The entrances to your home should provide easy access through your landscaping and yard. First impressions count for a lot, so aesthetic appeal surrounding your landscaping plans and entryways is important. It’s usually best to start with the highest traffic entry area which is usually from your home to your parking area. Next, assess the paths and walkways to and from all access areas of your home. The plants that surround these spots should guide a visitors eye towards your entryways or exits. Side entrances that are used as much or more than your front door, should also be considered. Colorful blooms, walkways, foundation beds, and outdoor lighting may be used.

To create some height with plantings, start by building up towards your house. Start plantings low and then increase the height of your plants as they get closer to the house. This will help direct attention to your entryway. Pay close attention here because garden beds bordering a sidewalk or pathway can draw attention away from your entrance. The best I can explain it is that the beginning of your walkway is a starting point leading your entry as an opening leading you towards the door.

A sense of invitation and safety should both be considerations for your entryway. Depending on your neighborhood, good lighting and moderate visibility ensure safety at night when walking from your garage or driveway into your home. If you have a foyer, mudroom, laundry room, summer kitchen, or utility room that abuts your front or rear entry, plan for ease on the eyes as well as functional traffic flow.  

What’s the best way to guide visitors through your access entryways? Most professional landscaping contractors basically follow the same pattern here. Walks, hedges, borders, edging, fences, trellises, screens, and railings are all good ideas. You can add planters to accent entryways to certain places. Fences, raised beds, and screening can also be used to hide spots that have visible utilities from view.

When planting to define access and entry areas, consider the mature size and spread of the plants when spacing. This is often a forgotten consideration in landscaping plans. As your access areas will usually lead to or near your home, plantings need to be placed far enough from your foundation to allow for maintenance of both home and garden. Plants should be spaced far enough from your house and outbuildings so that you will be able to tend to them once they have reached full size. Shrubs and hedges given time to grow will create a natural boundary, while a fence offers immediacy.


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