Wow factor needed for front landscaping

by Natasha Allison
(Napanee, Ontario, Canada)

I'm having trouble on what to do with my mother's front yard. The front door is not used as they use the side door for a front door. I had planned to re-stain the front wood door and give the screen metal door and update as well. So I guess what I'm trying to ask is what would you do in this case for making the front of the home look amazing as people drive by? I'm looking for that wow factor!

ANSWER

Hi Natasha,
I would start with removing the existing plant material. What's there is very overgrown and is detracting from the house. Sometimes it's difficult to take a stab at that, but it really will help a lot.

I would then place some medium sized landscape trees at each corner to frame the house. These can be a Dogwood, Birch, Star Magnolia, or you can even use a group of three Lilacs.

I Would then place another pretty shrub near the front door...perhaps a Butterfly Bush or one of the other tree suggestions. Use a staggered row of evergreen shrubs against the house and place lots of colorful perennials in front. Plant the perennials in groups for maximum impact. For example, 5 Daylily, 3 Lavender 'Hidcote", 7 Coneflower, etc.

Make the bedline curvilinear...in and out to create flowing interest. Start with a large sweeping curve at the left corner,t hen bring the bed in, then out again to end at the area of the front door. Here are some pages to look at to get some plant material ideas:

Landscaping Ideas - section on Front Foundation Plantings


Plants For Landscaping


Perennial Flowers