Landscape Design in North Georgia: Secrets to know for your front yard.
What are the most important things to consider when adding a beautiful design to your front yard if you live in North Georgia? Well, we are here to show you some tricks that landscape designers won’t tell you (for free)!
First, look at the style of your house and make sure your plant design matches the aesthetic. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met with clients whose home clashes with the plants, and it creates a discordant effect. Our goal is to balance the plants with the house exterior. If you have a cottage style home, then your plan will offer a variety of flowers and not the same exact plant everywhere.
Whereas, if you live in a mountain home, you need plants that are mainly evergreen and fit the ruggedness of the countryside. Therefore, you could choose ornamental grasses and minimal upkeep flowers like yarrow. Since the temperature changes so drastically in North Georgia areas like Cleveland or Helen, Georgia, sticking to perennial plants that have long bloom times and will withstand cold temperatures is a must. I prefer tough plants as a staple in my yard, and then adding in annual flowers in pots on the front porch.
Second thing to consider when planning your front yard design is the height of your home. You must choose low growing plants for a short foundation or taller plants for a higher foundation. You do not want four foot tall hydrangeas if your front porch is only two feet off the ground like the home below in the pic. Rather, dwarf gardenias or miniature butterfly bushes would suffice and not overrun your home exterior.
I’m sure you have seen this mistake before…people planting bushes against their home and before long, the house is hidden due to the bush’s large size. This causes an unkept appearance and can even block your window’s view outside. If you like taller bushes and trees in front of your house, then plant them along the corners of your home. That way your view of the home remains intact and the tree can create a grounding effect for your home making it appear set in the landscape. So it’s a win win for both you and the exterior!
If you’re looking to update your house’s exterior with plants, we know some amazing local places to purchase them. A gigantic nursery like Site One in Buford, Georgia will deliver plants and trees for you at a low cost or Kinsey Family Farm (pictured below) in Gainesville, Georgia excels at customer service and that small town feel are both great options for getting what you need.
Last nugget of advice, include a type of filler for your flower beds along the house. For a super low budget and cheap option choose pine straw from a local supplier like Fairview Gravel located in Clarkesville, Georgia who wil deliver right to your doorstep.
Or if you desire a more put-together look that appears neater, go with brown or black mulch. Typically, you want to match your mulch with your roof color. Black roof = black mulch. Brown roof = brown mulch. Gray roof can go either way. A local business for mulch is either Lowes in Cornelia, Georgia or Tractor Supply in Dawsonville, Georgia. At $3.50 per bag, this is a great choice for being cost effective.
The only downside to mulch is it can dye your foundation paint. So never pile mulch too high next to your house.
If you’re ready for a refresh or new look to your landscape, then let us be a part of that design. We would love to meet you and create the home exterior of your dreams. If you live far away, no worries since we offer both online and in-person consultations. It’s time for your home to be beautiful. Lydia Nicole Landscape Design will get you there!
