An eye-catching front yard can work wonders for the value and curb appeal of your Lebanon, PA, home. And while flowing driveways and majestic masonry have their place in any landscape design, a truly complete front yard needs the right kind of plants to make it feel like the great outdoors. Here are some plants to really make your front yard stand out.
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Evergreens
If it’s year on year consistency you are after, evergreens are the go-to plant for your front yard. Evergreen trees can be found in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with many species being native to North America and well suited to the PA climate. Balsam Firs (Abies balsamea) and the Norway Spruce (Picea abies) trees are great examples of classic evergreen trees that grow quickly and can enhance your front yard with their vertical presence. They work especially well in modern landscapes due to their consistent growth and conical shapes. For more natural yards, consider different varieties of white pine, such as the Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus 'Contorta') and Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) with their uniquely shaped leaves. Regardless of your choice, evergreens are excellent for giving your front yard vertical dimension and a colorful presence year round, with minimal maintenance.
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Hedges and shrubs
Landscapers Lebanon PA - Plants for Front Yard
Hedges and shrubs are an essential piece for any front yard. They can be used to bridge the gap between lawns and trees, giving your yard a flowing look. Hedges are also excellent for lining paths or as an alternative to perimeter fences. Moreover, you have a good variety of options available for both deciduous and evergreen hedges and shrubs suited to the PA climate. Evergreen Juniper (Juniperus) and Arborvitae species (Thuja occidentalis) are excellent choices thanks to their hardy nature and quick growth rates. You can also go the alternate route with species like Barberry (Berberis) and Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) which turn a beautiful bright red come fall. Lastly, there is also the option of flowering plants such as the forsythia plant (Forsythia spp.) and Lilac (Syringa vulgaris). The right combination of these plants can give your front yard a colorful presence in the fall and spring months and give your home a distinct look.
Vines
Vines are a wonderful option for any yard and are especially well suited to front yards given their multitude of uses. They can be used to give your home’s facade a new look that will change with the seasons. They can also just as easily be used as cover for retaining walls or to give your fences a natural look. Evergreen options such as English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens ‘Margarita’) keep your front facade looking lush and green year round. Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is excellent if you want the pleasant scent and beautiful yellow flowers driving away the winter blues. Moreover, you also have the option of going with grape vines such as the popular Reliance grapevine (Vitis 'Reliance') to brighten up your yard with its distinctive pink-purple grapes.
Lastly, with any choice of plant, it is equally important to take the proportions of your yard, as well as the design language, into consideration. With the right choice and balance, your front yard can be the envy of your street.
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