Front Garden Design Tips to Make

A beautiful front garden is a delight to look at and will increase the anticipation of coming home no matter which gate or entrance you pass on your way. Pausing to soak under an arch of greenery or brush up against deliciously scented shrubs is part of the charm, and they can be easily incorporated to add both character and charm.

It is important to make the path clear through the garden, but this can be signaled in subtle ways - for example by symmetrically placing box balls to mark the path or by placing focal points towards the goal.

A fair proportion of evergreens will ensure year-round structure and reduce maintenance. A relatively limited color palette of both plants and paint colors will help keep the overall look harmonious, but don't forget the element of surprise. Front gardens are sociable spaces that encourage interaction with neighbors and passers-by, so make the most of that too.

Country Living Gardening Editor Paula McWatters shares her tips on how to boost curb appeal in your front garden...

1. Plant a climber

Walls offer a great planting opportunity, especially where space is limited. The climbing rose is a cottage garden favorite, enhancing a beautiful property or helping to disguise rather than attractive architectural features.

Clematis armandii and wisteria have sweet-scented flowers, while on a sunny wall you might try star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) or the fancy trumpet vine Campsis x Tagliabuana 'Madame Galen'. For fall color, consider Virginia creeper (Parthenocisus quinquefolia, right), crimson glory vine (Vitis coignettiae) or Boston ivy (Parthenocisus tricuspidata).

2. Entrance pot charm

Containers can bring gardening to your doorstep, providing color and interest wherever you want. Rustic baskets are great for growing herbs, they are easy to place on the door, and they are lightweight so they can be easily moved or replaced. To improve drainage, line the baskets with plastic cut from old compost bags and a few holes. Oregano, mint, rosemary, thyme and sage all thrive in pots.

3. Add a periodic table

If your entryway has a porch or space under the protection of a porch, add interest with old painted furniture like a table or dresser base. This is a great opportunity to create an outdoor display, displaying plants to be appreciated in close proximity to antique pieces and containers with small pots.

4. Walk under an arch

There's something compelling about an arch - put one on top of a track and you'll always be drawn to go under it. Choose a ready-made version from agriframes.co.uk, tristenmay.co.uk, gardenrequisites.co.uk, or secretgardensfurniture.com, or train hedging plants such as yews to create a green arch. Deciduous beech or hornbeam are well suited for training - as a single curve or repeatedly forming a tunnel. In winter their bare branches add a strong texture to the entrance.

5. Go to a strange gate

An unusual rustic gate is a great way to stamp individuality on a garden. Greenwood, where the natural grown form of the tree remains unchanged, creates an original and organic effect that sits well in a country garden. The durable sweet chestnut and oak woods are often used.

6. Go bold with outdoor tiles

Particularly useful in narrow front gardens, outdoor tiles can zone the approach to your front door and prevent guests from entering adjacent borders. A practical solution to soften uneven terrain, tiles can give your potted plants a more stable surface to frame your entryway.

7. Slow down the approach

While a direct route to the front door is the most practical option, it's a good excuse for a little detour around some interesting plantings along the way. Where space allows, an island bed provides a nice focal point and provides various layers of interest.

Use mostly evergreens with contrasting leaf shapes, in addition to seasonal flowering plants to provide a base. Even in a shady area, you can create a green space with ferns, hostas, heathers, and pachysandra to give a low-maintenance landscape.

In a small space, a topical bush or a flower-filled pot will work well. A change of hard surface helps define areas and gravel is a good option because it is permeable, allowing water to drain out, an important environmental factor.

8. Keep it simple

Understated colors are easy on the eye and create a harmonious first impression, especially if you have a limited palette for both planting and paint. Cool grays and natural creams used on walls and doors provide a great backdrop for everything from clipped evergreens to more sun-drenched grasses and flowering perennials. Proper planting against the house helps to soften the look and make your property lie in the garden.

9. Natural framing

The lush foliage that enters a garden, its profusion, is especially pleasing to set the scene for any planting features beyond. Over an entrance, it can make even the simplest of entrances more remarkable. If privacy is an issue, you can achieve a measure of privacy by growing evergreen hedges, such as yew, so the path to your door can only be seen through the entrance.