How to Landscape to Make Basement Walls Less Noticeable

Foundation planting was ubiquitous in the 19th and 20th centuries to hide the high foundation walls that were a characteristic of Victorian architecture. Though house styles changed, foundation planting remained. The planting is often overgrown and misshapen and challenging to maintain. Landscaping can be used to make basement walls less noticeable by drawing attention away from the walls with elements that focus attention upward and toward another part of the house. An entry walkway and extended bed filled with mixed shrubs make an interesting alternative to traditional foundation planting.

Things You'll Need

• Walkway construction material
• Evergreen shrubs
• Deciduous shrubs
• Trees

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Install a walkway from the driveway, beginning a minimum of 8 feet from the house wall and at least 4 feet wide. Curve it toward the door. Use materials similar to those used for the house.

   • 2

     Install gravel against the house about 4 inches deep. Separate it from landscaping with wood, brick or plastic edging.

   • 3

     Locate a shrub bed extending between the house and the walkway. Plant outside the extent of the roof overhang. Plant the bed with varying heights of shrubs, mixing evergreen and deciduous species.

   • 4

     Plant taller plants at the corners and smaller ones toward the door. Mass same species together. Add a few specimen shrubs with showy foliage or flowers.