Showing results for
There is only one "rule" in garden design - "right plant, right place". This means that the mature height and width of any plant should not exceed the space available for that plant. In the case of your brainstormed idea, this means that the arbor vitae is completely the right plant in the WRONG place - it'll get too tall and wide for that area, even if it's a Holmstrup Arbor Vitae, which I've seed at 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Which plants to put in this bed should really be determined by the amount of maintenance that you're willing to do. Do you have time to deadhead perennials (i.e. remove dead flowers to prevent seeds)? Do you have time to occasionally prune shrubs? How about putting down more wood chips? Personally, I'd match the plants to the time I have to take care of them. If you have a decent amount of time, then go with annuals; a bit of time, then perennials; basically no time at all, then go with shrubs that get no wider than three feet so that you won't need to prune them (this assumes that your bed is four feet wide - shrubs as foundation plantings should max-out at the width of the bed minus one foot - you'll need that foot to prevent damage to the siding and to allow access for maintenance). If you have landscape fabric under that mulch, remove it ASAP. It does not prevent weeds but does indeed kill your soil. Answer from AlwaysPissedOff59 on reddit.com
🌐
Proven Winners
provenwinnerscolorchoice.com › home › 14 low-maintenance shrubs for the front yard
14 Low-Maintenance Shrubs for the Front Yard - Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs
May 21, 2025 - Hydrangeas are one of the most popular shrubs to plant in front of the house, and for good reason! The large, showy flowers that decorate hydrangeas are truly eye-catching and create unforgettable curb appeal. With sizes ranging from just 1′ tall to a towering 8’+, there’s a hydrangea that’s perfect for every space and home style.
🌐
Proven Winners
provenwinners.com › learn › top-ten-lists › 10-easy-foundation-plants-front-your-house
10 Easy Foundation Plants for the Front of Your House
Wondering which plants are good for foundation plantings? We’ve picked out ten easy to grow perennials and shrubs that thrive in average garden conditions and will look great planted in front of your house.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/gardening › front yard plant suggestions?
r/gardening on Reddit: Front Yard Plant Suggestions?
March 14, 2024 -

Hello everyone!

After pulling out all the over grown bushes, weeds,a nd trees that were usrrounding my house and putting in a flower bed, I now have a clean slate to add plants! But I don't have green eye (I can keep plants alive, but I cannot pick what would look good). I tried to do some brainstorming to get the juices flowing (see attached) but I don't know if it looks right?

I am in zone 6a with a south facing house that has zero shade. I was thinking a mix of flowering and more green plants in the bed (either planted or in pots/the trellis planter idea in the picture) and probably smaller colorful flowers/ground cover in front of the bed in a curved/sweeping bed.

What would you suggest to plant? Thanks!

Brainstormed idea?
Top answer
1 of 6
7
There is only one "rule" in garden design - "right plant, right place". This means that the mature height and width of any plant should not exceed the space available for that plant. In the case of your brainstormed idea, this means that the arbor vitae is completely the right plant in the WRONG place - it'll get too tall and wide for that area, even if it's a Holmstrup Arbor Vitae, which I've seed at 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Which plants to put in this bed should really be determined by the amount of maintenance that you're willing to do. Do you have time to deadhead perennials (i.e. remove dead flowers to prevent seeds)? Do you have time to occasionally prune shrubs? How about putting down more wood chips? Personally, I'd match the plants to the time I have to take care of them. If you have a decent amount of time, then go with annuals; a bit of time, then perennials; basically no time at all, then go with shrubs that get no wider than three feet so that you won't need to prune them (this assumes that your bed is four feet wide - shrubs as foundation plantings should max-out at the width of the bed minus one foot - you'll need that foot to prevent damage to the siding and to allow access for maintenance). If you have landscape fabric under that mulch, remove it ASAP. It does not prevent weeds but does indeed kill your soil.
2 of 6
6
It took many years for me to develop a sense of what looks good in a garden and I'm sure some of my neighbors think I'm nuts. So don't worry about getting it right from the start. Plants, except those with a taproot, can be easily moved. Since perennials are expensive, why not buy a few this year and fill in spaces with annuals. You'll gain valuable experience and learn more about your soil and what works, what doesn't. If you intend to live here a long time, invest in a shade tree. They are an asset when it comes time to sell. Purple salvia, penstemon, shasta daisy, and a fall bloomer like asters (come in many colors). This autumn, pop in tulip or daffodil bulbs.
Discussions

