Master gardener Don Engebretson demonstrates how to use foundation plants to beautify a home's exterior.
Come up with the large design first when landscaping with foundation plants.
Foundation plants can be used to play up a home's strong points or mask unwanted features.
Foundation plantings are trees, shrubs and flowers that look great and thrive when placed next to the foundation of a house. In another sense, these plants act as the "foundation" or backbone of the landscape design when the focus is placed on the house.
First call the utility company and have them come out and mark any underground utility lines before digging. This is a free service.
Next define the beds where foundation plants will go. Get a good idea of the area available to work with by laying out the largest design first.
Figure A
Using graph paper and a tape measure lay out the entire yard with everything that will not be changed or moved, such as the foundation of the house, the driveway or sidewalk and existing trees and shrubs (figure A). Small design areas should always come from the big design, or they risk not blending together in a coherent design scheme.
Figure B
Use a garden hose to lay out the landscape and foundation bed line (figure B). It can easily be pulled in or out, is great for laying out curves and makes a great visual guide to map out the length or width of the bed.
Remember that nature isn't perfect, so avoid straight lines. Always curve landscape lines, and reflect those curves in sidewalks and paths.
Fill an empty milk carton with flour for charting out bed lines. Simply pour out the garden bed line with flour. It can be erased just by kicking it away, and can therefore be redone as much as needed.
Make sure to choose the plants carefully, according to the amount of sunlight or shade the desired area receives. Also keep winter in mind, especially in northern parts of the country. Choose a variety of plants but keep growing conditions in mind.
Think about the future. Remember that in time those little trees and plants can grow up to become big trees and plants. Give them room to grow and avoid planting new trees and shrubs too close to the house or to each other.
Keep the look symmetrical.
Foundation plantings are there to stay. Use them to soften, enhance or even hide certain features of the house. Vertical corners and rooflines can all be softened or rounded by the proper placement of the plants. Draw attention away from the home's sharp corners by choosing curved shrubs and trees.
Decide what role the plants are going to play in the yard. For instance, spring blooms are great for decoration; leafy trees provide shade; and thick pine trees can really cut down the winter wind.
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