Zone 4 Front Yard Landscape Ideas

Sun Exposure and Soil Type

• Plants that require a full sun exposure must receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Less than six hours of direct sunlight constitutes a partial shade exposure. No direct sunlight is considered full shade.

  Soil type involves consistency, pH and fertility. Soils can be sandy, loamy, heavy clay or somewhere in between. It is also acid, neutral or alkaline, organically fertile or nutrient poor. While soil consistency, fertility and pH can be improved, plants are more likely to thrive when planted in soil they are naturally suited to.

Trees

• Small ornamental trees can be planted just off the front corner of the house and as a main focal point in a corner or island landscape. There are many ornamental trees in the Prunus and Cornus families with a variety of foliage colors, bloom colors and growth habits. Prunus cerasifera "Newport" cherry plum is 15 to 20 feet tall with white to pink fragrant spring blooms and purple fruit. It forms a dense, rounded crown with dark purple leaves that turn red in autumn. This tree grows well in average soil and requires a full sun exposure. Cornus alternifolia "Argentea" pagoda dogwood grows to 10 or 15 feet tall, blooms in white and produces dark blue fruit. It grows in an open, horizontally branched form with variegated green foliage. The soil must be acidic and high in organic matter with a full sun or partial shade exposure. Both trees commonly grow to 20 feet wide. Plant them far enough away from structures and paved areas to allow for their mature width.

Shrubs

• Medium-sized decorative shrubs can be used in much the same way as ornamental trees. They are also planted at the center or ends of a foundation planting. Hydrangeas, rhododendrons and viburnums are suitable for these landscape positions. Shorter-growing weigelas can planted between the larger shrubs along a foundation or as accent shrubs. They prefer full sun but can be planted in partial shade. Weigela "Dark Horse" is 2 to 3 feet tall with a mounding form, burgundy green foliage and pink spring blooms. W. "Nana Variegata" is 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall with variegated foliage and pale pink flowers.

Perennials

• Perennial plants can be used to provide floral and foliar interest that complements the focal or specimen plants. Hemerocallis daylilies grow to a mature height of 1 1/2 to 3 feet and bloom throughout the summer. They are available in a wide range of bloom colors and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. Heuchera coral bells are available in a variety of foliage and bloom colors. Heuchera "Amethyst Myst" has burgundy foliage with silver tones. The plant grows to 9 inches tall and produces panicles of tiny pink flowers on 18- to 24-inch stems in the summer. They prefer organically rich soil in full sun but can be planted in part shade. Hostas can be planted in partial shade or full shade. H. "Undulata Variegata" is 1 to 2 feet tall, blooms in lavender in the summer and has variegated foliage.