What does your front yard say about you?

As a designer I hear the words "Curb Appeal" at almost every initial consultation meeting I attend. We all know that having a beautiful front yard can be very important. Many homeowners’ associations even have tight regulations about what can and cannot be seen from the street.

What is the goal of the front yard? A lot of that depends on the size of your lot and whether or not you spend time in the front yard. For most people it is their window to the neighborhood and not much more. Frequently the front yard just needs to be tidy: a few evergreen foundation plantings and a trim lawn and you are good to go.

But what if you want more?  Here are a few tips on how to make your front yard, the threshold to your property, look great without too much effort.

1. The bones of the garden

The layout of the garden needs to be clean and simple. Unless you are a fantastic, full time gardener who can ID a plant by the veins on it’s leaf from a yard away, then don’t try to create some extensive cottage garden or prairie with 63 different species of rare native plants. Just get the bones right. Lay out your beds using simple lines (whether curved or straight, follow the rules of geometry).

2. The foundation plantings

First get a basic plant pallet that is made up of structurally beautiful evergreen plants that will look good all year. Dwarf yaupon is an excellent choice because it keeps a fairly uniform shape even if untrimmed and has a delicate and thick leaf structure. Viburnums are wonderful if you need a bit of height. If you

want some color, dwarf loropetalum is the way to go. Want to be unique? Then plant a row of soft leaf yucca to add some drama. Dwarf bottle brush is also a fun and different evergreen plant.

3. Fill ‘er up!

After you’ve got the structural basics in place (kind of like architecture…define the rooms and then get the right furniture), then fill in spaces with complimentary textures and colors. This is where you can try new and exciting plants. Look for bold color. Be adventurous. It’s just a plant and fairly inexpensive.  When choosing plants to fill in a bed, look for colors that are across from each other on the color wheel (“complimentary colors”). Orange and blue. Purple and yellow. Green and Red.   These colors “pop” when placed together. If you are just starting out ask for help at the plant nursery. The independent nurseries in Austin all have knowledgeable, helpful staff to assist you.

4. Accessorize.

This is where your personality really comes out. Are you an elegant minimalist? Then plant a few structural cacti in some light colored pots and line the front porch. Over the top? Then go crazy with the multi-colored pots and figurines. Want to recreate a cool Zen garden? Set a few rocks in a bed of gravel and hang a gong in the tree. Trying to recapture the feel of Tuscany? Plant lime trees in terra cotta pots and use pea gravel for mulch. An interesting plant, a smart sculpture, or a funny garden gnome can create a focal point. Hide something special in the flowers (my mom bought me some cast iron fairies that guard the terra cotta pots).  And above all, don’t forget a nice bench or set of chairs to invite people to sip that southern sweet tea and enjoy your reclaimed curb appeal.

Make sure you check your neighborhood rules before transforming your front yard, especially if you decide to create something a bit out of the ordinary. If you are a DIY-er then let your personality shine and do not be afraid to try new things or make mistakes. If you hire a designer, be prepared with examples of gardens you like when you meet with him/her for the first time.

Remember when gardening that it’s just plants and some rock. Experiment. See what develops. If a plant dies, oh well. I’m sure you’ll find a funky succulent or sophisticated yucca just waiting for you at the nursery.