Dreaming of a gorgeous front yard that won't require you to weed, trim, and toil for hours every weekend Whether you have a tiny plot or a huge yard, it's possible to create a practical but pretty outdoor space with low-maintenance landscape ideas for your front yard.
Low maintenance doesn't mean no maintenance, however. Even the best-designed landscapes require some upkeep. "But with thoughtful planning, you can create a space that looks good without constant work," says landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni, founder of Staghorn NYC and The Cultivation by Kat. "It's really about good design that takes into consideration your wants and your lifestyle."
To create landscaping that's easy to maintain, focus on three key components of your outdoor space: Hardscape, such as your patio and paths; carpentry-type elements such as decking and fencing; and plants that won't make a huge mess or need constant trimming and babying. "All three of these design elements should be low maintenance so that your dreams of a beautiful landscape and the reality of how much time you actually have to work in your garden are in harmony," says Cervoni.
For perennials and trees, it's important to to do some homework before shopping. You need to choose ones that are suited to survive winters in your USDA Hardiness zone. Otherwise, you'll just waste time and money.
Read more: Chaos Gardening Is the Easiest Way to Grow Your Dream Garden
Ahead, we've rounded up low-maintenance front yard landscaping ideas that you actually can put into practice—not just dream about in your garden fantasies.
1
Pay Attention Sun Exposure
You've heard it before: Choose the right plant for the right place, says Cervoni. Always read the plant tag or description before buying a plant so you give it the conditions it needs to thrive.
Sun lovers need sun, and shade lovers will fry in the hot sun. If you try to cheat, you're just dooming a plant to struggle so that it looks bad and may eventually die (which is a waste of money!).
Read more: 32 Gorgeous Plants That Can Survive and Thrive in the Sun
2
Go With Evergreens
Gorgeous evergreens come in every shade from teal to chartreuse. Opt for dwarf varieties if you're short on space, and stick with those that keep their natural rounded or conical shape without needing pruning for the most low-maintenance options.
3
Use a Flowering Tree as a Focal Point
Get the most bang for your buck: A flowering tree accents your landscape but doesn't require tons of upkeep or constant pruning, if you choose well. Two of Cervoni's favorites include Kousa dogwood, which is more disease resistant than native dogwood, and redbud trees (seen here), which have gorgeous spring flowers that don't leave a big mess when they drop.
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4
Invest in Raised Beds
Raised beds provide a boundary that keeps your front yard looking neat. Natural stone is especially appealing and will last forever.
Read more: Do You Need to Hire a Landscape Designer? Read This First
5
Opt for Durable Materials
Choose long-lasting materials for projects such as fencing or decks, says Cervoni. Hardwoods such as Brazilian ipe and domestic black locust or composite materials for decking boards and vinyl or hardwood for fencing will outlast inexpensive pressure-treated pine.
Read more: 10 Cheap Fence Ideas Designers Actually Love
6
Plant Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are particularly appealing because they're hardy, deer resistant, and incredible looking when they're blowing in the wind to add texture and interest, says Cervoni. Carex and hachnechloa are beautiful options.
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7
Add Shrub Roses to Beds and Borders
Do you love roses? Then stick with hardy shrub rose types such as Knockouts. They're self-cleaning (they drop their spent blooms without needing pruning) and are more disease resistant. They also bloom nonstop from spring to frost.
8
Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Plant them once and enjoy them for years! Spring-flowering bulbs must be planted in the fall to bloom the following spring. The most reliable performers year after year include daffodils, hyacinths, and muscari. Tulips are lovely but don't bloom well in subsequent years, so they're considered annuals and must be replanted every fall.
9
Hang Window Boxes
Window boxes provide color without having to invest in landscape plantings. You also can change up plantings by the season, say, if you want spring-flowering bulbs or autumn mums.
Invest in self-watering containers too so you'll need to water every week or so instead of daily.
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10
Make Perennials Part of Your Landscape
Perennials come back year after year, so they're an amazing long-term investment, says Cervoni. Some of her favorites for full sun include catmint and coreopsis. For part sun, go with heuchera and dicentra.
11
Substitute Ground Cover for Lawn
Unless you love the look of a beautiful lawn, your entire yard doesn't have to be grass. If you'd prefer an alternative, consider planting groundcovers, low-growing plants that add interest and color without requiring quite as much upkeep as a lawn.
Read more: 9 Reasons Your Lawn Looks So Much Worse Than Your Neighbor's
12
Create a Container Garden
No planting beds in your front yard? Arrange a series of different-size pots for a garden you can relocate whenever and wherever you like. The various types of succulents seen here are drought tolerant but offer great form and texture to the garden.
