DESIGN DILEMMA:
What should I do with an empty entrance?
The whole experience of walking into your home can be enhanced by the colors, aroma and appeal of a prolific planting. An entrance is guaranteed to garner attention, and a front door is an automatic focal point, so concentrate your efforts here, and don't be shy.
The goal is to lead attention to the door. When you're making decisions about color scheme, plant heights and placement, use your door as a determining factor: If it doesn't enhance the front door, then it doesn't fit your design.
The key is to remember that this is precious real estate-not just a place to make an impression, but a space to garden. So let's look at how to pack in a variety of plants you love while still making an eye-catching, welcoming and well-considered entrance.
DEAL WITH PROPORTIONS
This two-story home doesn't sit very far from the street. Tall, lush plantings hide just enough of the house to give the illusion that it sits farther back on the lot. Site tall plants in a spot that softens a harsh line or emphasizes a feature, such as in line with the corners of the front porch here. Then, working outward, make sure each successive layer is shorter than the one before to help frame the home.
EMPHASIZE AN ENTRANCE
Lining the stairs with container gardens is one way to making an entrance pop. But here, all of the interest is jam-packed into the small front yard. The key to a flower-filled front yard is to taper the plant heights down toward the pathway to keep a clear view of the door. More containers here would just add clutter.
ADD COLOR AND LIVELINESS
This story is from the Issue 172 - August 2023 edition of Garden Gate.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 172 - August 2023 edition of Garden Gate.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Backyard Tornado
\"HE WHO SEARCHES FOR SPRING WITH HIS KNEES IN THE MUD FINDS IT, IN ABUNDANCE.\" - ALDO LEOPOLD
Front-of-the-Border "Wow!" Power
When it comes to easy-care plants that bring a lot of punch to the border, 'Ivory Queen' Turkestan onion should be near the top of your shopping list.
GARDEN ESSENTIALS
MAKE GARDENING EASIER THIS YEAR
Elevate an Evergreen Hedge
Although an evergreen hedge looks suitable all year on its own, it's perfectly poised to become something even greater: a backdrop to a garden where flower after flower will unfurl with such drama, you just might find yourself stepping outside and offering your applause.
One Garden, Two Worlds
In this colorful and welcoming garden, sunny, flower-filled front borders transition to a shady backyard hideaway.
on edge
Four garden pros share their go-to edging techniques.
DIANTHUS
Add fragrance, vivid color and timeless charm with this reliable, cold-hardy perennial.
2025's Best New Plants!
Are you ready to start planning for next year's garden? A few new plants might be just what you need to bring those dreams to reality.
Solve Garden Problems With Ground Covers
Are you tired of coaxing turfgrass to grow in difficult spots? In her book Groundcover Revolution, Kathy Jentz says that ground covers can be the solution to these struggles.
The Romance of Spring
With the arrival of spring, emerging perennials fill the garden with soft texture, restoring life to the harsh, often barren landscape of winter.