Most homeowners in North America, don’t consider the curb appeal of their homes the way the English do. Gardeners do, however, spend a lot of time in the care of their front gardens with a view to neatness and simplicity. It’s easy on the eyes, easy to maintain and it’s worked for a long time in the new world. But there can be more to a front garden than foundation plantings and a flower border along the drive.
Those gardeners who live outside the garden design ‚”box,” find all sorts of ways to take their front gardens beyond the norm. The back yard is their personal haven, but the front yard is very public.
Sidewalk garden will dress up the curb appeal and add old world charm and cottage garden appeal.
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Rather than place front fence at the very edge of the curb, bring it back about five feet. The gardener is not giving up space, but stretching the garden further and allowing plantings on both side of the fence. The appeal is a sidewalk garden. In two seasons, people will be stopping to the smell the roses. When the gardener opens her gate, she’ll feel instantly removed to another place and time – perhaps into a Helen Allingham painting of a cottage garden in the Cotswolds.
Old-fashioned flowers, vines and shrubs have a nostalgic look and lend themselves well to fence line planting. Consider large clumps of cosmos, hollyhocks, larkspur and foxgloves. The fuller the fence line, the lovelier the effect.
Rambling roses are not quite the same as climbers. They do throw out long stems, but are meant to, well … ramble, rather than climb vertically. These are perfectly built for clamoring over fences and can easily be tied in, in whatever direction you choose. Some good varieties include, Kew Rambler, Francois Juranville, Blush Rambler, Goldfinch and American Pillar. These all have good scent and lend themselves perfectly to rambling over fences. Hardy to zone 5.
Lavender is beautifully scented and will fill in quickly. It seldom travels or sets seeds, but the occasional cutting back may be needed as lavender can get quite bushy and big. Lavender is beautifully pungent and its perfume is free for the pedestrians who happen to pass by. A perfect traditional choice for the outside border. Hardy to zone 4.
Creeping plants are a must for a low maintenance garden. Plants like mother-of-thyme and creeping phlox will help keep the weeds down. They spread nicely and will quickly shade the soil from those pesky stray seeds, stopping them from germinating. Creeping Phlox is hardy to zone 3.
Pinks or Dianthus aren’t creeping plants, but they are perfect for planting at or near the front of the border. Nicely scented and very pretty. Hardy to zone 3.
Tall plants in the back of the border will give the garden depth in layers. Consider small groups of tall perennials rather than one here and there. Five delphiniums massed together is far more pleasing aesthetically than single plants. Delphiniums come in a variety of shades and good gardeners easily get a second show later in the season. Delphiniums are hardy to zone 3.
Other tall perennials include hollyhocks, although they can get messy in the lower leaves, so it’s important to keep those lower stems hidden by mid-size plants. Hollyhocks typify a country or cottage garden and these old-fashioned flowers always have great appeal. Biennials, hardy to zone 3.
Mid-size plants include Baby’s Breath to soften the border in billowy masses of tiny white flowers. They are hardy to zone 3.
Consider height, scent and color for this project. Begin planting the taller flowers along both sides of the fence and work outward for a pyramid affect.
Pink roses rambling over a white picket fence is cheery and smile-inducing. Plant en masse for a pleasing naturalistic border, rather than one of everything. There is a place for chaos in a cottage garden, but it needs to be toned down a little for curb appeal.
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