Low maintenance plants for front yard
Texas Sage, Lantana, Pride of Barbados, Inland Sea Oats, Yaupon holly, lantana. Everything is going to need attention right after planting. You have to water everything regularly in the beginning. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/AustinGardening
12
11
April 21, 2024
Front yard evergreen low maintenance plant
So I'm going to assume you're in hardiness zone 6. Most "evergreens" can grow in your area(s). It would depend how much space you have. How tall and wide of a tree do you want? Anything you don't want? Most evergreens are low maintenance, you just plant them and watch them grow. Just water them the first year during summer. That's about it. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/gardening
3
2
June 29, 2022
Suggestions for front yard plant with year-round interest.

What size plant? Dwarf Pomegranates love areas like this and only get 3-4’ tall and wide. They flower profusely all summer and are loaded with ornamental fruit in the fall. Leaves turn yellow and fall off during winter, then it starts over again in spring: https://www.monrovia.com/dwarf-pomegranate.html

For something smaller with year-round interest, I must recommend Four Nerve Daisy. It gets 1’x1’, is evergreen, and blooms with bright yellow flowers year-round (yes, even in cold winters). It’s the only plant I’ve ever had that blooms year-round here. Also a Texas native: http://www.txsmartscape.com/plant-search/plant-details.php?id=335

