| The basic differences between backyard and | | | | Trees can also serve to frame the view of the |
| front yard landscaping are in the intended purpose | | | | home. The frame can be used to channel the |
| of the design. Front yard landscaping will first | | | | focus on the home as the most dominant |
| consider how to provide necessary access into | | | | element in the landscape. Select trees with a |
| the home while backyards are usually focused on | | | | shape that can match the overall design of the |
| entertaining or relaxing. And since the front is | | | | house. Steep angle roofed homes will most |
| where folks usually enter and leave home, they | | | | always look best with trees like Spruce and Birch |
| also takes curb appeal and invitation into | | | | which are pyramid shape. And for the lower lines |
| consideration. So with the two basics of | | | | of a ranch type dwelling, trees that are horizontal |
| appearance and access in mind, a front yard | | | | or round in shape, like maples and dogwoods, are |
| landscape design can often be as simple as | | | | great choices. |
| designing the necessary walkways, driveways, | | | | And just as the other plants and trees, lawns are |
| and other access and then designing the rest of | | | | also important parts of some front landscapes |
| the space around them. | | | | since they can create atmosphere. A lawn on the |
| Planting ideas and schemes in front yards will | | | | front yard with uncluttered flower beds, shrubs |
| often follow a rule of simplicity and repetition. Less | | | | and ornaments can create the illusion of extra |
| is often more. It's important that the plants, as | | | | space. |
| well as all other elements in the landscaping, | | | | As with all designs, the most important step in |
| complement the home rather than overpower it. | | | | designing landscaping ideas in the front is to start |
| Trees, shrubs, and some larger plant groups are | | | | with a complete and finished design. Whether you |
| important in design to help transition, hide, blend, | | | | plan to do the entire project all at once or in |
| and unify the home into the landscape. | | | | steps, a finished plan is necessary to keep it on |
| The corners of the house and the front door | | | | track. Without a finished plan, you'll end up with a |
| entry are two areas that need special | | | | pieced together patch work landscape. Before |
| consideration in the design. In some instances the | | | | you begin, consider all we've discussed in this |
| front door is the focal point of the house. And in | | | | article and create a finished plan. |
| order to frame it and focus attention on it, it's a | | | | In a nutshell, front yard landscaping is about |
| common practice to transition down to shorter | | | | access, creating curb appeal, and accenting the |
| plantings on both sides of the front door. For the | | | | home. And as simple as it may sound, coming up |
| corners however, taller plants are necessary to | | | | with an appealing design can really be as simple as |
| soften the corners as well as lead the viewer's | | | | designating the necessary entries and then |
| eye toward the front door. | | | | creating a simple design around them. |