Are you tired of your lackluster entryway? Do friends and family have a habit of always missing your driveway because it “blends right in?” Or do you just love working with plants and you want to add more container arrangements to your space?
Whatever the reason, you’ve stumbled upon this article in the hopes of finding a way to elevate your home’s front entrance. And the good news is, we’ve got plenty of plants (50 in fact!) that are sure to do just that.
So read on for our favorite plants that are certain to bring color and interest to your home’s front door and walkway. We’ve got annuals, perennials, trees and container plants too, so no matter your interest, we’ve got an answer for you.
Jump to:
- Best front door plants to beautify your home
- Add color with bright annuals
- 1. Marigolds
- 2. Zinnias
- 3. Nasturtiums
- 4. Snapdragons
- 5. Calla lilies
- 6. Heliotrope
- 7. Lantana
- 8. Cosmos
- 9. Alyssum
- 10. Sunflowers
- Plant perennials for pollinators
- 11. Cardinal flower
- 12. Lupine
- 13. Bee balm
- 14. Purple coneflower
- 15. Salvia
- 16. Red hot poker
- 17. Yarrow
- 18. Agastache
- 19. Liatris
- 20. Black-Eyed Susan
- Sculpt topiaries for a classic look
- 21. Boxwood
- 22. Cypress
- 23. Wilson’s honeysuckle
- 24. Japanese holly
- 25. Arborvitae
- Accentuate porches with hanging planters
- 26. Boston fern
- 27. Fuchsia
- 28. Petunias
- 29. Geranium
- 30. Burro’s tail
- Frame doorways with climbing plants
- 31. Clematis
- 32. Wisteria
- 33. Climbing roses
- 34. Sweet peas
- 35. Jasmine
- Use foliage plants for drama
- 36. Coleus
- 37. Crotons
- 38. Caladium
- 39. Begonias
- 40. Elephant ear
- Create drama with a specimen tree
- 41. Dwarf weeping cherry
- 42. Japanese maple
- 43. Smoke bush
- 44. Magnolia
- 45. Weeping larch
- Grow edibles and cut grocery costs
- 46. Sage
- 47. Lavender
- 48. Shiso
- 49. Bachelor buttons
- 50. Chives
- What makes a good entryway plant?
- Tips on how to pick the perfect plants
- How to select the right plants
- Basics of container planting
- Conclusion
Best front door plants to beautify your home
When selecting plants to accent your entryway, look for bold, bright colors, interesting shapes and that “wow” factor.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of our top 50 favorite plants to add drama and interest to your front door. Plants are divided into groups so that you can find exactly the sort of plant that will work well for you and your home.
Whether you like annuals, perennials, statements plants or edible options, we’ve got you covered. There’s something here for every taste, style and home décor.
Add color with bright annuals
Annuals are, by far, the most popular ornamental plants for entryway displays and container gardens.
While annuals won’t come back year after year, what they lack in staying power, they more than make up for with their bright and boldly colorful blooms. Ideal for outdoor planters and window box displays, try planting several different types of annuals together, playing with different colors, heights and textures for a more creative design.
Below are some of our favorite annuals which are sure to draw the eye to your door with their bright colors and interesting shapes. Better yet, most of these plants are easy to care for and are common enough that you’ll be able to find them at most garden centers.
1. Marigolds
Who doesn’t love the bright colors and cheery blooms of marigolds? While marigolds are common, how you use them in your outdoor arrangements is up to you and, by pairing their colorful yellow, orange and red flowers with complementary purples or other autumnal blooms, you are certain to make a stunning arrangement.
Marigolds come in a range of sizes, from small dwarf plants to 3’ tall monsters. Blooming from early summer to the hard frosts of autumn, marigolds have moderate watering requirements and can also be used as companion plants to repel common pests, like rabbits and cabbage loopers, from more delicate flowers.
2. Zinnias
Eye-catching zinnias boast bright flowers that can range from pink and purple to yellow, white and even green!
Preferring consistently moist soil, zinnias need deep watering and full sun to thrive and will bloom happily from late spring to autumn. While they are certain to draw the eye to your entryway, these multi-purpose flowers are also popular with pollinators, like hummingbirds, and work well for cut flower arrangements too.
3. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums come in both mounding and trailing varieties, which work particularly well in container gardens that allow their long, flowing stems to cascade gently.
With blooms ranging from yellow to red, nasturtiums are easy-care plants that work well in elaborately planted containers and window boxes. Even better? All parts of nasturtiums are edible and make fantastic salad toppers and garnishes.
4. Snapdragons
Snapdragons’ delicate flowers look like springtime, although they bloom from spring to autumn. Often coming in pastel yellows, pinks and oranges, snapdragons look particularly nice in cottage gardens and window box displays.
