Ideas for Landscaping the Front of the House

Line Walkway with Flowers

• For a welcoming walkway in your front yard, consider lining the path with flowers. Flowers are also an effective way to add a pop of color to your front lawn. You can choose to plant flowers that are all the same color, or alternate them for a more interesting look. Roses are a good option for planting beside a walkway, but marigolds are an inexpensive alternative. If you prefer a more natural look, consider planting wild flowers along the path.

Use Foundation Plantings to Add Color

• When you wish to add color near the base of your home, foundation plantings are your best option. If the shrubs, plants and grass along the foundation of your home are dead or have become shapeless or listless, have them removed so you can add new plants to liven up the area. Ornamental grasses work well as foundation plantings because they tend to grow in dense clusters that form an effective natural boundary around the base of a home. Some grasses to consider include blue fescue, feather reed grass and fountain grass. You may also want to alternate brightly colored annual, perennial or evergreen bushes with the grass for an eye-catching look. Avoid using all flowers, though, because the foundation plantings will take on a shabby appearance when the flowers fall out of bloom. You may want to consider using dwarf evergreen shrubs all along your foundation for a neat, trim look. Remember to prune them regularly to help them maintain their shape.

Use Fruit Trees as Decorative Plantings

• Many homeowners like the idea of having trees in their front yard but do not want to plant a species that may grow too large or shed many leaves. Fruit trees are a good option for front lawn landscaping because they usually stay relatively small. In addition, many varieties of fruit trees have beautiful blooms that can add color to your front lawn and will eventually grow into brightly colored fruit. Investigate to see what type of fruit tree will grow best in your climate.

Try a Rock Garden Instead of Grass

• While most traditional front lawns are composed of grass, some homeowners grow tired of the work involved in maintaining healthy grass. Instead of planting grass, consider rockery. Rock gardens are extremely low maintenance and are especially effective if you wish to give your home an Asian flair. You can use pebbles, gravel, stone tiles and larger rocks to create a garden that is truly unique. In addition, you can spread small green plants among the stones and gravel for a pop of color, but be sure that the plants will not grow large enough to cover the rocks.