The most important premise when buying plants: restrained growth
In tree nurseries and garden centers, ornamental plants usually have a graceful shape. In fact, behind dozens of shrubs, trees and perennials there is a powerful plant that is not suitable for a front garden. Therefore, when purchasing, ask exactly what dimensions the preferred species and variety will be.
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When buying your front garden plants, please use the botanical name as a guide. A number of confusions have crept in under German trade names, which sometimes cause nasty surprises in the garden. A lilac can be a graceful Buddleja davidii with a height of 150 cm, an elegant Syringa vulgaris with a height of 250-300 cm or an expansive, invasive Sambucus nigra, which can reach an impressive 1,000 cm and more.
Plants for the sunny front yard - tips for the planting plan
The south side of the house is the area for sun worshipers in the plant kingdom. Special qualities are required here in order to preserve the floral composure under the hot summer sun. A space should be reserved in the layout plan for the following species and varieties:
- Panicle hydrangea 'Pinky Winky' (Hydrangea paniculata) as an eye-catcher with two-colored flowers from July to October; 150-200 cm
- Beard flower 'Heavenly Blue' (Caryopteris clandonensis), sun-loving subshrub with blue summer flowers; 80-100 cm
- Sage 'Rosakönigin' (Salvia nemorosa) with pink scented flowers from June to September; 30-40 cm
- Mosquito grass (Bouteloua gracilis), one of the most beautiful grasses for the sun-drenched front yard; 20-40 cm
The wonderful girl's eye 'Sterntaler' (Coreopsis lanceolata) bathes your sunny front yard in a sea of yellow flowers from June to September. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) exudes a Mediterranean flair with blue flowers from July to September. Of course, the luminous coneflower 'Goldsturm' (Rudbeckia fulgida var. Sullivantii) should not be missing in the design concept, whose yellow ray blossoms with brown eyes last well into autumn.
Plants for the partially shaded front yard - a selection
Most ornamental plants are very comfortable in a partially shaded location with mild sunshine. On the west side, however, rain can be expected more often, while an eastward orientation is only spoiled by the sun in the morning hours. Accordingly, the selection focuses on plants that adapt to these conditions. Let yourself be inspired by the following selection of recommendable perennials, flowers and shrubs:
- Ball hydrangea 'Annabelle' (Hydrangea arborescens) enchants with huge, white flower balls in summer; 100-150 cm
- Winter snowball (Viburnum) surprises with white-pink flowers in the middle of winter time; 200-250 cm
- Bergenia 'Herbstblüte' (Bergenia hybrid) with two blooms in spring and autumn; 25-40 cm
- Storchschnabel (Geranium), the indispensable perennial classics with magnificent summer blooms; 30-40 cm
A front garden with a partially shaded location is predestined for early-blooming bulb flowers. Under these light conditions, snowdrops (Galanthus), crocuses (Crocus), daffodils (Narcissus) and tulips (Tulipa) announce spring. When the flares of foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) rise in the front yard from June, they ring in the summer time with their bell blossoms. Autumn is the time for autumn asters (aster) and dwarf dahlias (dahlia), which will inspire you with colorful flowers until the first frost.
Floral specialists for shady locations - tips for the north side
Contemporary architecture mostly relocates the front garden to the north side of the house, while the south side is reserved for the larger ornamental and kitchen garden. This fact requires special selection criteria for the design plan, because decorative weak light specialists are rare in the plant kingdom. We have compiled the most beautiful species and varieties for a shady front garden for you here:
- Caucasus forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) also blooms in the shade from April; 30-50 cm
- Mushroom sedge 'The Beatles' (Carex Digitata hybrid) sets decorative accents with swirling grass heads; 20-30 cm
- Mountain forest cranesbill (Geranium nodosum) develops its flower dress even in low light; 15-25 cm
- Foam blossom (Tiarella wherryi) blooms in spring and autumn over magnificent ornamental leaves; 15-30 cm
- Red carpet berries (Gaultheria procumbens) trumps with evergreen leaves and red berries; 10-20 cm
In the shady realm on the north side, the unique hostas feel right at home. In the front garden, give preference to varieties that remain small, such as the 'Blue Ivory' (Hosta x cultorum), which remains at a height of 35 cm. The spectacularly colored leaves with a creamy white edge and a blue-green center cast a spell on every viewer. Since hostas like to thrive twice as wide as they are tall, they are also ideal as ground cover for locations with little light.
Tips
Front gardens without lawns are on the rise. The extensive maintenance is a thorn in the side of many hobby gardeners. A composition of flowering ground cover and small groups of perennials is easier to care for and has an aesthetic effect. The evergreen cranesbill 'White Ness', with a dainty 15-20 cm growth height, likes to lie at the feet of a foxglove (Digitalis) or a ball hydrangea 'Endless summer' (Hydrangea macrophylla).
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