Transforming this front yard was all about embracing the beauty of shade and turning an underwhelming entrance into a warm, layered, and inviting garden. The space, previously flat and disconnected, is now reimagined as a peaceful shade-forward sanctuary—soft in texture, rich in structure, and thoughtfully designed for seasonal color.
Two new trellises were installed along the side of the yard to provide privacy from the neighboring property. These structures add subtle vertical presence while creating a more intimate feel throughout the front garden.
In the primary front bed, we intentionally left open pockets for next season’s annuals, giving the homeowner the freedom to play with color and bring fresh personality to the garden each year.
Along the border leading to the house, the graceful Hydrangea ‘Quick Fire’ (Hydrangea paniculata) in tree form anchors the walkway. Around it, drifts of coneflowers add energy and rhythm—Echinacea ‘Magnus’, Echinacea ‘Pow Wow’, Echinacea ‘Sombrero Hot Coral’, and Echinacea ‘Salsa Red’—each chosen for their vibrant blooms and ability to shine even in dappled light. Their mix of pinks, corals, and reds creates a cheerful, welcoming transition from street to porch.
In the sitting area near the deck, we framed the wooden Adirondack-style chairs with textural evergreens and shade-loving companions. The upright elegance of Juniperus contrasts beautifully with the low, spreading speckled foliage of Pulmonaria, which softens the edges and adds gentle spring charm. Flanking the seating, two square pots showcase vibrant Hydrangea macrophylla in blue, bringing a cheerful pop of color and softness to the shady corner.
The heart of the garden’s shade palette comes from thoughtfully selected structural plants. A graceful Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’) adds movement and sculptural form, while the cascading habit of a Weeping Redbud (Cercis canadensis) and the delicate blooms of a Weeping Cherry (Prunus pendula) add seasonal magic. Hydrangeas fill the understory with lush texture—Hydrangea macrophylla (‘Big Leaf’), Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Quick Fire’, and the durable Hydrangea serrata ‘Tuff Stuff’.
Perennials weave through the planting beds to extend color across the seasons: the bright gold of Achillea ‘Moonshine’, the violet tones of Achillea ‘Violet’, the magenta tuft of Dianthus ‘Firewitch’, and the deep purple spikes of Salvia ‘May Night’. Late-season structure is added with Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’, Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar’, and the rich burgundy foliage of Sedum ‘Firecracker’. Hostas—Hosta ‘Guacamole’ and Hosta Shadowlands bring broad, cooling foliage to anchor the shade.
As a final touch, we prepared the garden for spring by lining the seating-area border with daffodil bulbs. Come early spring, cheerful yellow blooms will rise through the emerging perennials, marking the first burst of color in this welcoming front-yard retreat.
Plantings Include:
Cedar Blue Atlas Weeping (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’), Redbud Weeping (Cercis canadensis), Cherry Weeping (Prunus pendula), Juniper Blue Chip (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’), Juniper Blue Star (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’), Hydrangea Tree Quick Fire (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Quick Fire’), Hydrangea Big Leaf (Hydrangea macrophylla), Hydrangea Panicle Little Quick Fire (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Quick Fire’), Hydrangea Mountain Tuff Stuff (Hydrangea serrata ‘Tuff Stuff’), Yarrow Moonshine (Achillea ‘Moonshine’), Yarrow Violet (Achillea ‘Violet’), Dianthus Firewitch (Dianthus ‘Firewitch’), Coneflower Magnus (Echinacea ‘Magnus’), Coneflower Pow Wow (Echinacea ‘Pow Wow’), Coneflower Sombrero Hot Coral (Echinacea ‘Sombrero Hot Coral’), Coneflower Salsa Red (Echinacea ‘Salsa Red’), Hibiscus Angel Eyes (Hibiscus ‘Angel Eyes’), Hosta Guacamole (Hosta ‘Guacamole’), Hosta Shadowlands (Hosta ‘Shadowlands’), Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria spp.), Black Eyed Susan Goldsturm (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’), Black Eyed Susan Little Gold Star (Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar’), Salvia May Night (Salvia ‘May Night’), Sedum Firecracker (Sedum ‘Firecracker’)
