Can I Plant in My Front Yard?

Garden Conditions

• Most front yards are exposed spaces, open to the road and the driveway. To select plants for your front yard, identify your USDA hardiness zone as well as the direction of exposure of the garden. South-facing yards receive more sun than north- or east-facing ones. There are usually micro-climates within a growing space, perhaps shade cast by a tree or a patch of dry soil. Select perennials suitable for these growing conditions. Annuals will grow in most hardiness zones, though their period of blooming may be shorter in the cooler zones.

Xeriscaping

• Xeriscaping is a landscaping philosophy and system that conserves water. By replacing most of the lawn with plants that are water efficient and drought tolerant, and by mulching the yard, you create an environment that requires minimal water. Many of the plants that are suitable for this environment appear lush and produce flowers. Small patches of grass also have a role in this landscape -- cooling the environment and recreation. Drip irrigation systems that release water slowly over time work well in xeriscape environments.

Flower Beds

• Keeping your lawn as the focal point, you can plant flower beds around it. Perennials form the basic structure of the beds and annuals add instant hits of color throughout the growing season. Consider growing edible flowers, such as nasturtiums, and incorporate herbs, perhaps basil, chives and oregano, as part of your flower display. When planning your flower beds, position low border plants at the front, tall plants and flowers at the back, and fill in the rest with medium-sized plants. A selection of plants that differ in flower color, foliage color and texture, and blooming times will create an interesting front yard throughout the entire growing season.

Cottage Garden

• A cottage garden is informal and small, and looks as if it just grew there over time. Use a small patch of lawn in this landscape or remove your grass entirely. Plant flowers and shrubs of different heights and colors. Create the spontaneous look of this garden by mixing these plants together without a structured plan. Some cottage gardens have a rock garden as a feature. Rock gardens usually have tiers at different heights, with low-growing plants such as alpine plants and ground covers. Create an informal herb garden, either in pots or in the ground, by mass planting a selection of culinary herbs that enjoy the same growing conditions.