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13
Plant for Fall Color
Design your garden for fall too. Ornamental trees such as Japanese maple offer splashes of color but won't require a ton of raking since they're typically small trees. "There's a size and variety that will appeal to everyone," says Cervoni. Read the plant tag so you know what kind you're buying, paying attention to mature size and width so you don't plant too close to your house, which could cause maintenance headaches in the future.
14
Stick to Drought Tolerant Plants
Cut back on how often you need to water by choosing plants that can stand up to heat and drought once they're established. Cervoni likes perennials such as Russian sage and lavender, which have beautiful color and bloom for weeks on end. They're also pollinator friendly and deer resistant.
15
Design for All Four Seasons
Plenty of low-maintenance plants can enhance your front yard landscape throughout the year, even during the long, dark winter months. Plant evergreens for year-round color, perennials such as hellebores that bloom in late winter to early spring, and shrubs such as red twig dogwood or winterberry that show off beautifully against the snow or faded landscape.
Read more: 17 Winters Flowers Thrive During the Coldest Months of the Year
Arricca Elin SanSone
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in low-maintenance landscaping, I'm here to share my knowledge and expertise on creating a practical and beautiful outdoor space for your front yard. I have a deep understanding of the concepts and ideas mentioned in this article. Let's dive into each concept and explore how they can help you achieve your dream front yard without the need for constant weeding, trimming, and toiling.
The article emphasizes the importance of good design and thoughtful planning when creating a low-maintenance landscape. According to landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni, founder of Staghorn NYC and The Cultivation by Kat, the key components to focus on are hardscape, carpentry-type elements, and plants that require minimal upkeep.
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Hardscape: This refers to elements such as patios and paths. Choosing durable materials for these features ensures they will last and require minimal maintenance. Natural stone, for example, is not only appealing but also long-lasting.
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Carpentry-type elements: This includes decking and fencing. Opting for high-quality materials like Brazilian ipe or composite materials for decking boards, and hardwood or vinyl for fencing, will result in structures that outlast inexpensive options like pressure-treated pine.
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Low-maintenance plants: Selecting the right plants is crucial for a low-maintenance landscape. Consider factors such as sun exposure and your USDA Hardiness zone when choosing perennials and trees. Sun-loving plants should be placed in sunny areas, while shade lovers should be positioned accordingly. It's important to choose plants that are suited to survive winters in your specific zone to avoid wasting time and money.
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Evergreens: These plants come in various shades and provide year-round color. Opt for dwarf varieties if you have limited space, and choose ones that maintain their natural shape without requiring frequent pruning.
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Flowering trees: These trees serve as focal points in your landscape and add beauty without demanding excessive upkeep. Consider varieties such as Kousa dogwood, which is more disease resistant than native dogwood, and redbud trees, which have stunning spring flowers without leaving a big mess when they drop.
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Ornamental grasses: These hardy, deer-resistant plants add texture and interest to your front yard. Carex and hachnechloa are two beautiful options to consider.
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Shrub roses: If you love roses, opt for hardy shrub rose types like Knockouts. They are self-cleaning, meaning they drop their spent blooms without needing frequent pruning. They also bloom continuously from spring to frost.
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Spring-flowering bulbs: Planting bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, and muscari in the fall will reward you with beautiful blooms in the following spring. Note that tulips are considered annuals and need to be replanted every fall.
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Window boxes: These provide color without the need for extensive landscape plantings. You can change the plantings according to the season, such as spring-flowering bulbs or autumn mums. Consider investing in self-watering containers to reduce the frequency of watering.
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Perennials: These plants come back year after year and are a long-term investment. Catmint and coreopsis are great options for full sun, while heuchera and dicentra thrive in part sun.
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Ground cover: If you don't want an entire lawn, consider planting groundcovers. These low-growing plants add interest and color to your yard without requiring as much maintenance as a traditional lawn.
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Container garden: If you lack planting beds, arranging different-sized pots can create a versatile garden that can be relocated easily. Drought-tolerant succulents are a great choice for container gardening.
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Fall color: Designing your garden to include ornamental trees like Japanese maples can add splashes of color in the fall. Pay attention to the mature size and width of the tree to avoid future maintenance headaches.
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Drought-tolerant plants: Choose plants that can withstand heat and drought once they are established. Russian sage and lavender are not only beautiful and colorful but also pollinator-friendly and deer-resistant.
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Design for all four seasons: Incorporate plants that provide year-round interest and color. Evergreens, hellebores that bloom in late winter to early spring, and shrubs like red twig dogwood or winterberry can add beauty even during the winter months.
By implementing these low-maintenance landscaping ideas, you can create a front yard that is both practical and visually appealing. With the right design and plant selections, you can enjoy a beautiful landscape without spending hours on upkeep every weekend.