No matter what, snapdragons range of colors and sizes means you’re sure to find a variety that will work well for your front walkway or container garden. Just provide your snapdragons with consistent watering and they’ll bloom happily, in full sun to partial shade.
5. Calla lilies
For bold colors and unusual forms, look no further than calla lilies. While snapdragons are perfect for quaint cottage gardens, calla lilies unique shapes and colors give them a sleeker look, making them the perfect plant for modern entryways.
There are several different species of calla lilies, and they come in different colors, including white, dark purple and brilliant red, so you’re sure to find a color that will go well with your home décor. These tropical looking plants don’t do well in cold areas, however, so if you live in zone 8 or lower, try digging your calla bulbs up in fall and overwintering them indoors.
6. Heliotrope
While heliotropes may be less well-known than other annual varieties, these sweet little plants may just become one of your favorites. With vibrant blooms in purples and white, heliotropes are prized for their rich fragrance, which is said to smell like vanilla and is certain to lend a tropical feel to your front porch or container garden.
Native to Peru, in the wild heliotropes can grow up to 15’ tall, but will remain much more diminutive in your garden, where they are unlikely to grow more than 3’ in height. While they do best in full sun, if you live in a hot area, try shielding your heliotropes from the scorching heat of late afternoon sun if you can.
7. Lantana
Lantanas can grow up to 4’ tall and offer vibrant clusters of orange, pink or purple flowers. Working well with in-ground planting, as well as container gardens and hanging arrangements, lantana is a versatile plant that can be used so many ways in your outdoor space.
A favorite among hummingbirds and other pollinators, try pairing lantana with heliotrope or bee balm for a truly stunning arrangement that neither you, nor hummingbirds, will be able to resist.
8. Cosmos
If you’re going for a feminine feel or love the airy look of feathery foliage, cosmos are your best bet. These daisy-like flowers are most often spotted in pinks and white, but come in orange and maroon too if you prefer richer color tones.
Available in both tall and dwarf varieties, cosmos are prolific self-seeders, so if you love them, just let them seed themselves and you’ll have happy little blooms for many years to come.
9. Alyssum
If you’re putting together a container garden for your front porch or patio, try out some sweet alyssum for a change. These delicate little plants come in white, purple and peach and their horizontally spreading growth habit makes them some of the best “spiller” plants for planters that you can find.
Super easy to care for, provide your alyssum with consistent moisture and full sun and it will reward you with an abundance of long-lasting blooms.
10. Sunflowers
You may be most familiar with mammoth sunflowers and other massive field varieties of these autumn favorites. But did you know sunflowers come in dwarf sizes too that are perfect for small entryway planters?
Not only do dwarf sunflowers exist, but you can also find sunflowers in unusual colors, such as deep burgundy and a pristine white. For extra color and impact, try pairing tall sunflowers with shorter annuals, such as nasturtiums or snapdragons with complementary bloom colors.
And if you needed more reason to love sunflowers, these cheery blooms are pollinator favorites and are sure to attract bees and butterflies to your front walkway too!
Plant perennials for pollinators
Because perennials come back year after year, they can save you lots of money that you would otherwise spend replacing your annuals every spring. What’s more, because you won’t need to constantly be swapping out annuals in your entryway or container gardens, your gardening process will be that much simpler.
But the benefits of perennials extend far beyond their cost effectiveness. Many perennials are native plants and are preferred by foraging pollinators. So, if you want to help the bees, or simply attract some colorful butterflies to your front stoop, try planting some perennials.
While there are too many perennial varieties to cover them all, below we’ve selected our top ten favorite types that are great for pollinators and their eye-catching blooms will make your front entrance pop too.
11. Cardinal flower
As the name suggests, cardinal flowers are known for their bright red spires of flowers that can grow up to 4’ tall. Absolutely irresistible to hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators love them too, so be prepared for lots of garden visitors if you plant these stunning plants.
In nature, cardinal flowers grow on the banks of rivers, which means they love plenty of water! In cool climates they can tolerate lots of full, bright sun, but if you live in a hot area, try to locate your flowers in a spot where they will receive some afternoon shade.
12. Lupine
Spring-blooming lupines can keep their flowers going well into summer and feature a wide array of colors, including pinks, purples and indigos. A favorite among bees, lupines are likely to draw in solitary bees, in particular, including fuzzy bumblebees.
Preferring rather dry soil, once your lupines are established, only water them during periods of drought and provide them with plenty of bright sun.
13. Bee balm
Also known as wild bergamot, bee balm are quite tall plants, regularly reaching 4’ tall. Because of their large size and bright red flowers, bee balms are exceptional plants for container planters and in-ground planting alike; however, they do have a tendency to spread.
If you’re looking to attract pollinators, bee balm will lure in plenty of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds!
14. Purple coneflower
Otherwise known as echinacea, purple coneflower boasts pretty purple petals that attract all sorts of pollinators.
