Bungalow Landscape Ideas

Front Yard

• Yard size will dictate the appropriate style and types of plantings. The area's hardiness zone and soil conditions, in addition to personal taste, will further eliminate some species. A simple cottage style garden is ideal, and gives growers a wide selection of plants to choose from. Cottage style gardens usually have a freeform design, one that seems almost random it its arrangement. A lush carpet of grass is the base, combined with a mixture of wildflowers, bulbs and roses. Vines and climbing plants often bring life to porch railings and columns. A small fence and gate--as well as a pea gravel, brick or stone path--will complete the look.

Back Yard

• Back yards tend to be a bit more diverse in their styling, but maintain certain elements of the cottage design. A more park-like feel is common; lush grass, tall trees, stone pathways and even benches are widely used. Archways with flowering vines are commonly employed, as are colorful, shade-loving plants, including camellia, azalea and hydrangea. For avid gardeners, a space may be set aside for herbs, fruits and vegetables, featuring square or rectangular beds lined with mulch or river rock.

Border Plants

• The yard's edges--at the front, back or side--are ideal places to add a pop of color, or add plantings that establish a border. Flowers are good for lining walkways, and will aid in keeping weeds under control. Consider marigolds, petunias, daisies or violets in most growing zones. Shrubs are widely used as natural boundaries and are ideal for families with children, as they provide privacy from strangers. Hydrangeas and azaleas are bold flowering varieties, while boxwoods and yews are more subtle. Some types of holly are ideal since they keep their color year-round and are easy to care for.

Trees

• Trees are both aesthetic and functional in a bungalow yard, but must be selected carefully to avoid creating an overly-shady environment for other plants to grow. An energy efficient design will have trees strategically placed near windows or glass doors to keep the home cooler in summer, which will aid in reduced energy consumption. Deciduous trees are ideal for this function, as their winter dropping leaves allow more sunlight in during cold weather. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, planting trees in front of east or west facing doors and windows is desirable, as these spots receive the most light during the morning and afternoon hours. Growers with a bungalow style home should take size and proportion into consideration. Most homes of this design will do well with small or medium sized trees, and will be overwhelmed by large varieties.