There are many design elements to consider for the landscape — color, simplicity, scale, balance, rhythm, focal points — but one landscape plan generally ignores all of these, yet continues to be the default choice for many new homes. I’m talking about foundation planting.
Planting around the foundation was originally intended to hide structures of pier and beam houses or houses with basements. But the vast majority of homes built today are slabs, making foundation planting an unnecessary task.
A better option is to choose a small group of plant species, with varying textures and heights to complement each other. Additionally, how much sun exposure a particular area receives will also guide you on what to plant.
Considering all the factors above, a typical shade front might consist of:
- Spider lily
- Sago palm
- Purple oxalis
- Dwarf plumbago
- Beds – 5-10 feet in width and curved
Or a typical sun front might consist of:
- Salvia
- Marie Daly or Cecile Brunner roses
- Russelia
- Skullcap
- Clover fern
- Beds – 5-10 feet in width and curved
Whether you opt for symmetry – equal heights and spacing — or asymmetry – varying heights and spacing – depends on the home’s architecture, and personal preference, of course.
