5 Landscaping Needs For An Attractive Front Yard
There are a few things that lead to an attractive front yard. By knowing what they are, you can better work with your landscape designer to come up with a plan you will enjoy both using and looking at.
1. Buffer Zone
Border beds along the front wall of the home are a beautiful way to smooth the transition from the lawn to the home. Yet, these beds do need a buffer zone. Avoid planting trees and shrubs in the border beds, since the roots can cause damage to your foundation and the branches may eventually pose a risk to siding and windows. There should also be space between the plants and the walls for air circulation, so that leaves and stems don't come in direct contact with the siding.
2. Proper Spacing
A common mistake for do-it-yourself landscapers is to look at perennial planting beds in the first year when the plants are still small and determine they are too empty. The bed ends up overplanted and within a few years it is overcrowded and the plants are suffering from declining health. A pro will fill in blank spaces the first few years while the perennials are reaching full size with mulch or annual flowers.
3. Level Variance
One of the most common reasons for a boring landscape is that there are no layers to delight the eye, just a flat lawn that abruptly meets the harsh vertical walls of the home or the paved mundaneness of the sidewalk. A landscape designer will use plants of varying heights to create variable levels throughout the design. They may also add in other features, such as edging, raised beds, retaining walls, and statuary to further create a multi-leveled and visually appealing landscape.
4. Plant Diversity
Another mistake that makes a yard boring is when there is little diversity in the plants. A lawn that is nothing more than a square of grass is equally as boring as one that is grass with a few identical flowers or shrubs planted. A skilled landscaper uses the diversity of plant sizes, shapes, colors, and textures to further develop a multi-layered and visually delightful landscape design.
5. Zone Planning
Your landscape is made up of different use zones. For example there is the front path zone, which can be edged with border beds to help guide the eye toward the front door and the entrance zone. The entrance may be framed with potted trees, or perhaps it is flanked with flower beds that stretch along the walls. Your yard may have other zones, such as a grassy area to toss a football with the kids, or a front seating area to enjoy tea and people watch. Your landscaper can help you determine the zones you need and how to landscape them.
Contact a landscape design service if you want professional help to design the perfect front yard.