Both of these plants are pretty much effortless to care for.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/AustinGardening
9
9
August 5, 2021
Need help with my townhome front entrance ‘yard’! Tiny space for a garden, but would love a modern and luscious potted plant garden.
Go vertical in small footprints. Simplify plant palette. Why 50 ft hose? Expandable working for you? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/landscaping
12
10
November 23, 2022
🌐
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › store locator › store directory › nj › newark › garden center
Garden Center at The Newark Home Depot - Newark, NJ 07103
Find everything you need for your outdoor projects at the Newark Home Depot’s Garden Center. Our garden store carries top brand garden supplies, all types of plants, garden decor and more.
🌐
Angi
angi.com › local reviews › greenhouse and nursery services › nj › newark
Top 10 Best Greenhouse and nursery specialists in Newark, NJ | Angi
They guarantee their plants. Their prices are really good and they do not charge more for their... ... We have had a dead bush in our fron yard for months that we wanted to replace so rather than head to home depot/lowes we decided to go to a nursery to get their recommendations about what would thrive in our front ...
🌐
Pinterest
pinterest.com › lisastramel › front-yard-plants-full-sun
40 Front yard plants - Full Sun ideas to save today
Front Yard Flower Beds Against The House · Brown House · Bedding Inspiration · House Landscape · Flower Beds · This custom landscape was designed to stand out against the house's monochromatic exterior. When creating unique landscape designs, Nelson Landscaping considers every detail. 15 Stunning Front of House Landscape Ideas You'll Love · 15 Stunning Front of House Landscape Ideas You'll Love · Sunny Flower Bed Ideas Perennial Plant ·
Find elsewhere
🌐
Smilelandscaping
smilelandscaping.com › mo › front-yard-landscaping-newark
Front Yard Landscaping Newark, MO - Front Yard Design Ideas, Plants and Shrubs in Missouri
Take a look at some of our successful front yard landscaping projects in Newark Missouri. Planting for Flowers, Trees, and Shrubs – In your landscape design, our experts will help you with the best options of trees, shrubs, and flowers for your environment.
🌐
eCode360
ecode360.com › 36714758
City of Newark, NJ: Additional Zoning and Design Standards
To the extent feasible, shade trees shall be planted in continuous trenches rather than individual pits. Design shall be subject to approval by the Department of Engineering and/or the City Arborist. ... All of the lot area not covered by buildings, parking areas, driveways, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces shall be landscaped with vegetative land cover. ... On-Site Trees. ... For each 25 feet of lot width in a required primary front yard adjacent to a public street, there shall be at least one tree planted with a minimum of 2 1/2 to three inches in caliper and eight feet in overall height at the time of installation.
🌐
Yelp
yelp.com › shopping › plant nursery
TOP 10 BEST Plant Nursery in Newark, NJ - Updated 2025 - Yelp
This is a review for nurseries & gardening in Newark, NJ: "From April 2020 during the pandemic!... My local nursery with lots of plants available since even early in season! Beautiful flowers set up in wagon carts on the street that greet you. Lots of types of soil available in cubic feet bags or bulk.
🌐
City of Newark
newarknj.gov › card › rooted-in-newark
Cards: Rooted In Newark
The City of Newark is partnering with residents and businesses to plant street trees, since much of the city’s land is owned by residents, the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Public Works (DPW) is focused on working with Newark’s residents by planting trees in front and backyards ...
🌐
Pike Nurseries
pikenursery.com
Garden & Plant Nursery | Landscape Design & Installation | Pike Nurseries
Our team of local garden experts will guide, inspire and give you the best tips for success. Our plants, vegetables, houseplants and garden products are carefully selected specifically for our neighborhoods and inspected upon arrival so you won't have to wonder if they will last or grow.
🌐
Ascapelandscape
ascapelandscape.com › newark-nj
Lawn & Landscaping Services in Newark, NJ | Ascape Landscape & Aquascape Irrigation
New Lawn Seeding: We can help you get a new lawn from scratch by planting grass seeds on your property.
🌐
Gardenia
gardenia.net › home › plant combinations
Front Yard - Plant Combination Ideas for your Garden
Transform your front yard with a mix of hydrangeas, hostas, boxwood, and coneflowers, creating a welcoming and visually appealing landscape.
🌐
Lawnstarter
lawnstarter.com › home › deer-resistant plants for your newark yard
Deer-Resistant Plants for Your Newark Yard
December 2, 2024 - The best deer-resistant plants for Newark include trees like American Holly and pawpaw, shrubs like bearberry and red elderberry, groundcovers like little bluestem, ornamental grass like switchgrass, and more.
🌐
Your Green Pal
yourgreenpal.com › landscaping-newark-nj
Landscaping Newark, NJ, Services & Maintenance | Landscaper in Newark
Overall, Newark is a beautiful place to let native plants and trees thrive! Remember, GreenPal is your go-to for simplifying life in New Jersey State. Whether you're looking for lawn care services in Union or a trusted yard care provider near Wayne, GreenPal has you covered for all your lawn ...
🌐
HGTV
hgtv.com › home › outdoors › flowers and plants
25 Plants for Instant Curb Appeal in Front of Your House
May 8, 2025 - Marigolds, petunias and geraniums are popular and easy to grow. Tuck in a few trailing plants like bacopa, creeping jenny or calibrachoas to add interest. If you're selling in the cooler months, switch to flowers like pansies and mums or ornamental ...
🌐
Fine Gardening
finegardening.com › home › front yard gardens make a strong first impression
Front Yard Gardens Make a Strong First Impression - Fine Gardening
February 11, 2025 - And finally, just a few blocks away is a traditional Colonial with a formal landscape featuring a brick walk, symmetric foundation plantings, and a picket fence draped in roses. All four front yard gardens have small patches of lawn, but the foundation plantings are varied, and the gardens are designed to suit the houses as well as the gardening abilities of the homeowners.