Is your front yard a vast sea of grass? Is it looking a little boring? Don’t despair. We’ve pulled together some front yard landscaping ideas we think you’ll love. You may be able to tackle some of these projects yourself. For others, you may want to consult a landscape designer.
Let’s get right to it.
You’re busy. We get it. So are most people. Between work, taking care of the kids, running errands, there’s a lot to do. The last thing you want to do with the minutes of spare time you have each week is to take care of the yard and landscaping. That’s why low-maintenance front yard landscaping is such a popular idea.
Low-maintenance landscaping can save you time as well as money. And let’s make one thing clear. Low-maintenance can be just as beautiful as formal. You just choose plants that can grow naturally without so much trimming. And you have to place them far enough apart that they have room to grow.
The biggest way to benefit from low-maintenance front yard landscaping is to get rid of some of that turfgrass. Lawns are a soul-crushing timesuck and a drain on the wallet. The average American household spends 70 hours a year on lawn care and untold amounts of money.
The solution? Replace that turfgrass with garden beds full of low-maintenance plants or by adding hardscape features.
By now you know that the hardscape elements of your landscape design include anything that isn’t living. You can create a dramatic entry by installing a paver driveway as well as new walkways and pathways. Isn’t it time to get rid of that ugly asphalt driveway and the plain concrete sidewalk?
Straight lines read formal, while curves are more romantic and natural. Border each side of pathways with flowers or shrubs for added appeal.
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And rocks. Let’s not forget rocks. From boulders placed for a strategic effect to river rock or landscape rock used to border your driveway or to create a pathway, rocks have a place in your front yard landscaping. You can use them as mulch, as well.
If you opt for the elegant and formal look, you’ll need to hire a landscape maintenance company or spend a lot of time doing yard work yourself. Think boxwood hedges, topiary, and juniper trees.
There is also a lot of repetition in a formal front yard, with landscaping and urns on one side of the entry mirroring the other, for example. Another classic element of a formal garden is a formal water feature, such as a fountain or group of fountains.
From flowering trees and shrubs to all of your favorite flowers, fill your front yard with blooms! Nothing is cheerier on a spring or summer day than a mass planting of bulbs or a wildflower garden. Choose annuals and perennials that will coordinate with each other and keep your yard awash in color from the earliest spring days to the fall.
For a natural, low-maintenance look, the wildflower garden, cottage garden, and naturalized bulbs work best. For a formal garden, you may consider bulbs as well as a rose garden for an elegant look.
Be sure to choose plants known to thrive in the Capital Region.
Related Reading: Why You Should Use Native Plants
The form, height, and texture as well as color of your planted material can bring a balance to your front yard landscaping. This creates a lovely harmony that pleases the eye. Consider ornamental grasses and Japanese maples for interesting form and texture. Add low evergreen shrubs and perennials to draw the eye downward.
Your choice of flowers, shrubs, and trees will help define your landscaping style.
A great way to enhance the look of your home and yard at night is with the right outdoor lighting and landscape lighting. The fixtures you choose and where you place them will be based on your style and the landscape elements you want to highlight.
Related Reading: Top Outdoor Lighting Ideas
Most homeowners can easily take care of small adjustments to their landscape design. But if you’re looking for an overhaul of your front yard landscaping, or your backyard outdoor living spaces, we can help. Use the contact form to schedule an on-site consultation or call 301.720.1000. We work with homeowners in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.
