The front yard is undoubtedly the most frequented area of the house. Every day he is the focus of residents, visitors and passers-by. Furthermore, it has functions such as unhindered access to the house and mailbox or as a discreet parking space for garbage cans and bicycles. An inviting design of the small area is not an easy task. By heeding the following basic rules, your small front yard will become a tasteful showcase.

Even small front gardens can be beautifully designed

Detailed planning guarantees maximum success

The smaller the front yard, the more important precise planning is. Measure the area precisely and create a true-to-scale sketch. Take into account the course and the best condition of the paths towards the front door, mailbox and any seat. Note light and soil conditions for expert plant selection. Also mark the locations for garbage cans and bicycles. The following premises form the basis for a successful design in the small front garden:

  • Match the path covering to the building materials used in the house
  • Garbage cans hide behind a hedge or a nice fence
  • Include the house wall in the garden design with the help of trellis

To make a small garden area appear larger, plan a hill bed. Additional, narrow paths, for example in the direction of a bench, provide optical depth.

With or without a privacy screen - ideas for the enclosure

The overall impression of your front yard is significantly influenced by the type of demarcation. One of the principles of creative garden design is the realization that an enclosure with an open character is inviting and friendly. On the other hand, closed, head-high fences and hedges convey a forbidding impression. The following ideas for both variants may serve as your inspiration:

  • Open enclosure: waist-high picket or picket fence or low, green dry stone wall
  • Territory limitation: Ornamental grasses, low perennials and flowering semi-shrubs in alternation
  • Privacy protection: evergreen boxwood hedge with a curved shape or narrow gabion wall with wooden elements

Lead plants are the backbone of the front garden - tips for floral eye-catchers

Small trees, shrubs and standard trees give your small front yard structure and make it appear larger. It is important to note that the growth height is limited to a maximum of 300 cm or that the plant can be cut accordingly. The following trees and shrubs have proven themselves as leading figures for tight garden areas:

  • Pillar cherry 'Amanogawa' ((Prunus serrulata), height of growth 250 to 450 cm
  • Ball trumpet tree 'Nana' (Catalpa bignoides), growth height 200 to 300 cm
  • Hanging catkin willow 'Pendula' (Salix caprea) as a grafted standard 60 to 100 cm high

Planting as a reflection of the architecture - this is how it works

In order for the front garden and house to form a stylistic unit, the choice of planting plays a fundamental role. Lavish peonies (Paeonia) and opulent gladioli (Gladiolus) trump in front of a half-timbered house. In contrast, Mediterranean beauties, such as Mediterranean snowball (Viburnum tinus) or lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), set the scene in front of a Tuscany house.

tips

A small front yard is predestined to be designed according to the principles of Japanese garden art. In order to create a Zen garden from the four basic elements of stones, water, moss and trees, the size of the area is irrelevant.

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