If you’re looking for a bright color boost for your front steps, try pairing coneflowers with some black-eyed Susan for a fun display. Both plants have similar care needs, preferring moderate watering and full sun exposure.
15. Salvia
A member of the sage family, salvia are easy-grow plants that come in purple, white and red. With minimal watering needs, salvia is a great choice for gardeners who don’t like a lot of fuss. They are naturally deer and rabbit resistant too!
If you want to attract honeybees and native bees alike, try some salvia in your garden. You won’t be disappointed.
16. Red hot poker
If you want an unusual plant that will have the neighbors wondering what it is, try red hot poker. These odd-ball plants, with their cylindrical flowers that fade from a bright yellow to red, look like something straight from outer space.
Once established, red hot pokers can tolerate periods of drought, but keep them well watered while they’re just getting started.
17. Yarrow
Yarrow comes in a range of colors from pale pink and yellow, to more vibrant reds and golds. Yarrow also features delicate, feathery foliage which looks particularly charming in cottage gardens and porch planters.
With wide flat blooms, yarrow is a favorite among larger pollinators, like butterflies, that can easily perch on their large flowers while feeding.
18. Agastache
Also known as anise hyssop, Agastache is a gorgeous plant with spires of purple blooms that all sorts of pollinators, including hummingbirds, love.
Growing up to 4’ tall, Agastache will provide lots of structural interest and color when planted in front beds or containers. Simply provide them with water once every week or two and plenty of bright sun to keep them happy.
19. Liatris
Somewhat similar in appearance to Agastache, Liatris has pink, cylindrical flowers and lots of spiky foliage. Another structural plant, Liatris looks particularly nice when used as a focal point in floral arrangements and paired with smaller, softer-looking plants, like alyssum.
Excellent in cut flower arrangements, Liatris is one of the best plants to plant if you want to attract butterflies.
20. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is a classic plant that works in formal gardens and autumnal container gardens too. With their golden-orange blooms framing a chocolatey center, it’s hard not to smile when you see these cheery flowers!
Black-eyed Susan are prolific self-seeders, so be sure to deadhead them if you don’t want them spreading. Although pollinators won’t mind if these little plants spread all over the place!
Sculpt topiaries for a classic look
With their trim shapes and intriguing silhouettes, traditional topiaries never go out of style. Formed by carefully pruning evergreen bushes with dense foliage, topiaries encourage gardeners to express themselves and get creative. And while spheres and spirals are traditional, in today’s changing society unique topiary forms, such as animal shapes, are gaining popularity too.
Whether you opt for a classic shape or something a bit more wild, placing a topiary by your front door is sure to be a conversation starter with your neighbors. Their upkeep will encourage you to be more involved with your garden space too.
The next five plants are our top favorite topiary species to grow, which we’ve selected based on their ability to thrive in containers or garden beds and their simple care requirements.
21. Boxwood
When most people think about topiaries, they think of boxwoods. These classic topiary evergreen shrubs are easy-care and their dense foliage lends itself well to more intricate topiary shapes.
Native to Europe and Asia, boxwoods adapt well to a range of soils and lighting conditions and come in both dwarf and full-sized varieties, which grow well over 8’ tall. Well-suited for spheres and spiral shapes, boxwoods work well in more elaborate arrangements too.
Try framing your door with a pair of boxwood topiaries for a gorgeous look.
22. Cypress
Cypress are coniferous plants that can be grown as either trees or shrubs. Relatively easy to care for, cypress hails from moist habitats and prefers consistently moist, but not soggy, soil. Additionally, these natives of North America can struggle in colder climates and so are best suited for more temperate regions.
Able to tolerate a range of lighting conditions, from full sun to partial shade, cypress topiaries should be started young. When trained properly, your cypress bush will look absolutely stunning in classic spiral and sphere shapes.
23. Wilson’s honeysuckle
Also known as box honeysuckle, this flowering evergreen is famed for its arching branches and bright foliage. A fast-growing plant, Wilson’s honeysuckle spreads horizontally and is frequently used in mazes. As a topiary plant, this specimen is ideal for simple shapes as its rapid growth habit will overwhelm more intricate designs.
Able to thrive in a range of conditions, including coastal areas, Wilson’s honeysuckle tends to do better in temperate climates and may not grow well in particularly cold regions. Simply pot up your topiary in well-drained soil and place it outdoors – any space, from part shade to full sun will do.
24. Japanese holly
Also known as cloud trees, Japanese hollies are slow-growing plants that are known for their dense foliage and mounding growth habit that works well for complex topiary designs.
A broadleaf evergreen, Japanese hollies look markedly different from other topiary specimens, which usually have needles. Instead, Japanese holly’s glossy leaves and slow growth make it the perfect choice for unique and delicate topiary arrangements.
