Need help please..

[Smileysmile]

I want to make the front of my house more appealing.
Attached are 2 photos of the front of my elevated house.
In the photos you can see where I've removed sand and gravel left in pile. About 800 litres as I measured by filling 80 litre dustbin.

What I'm left with is CLAY!

Suggestions please?

1• replace with golden pea gravel
2• Dig 2ft down all round to remove clay and put gravel down then soil and place shrubs all around. 2ft and gravel would be for drainage.
3• strategically dig deep holes for individual shrubs then cover area with golden pea gravel.
4• pea gravel area on top of clay strategically placing potted plants on top of gravel.

What would look nice guys? Need inspiration.

I removed blue plastic underlay with I think was weed membrane. Will have to put weed membrane before anything else. Thanks

 

[Swwils]

You could flip the problem on its head and instead of dig down, build up with some raised beds.

At least then you can get decent soil with no effort - plus it would work well with the stairs.

 

[Smileysmile]

not thought of that. The tarred hard stand is next doors parking space. They can only park on that spot. The area I'm working belongs to my house. Bizarre I know. I don't mind hard work. It's the results that compliments front of house better