Landscape Ideas for Front Yard Islands

Garden Ideas

• Depending on the space available, create a theme garden for your front yard island. Ideas include a wildflower garden with poppies, cone flowers and cornflowers, a monochromatic garden in your favorite color, or a rose garden with a variety of full-headed blooms paired with tea roses and hybrids. Combine perennial favorites with annuals for a blast of color on the island. Intermingle grasses, shrubs and bushes for texture among the flowers. Whether you choose to do one large garden bed or several smaller ones, a front yard island is an ideal way to show off your gardening skills.

Structural Ideas

• Add a structural element to the island with the help of a pergola, gazebo, trellis and benches. Center a pergola on the island over a small patio of paver stones. Add a bistro table with two chairs for an intimate garden escape. Install solar light features around the pergola for nighttime enjoyment. For a smaller island, design a couple of trellises and install them in a visually appealing pattern. Train vines like clematis, sweet pea and morning glory to climb the structures. Build a gazebo or a few benches to make the most of a view of your garden, waterfront or mountain scenery.

Water Features

• A fountain is a grand water feature to add to the island of a circular driveway. Center the fountain with consideration to symmetry. For instance, the fountain may be best placed in front of the front door, or it might work best centered around the view from the approaching driveway. Another idea is a koi pond. A rustic slate or flagstone path leading to the pond surrounded by lilies and hostas. Or, build up the ground to create a tiered waterfall, which can flow into a small pond decorated with water lilies.

Art

• A single sculptural piece surrounded by a selection of grasses is a statement in and of itself. Consider metallic abstract art made from a material like copper, which will age well and take on a visually interesting patina as the seasons pass. Shop around for welding artisans if you want a custom design made. Whether you choose to add a statue, a sculpture or even a design made from rock. Artistic pieces will add character and greet your guests as they approach your front door.