The result of all these changes is that some American gardeners are re-discovering something they forgot they had--the front yard.
Often, a front yard may consist of a lawn with some trees, shrubs, and foundation plantings. Occasionally hedges are used to mark property lines.
Historically, before World War II and the rise of suburban America, front yards were once an important part of the landscape. During the Colonial era, the European settlers had dooryard gardens where they grew herbs, flowers and other plants. The result was something like a modern cottage garden.
We want a front yard to look its best. This is the view seen by guests and friends when they arrive for visits. Create a showplace garden with herbs and other attractive plants for year-round interest.
Usually the front yard will have a walkway to the front door. Create a wide-sweeping flowerbed along each side of the walk. For such beds, use both foliage and flowering herbs so there'll be color and texture even when the flowers aren't in bloom.
At the back of the bed, plant medium to tall herbs, and use low-growing herbs as edging plants along the edge of the walkway. Shapely, well-behaved herbs, such as thyme, are best. Avoid planting tall plants that will flop over and block the path. It's natural for some species to spill over the edge, but you don't' want the walkway obscured by the plants.
Instead of an ordinary walkway, you might want stepping stones. In that case, creeping herbs can be planted between them.
If you have a hedge that is growing along the edge of the property line, use it to create a mixed shrub border. The shrubs in the hedge will provide a great background for the other plants. For this mixed border, there are many suitable herb species, such as roses, yarrow, anise-hyssop, soapwort, and vervain.
Some homes will have foundation plantings in the front yard. What should be done with these? This will partly depend upon the age, condition, and types of plants present.
Typically a foundation planting will it will consist of some rounded shrubs and some tall, spiky evergreens--often planted at the corners of the house and on each side of the door. These plantings add no interest to the landscape. Quite often, they're unattractive and overgrown.
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