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.
Masterinthefield
masterinthefield.ca › blogs › best-plants-trees-shrubs-for-toronto-landscaping
Best Plants, Trees & Shrubs for Toronto Landscaping — Master in the Field Landscape Design by Stephanie LeBlanc serving clients in Toronto, Mississauga and Oakville. Contact for all your landscaping needs.
April 25, 2025 - Transform your home affordably with these front yard landscaping ideas Toronto homeowners love, such as creative pathways and borders, evergreens, ornamental grasses, and low-maintenance flower beds.
Videos
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Romantic Front Yard Ideas: 7 Soft Blooming Perennials to Plant Now!
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What Are the BEST 7 Non-Invasive Foundation Plants for a Neat Yard?
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7 Design Tips for a Stylish Front Yard That Turns Heads - YouTube
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.
M.E. Contracting
mecontracting.ca › home › low maintenance landscaping choices for your toronto home
Low Maintenance Landscaping Choices by Toronto Landscaper
February 17, 2023 - In the Toronto area, these plants include wild geraniums, and fairy-bells in the spring; turtleheads and cardinals for the summer; and stiff goldenrod and woodland sunflowers for the fall.
Paramountlandscaping
paramountlandscaping.ca › home › best front yard plants
Best Front Yard Plants - Paramount Landscaping - Landscaping Company in Ontario
September 18, 2024 - Known for its stunning display of pink flowers in early spring, the Eastern Redbud adds a pop of colour to any front yard. This small tree is native to Ontario and thrives in both full sun and partial shade. Its heart-shaped leaves provide interest throughout the summer months, and its compact size makes it suitable for smaller yards. For a splash of yellow that lasts from summer into fall, consider planting Black-eyed Susans.
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 ...
On Plants
onplants.ca
Ontario Native Plants - Native Plants Delivered to Your Door
Native plants offer food and habitat for wildlife in your yard. Our genetically diverse plants grown from Ontario seed will benefit your local ecosystem. Nursery professionals with over 40 years of experience grow our plants. We have offered exceptional customer service since 2017, paired with a solid guarantee for your plant orders. Order online from the comfort of your home at any time of the day. We ship plants right to your front ...
City of Toronto
toronto.ca › legdocs › mmis › 2018 › pe › bgrd › backgroundfile-113557.pdf pdf
THE BEST NATIVE PLANTS FOR TORONTO GARDENS
This list includes pollinator-friendly plants that are native to the Toronto-area.
The Planting Guys
theplantingguys.com › home › what trees should you plant in the front yard in toronto?
What Trees Should You Plant in the Front Yard in Toronto?
January 15, 2024 - They’re flexible and usually easier to take care of compared to trees planted directly in the soil, making them a convenient choice for urban gardening. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Known for its stunning foliage and compact size, the Japanese Maple is a popular choice for front yards in Toronto.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
10 Best Front Yard Plants to Boost Curb Appeal & Home Value! - YouTube
Transform your front yard into a show-stopping landscape with these 10 Best Front Yard Plants to Boost Home Value! We share our list of expert-approved plant...
Published March 7, 2025
JOMO Studio
jomostudio.com › home › outdoor plants
Outdoor Plants Delivery | From Toronto Across Canada - JOMO Studio
Toronto plant delivery to across Canada. Outdoor plants delivered with lifetime support. Shop house plants online, and get them delivered anywhere in Toronto and close by areas in GTA, and to all provinces in Canada. Find out the best plant for you and your home.
Gardening Know How
gardeningknowhow.com › home › gardening how to › landscape design
10 Front Yard Plants That Will Add Value To Your Home – According To Experts
February 29, 2024 - When planting, enrich the soil with compost or other ... Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries, recommends Heuchera Northern Exposure ‘Amber’ as it is so versatile. “This variety was bred to be hardy, long-lasting and rust-resistant. It also is a strong pollinator attractor,” he says. “It’s great for any front yard, as it can thrive in full sun, part shade or full shade.
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 ·
Midwest Gardening
midwestgardentips.com › my-front-landscape-plants
My Front Landscape Plants - Midwest Gardening
Under the eaves I have to stick with drought tolerant annuals and still have to water a lot. I experiment with plant combinations once in a while, but spring is always so busy I often just grab the old reliables and get them in. Lobelia and sweet potato vine work well in here too. And the final accent in the front landscape, the front entry urns.
Avantilandscaping
avantilandscaping.ca › 20-front-yard-landscaping-ideas-for-canadian-homes
20 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas for Canadian Homes - Avanti Landscaping
Replace a portion of turf or high-maintenance flowerbeds with decorative aggregates (pea gravel, river rock, or crushed stone) and drought-tolerant plants. Native perennials like sedum, purple coneflower, and even hardy succulents (such as hens-and-chicks) can thrive in the fast-draining soil of a rock garden. This approach is both innovative and functional – it greatly reduces watering and weeding needs while still offering plenty of texture and color. If space allows, carve out a small patio or seating area in your front yard.
Call (647) 870-8337
Address 64 Flushing Ave, ON L4L 8H9, Woodbridge
Sheridan Nurseries
sheridannurseries.com
Sheridan Nurseries
Sheridan Nurseries has 8 garden centres in the Toronto area, each with a full range of plants, gardening products & supplies, including patio furniture.
Amazon
amazon.ca › Gardening-Your-Front-Yard-Projects › dp › 0760364869
Gardening Your Front Yard: Projects and Ideas for Big and Small Spaces - Includes Vegetable Gardening, Pollinator Plants, Rain Gardens, and More!: Nolan, Tara: 9780760364864: Books - Amazon.ca
Imagine a grouping of three along the side of a pergola. This project also presents a pretty vertical garden if there is not a lot of space in the front yard for a garden bed. I like the regal look of the Versailles planters you see when strolling the grounds of France’s most famous palace.
Toronto
toronto.ca › home › 311-toronto-at-your-service › find-service-information › article
Zoning - front yard - back yard landscaping requirements - driveway widths - City of Toronto
March 27, 2024 - The City of Toronto has harmonized the requirements for the widths of driveways and the amount of landscaping in the front yards of small residential buildings in the City. Landscaping definition An area used for trees, plants, decorative stonework, retaining walls, walkways or other landscape ...
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.