How to Landscape Around Front Pillars

Visualize how you want the front entrance to look. Decide if you want to landscape across the full front of your home, around the front porch or along the walkway leading up to the pillars. Consider the sightlines from the street, front windows and the porch to ensure you won't block views with large shrubs.

Construct a front path with bricks, pavers or gravel. The walkway may begin in the driveway or at the street, depending on where you park your car. Center the other end between or even with the front pillars to accentuate them.

Test your soil and observe the front yard's growing conditions to choose plants that will thrive. Note drainage problems and the amount of sunlight the plants will receive.

Line the walkway with a border of low-growing flowers or thick foliage plants. Hostas, hardy geraniums, impatiens and marigolds are a few plants that add color and texture without stealing the show. Extend flowers to the base of the first step on either side of the pillars.

Arrange shrubs midway between the columns. Hydrangeas, rose bushes and azaleas produce vibrant blossoms that will complement the columns.

Add depth and variety to your front flower beds by planting ground cover between shrubs. Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch over the plants to preserve moisture and prevent weeds from growing.

Place flower boxes in the front windows or hanging flowers on either side of the two end columns. Without overshadowing the home, carefully placed flowers add balance to a formal structure.

Install an exterior lighting fixture to illuminate the walkway and make your home feel just as inviting at night.