or crowded with shrubs you’re planning to relocate? Share your plans and experiences—we’d love to hear them.