How to Design a Front Yard Program

Assess what already exists on the property. If you are building a new house, landscaping can be planned in conjunction with the style of the house and can be developed over time. If you are working with an existing home, take an inventory of what you have to work with. Decide what works and what does not work.

Consider the architectural style of the house. The size of the house is also a consideration. Think of the landscaping of your house as you would a frame to a painting. It should draw attention to the house, enhance it and show it in its best light. The plants should be appropriate in scale to the size of the house.

Create a look that is unique to and reflects the personalities of those who inhabit the house. There are many looks to consider, such as casual, manicured, country and formal. Although there may be certain codes or restrictions that must be adhered to in certain housing areas, the look can still be uniquely yours.

Give thought to the sun and shade conditions in the front yard. This will determine the choice of plants for these areas. If you will be including a lawn, determine what type of grass will grow best in the prevailing conditions. If water conservation is important, this will affect your choice of plants. Your local garden center will advise you regarding these considerations.

Plan a unified look. All the sections of the yard must work together, unifying the look of the landscaping. Select plants that work well with each other. Group the plants and repeat certain elements of your yard design throughout the yard. When planting groups, use a minimum of three to five plants. Your local garden center will be able to guide you in the selection of plants that complement and harmonize with each other.

Consider balance in your plan. For example, a front yard where all the trees or plants have been placed on one side of the yard will give an off-balance and uncomfortable feeling to the observer. The yard can look confused and out of order. Symmetrical balance can be achieved by making both sides of the front yard mirror each other. This is a very structured look. Asymmetrical balance is less ordered, but still provides a feeling of balance. It gives a more casual feel to the yard. For example, a large tree on one side of the front yard can be balanced by a grouping of several smaller bushes on the other side.

Build up the entry as the focal point of your house. Visual appeal is important, but too many accents can give a chaotic and confusing feel. For example, a successful entry plan would include placing progressively smaller plants toward the door. The plant placement points to the door and focuses the attention on the entryway.