A relatively small plant, Japanese hollies rarely grow taller than 6’ and grow best in consistently moist soil and partial shade to full sun.
25. Arborvitae
Like boxwood, arborvitae are very popular topiary plants, valued for their vertical growth habit and aromatic foliage. Native to North America and Asia, there are several different species of arborvitae and they all have different care requirements so it’s important to know which type you have.
Some species of arborvitae are known for their drought tolerance, while others are fast growers. No matter which type you choose, these plants work well for a wide range of topiary designs, including classic spirals and more intricate animal shapes.
Accentuate porches with hanging planters
One of the best ways to draw attention to your front porch is to add some planters. Whether they’re hanging from your porch roof or balanced over railings, trailing foliage will catch the eye and draw it in to your porch and to your front door beyond.
Any long, trailing plant will work well in hanging planters; however, to maximize impact, look for plants with colorful foliage or bright flowers. Vining plants can add a certain softness to your landscape design and their impact is only increased when a gentle breeze stirs their branches.
26. Boston fern
Whether you have a modern home or a traditional house in the country with a sweeping front porch, you can’t go wrong with Boston ferns. These versatile plants work well in planters, but they really shine in hanging baskets, where their long foliage can be allowed to drape naturally.
Adapting well to indirect sun to partial shade, Boston ferns, like other fern varieties, need consistently moist (but not soggy) soil, so be sure to water them frequently and deeply.
Beyond that, just provide them with an occasional feeding of a good, diluted liquid fertilizer and you’ll have lush plants that can’t help but dazzle.
27. Fuchsia
If you’re not a fan of color, stay away from brilliant fuchsia! These unique-looking plants feature bold pink and purple flowers that are a big hit with hummingbirds.
When planted in a hanging basket, fuchsia’s blooms cascade in a very charming manner. Just keep these beauties out of hot, afternoon sun to prevent wilting and scorching.
28. Petunias
Petunias come in a range of colors, including purple, white and red, so you’re sure to find one to complement your home’s color schemes.
Easy to care for, these happy plants descend gracefully from hanging baskets, but they work in in-ground plantings and pots too. Just provide them with lots of moisture (water them up to twice a day in hot weather!) and full sun and they’ll bloom from spring to fall.
29. Geranium
Classic geraniums look like summer and their leaves have a distinct smell that, for many of us, brings back memories of childhood.
With flowers coming in pinks, reds, purples and whites, geraniums offer a nice color boost in hanging baskets, but they work in gardens and pots too.
And there’s an added benefit to keeping geraniums. If you love sitting out on your porch at night, adding geraniums will help keep pests, like mosquitos, away. Mosquitos hate geraniums!
30. Burro’s tail
An unusual choice, but a fun one, burro’s tail is a type of succulent and is known for its long, draping tendrils of leaves that look like they are woven together. If you like oddball plants, or you want to add something a bit different to your entryway, burro’s tail is the choice for you!
A native of Mexico, burro’s tail loves heat, so this is a particularly great plant if you live in a hot, arid climate. However, if you don’t live in a desert region, try to shield your plant from rain, as this succulent only needs to be watered once a month or less.
Frame doorways with climbing plants
Climbing plants are a great solution if your home has an interesting architectural feature that you’d like to highlight, such as your front door, a picture window or a front porch.
Climbing plants can be encouraged to climb naturally over railings and mailboxes or they can be trained to grow up trellising for added interest. Many climbing plants also feature bright flowers, which can be used to complement your home’s color schemes or attract pollinators for more garden activity.
31. Clematis
Clematis are some of the most popular flowering vines available and their flowers come in purple, white, red, blue, pink and bi-color. When they go to seed, expect to see odd pompoms of silvery seed heads that are even more interesting!
For vertical interest along walkways or patios, try potting up your clematis in a pot at least 15” diameter and adding a small trellis or teepee of bamboo poles. This easy arrangement can be relocated throughout your front yard as desired for a stunning impact.
32. Wisteria
Wisteria’s cascades of purple flowers are iconic, but they come in pink, blue and white too. Frequently blooming from April to June, wisteria sometimes offers a late season bloom towards the end of the summer too.
Wisteria are relatively large plants (growing up to 30’ tall!), so make sure you have enough space for them. If you like the idea of adding a climbing plant to your walkway arch, wisteria is one of the best plants for the job.
33. Climbing roses
Another great option for walkway arches or trellising, climbing roses lend a feeling of abundance and femininity to any home and look particularly nice in cottage gardens.
With their sweet, floral scent and colorful blooms, it’s hard to go wrong with climbing roses. To soften the appearance of your entryway, or just to lend a classic touch, try training your roses to climb on a trellis near your front door.
34. Sweet peas
Many climbing vines are perennial plants that come back year after year. But if you’re looking for an annual climber try out some sweet peas.
Unlike some other vining plants, sweet peas are delicate climbers and won’t damage masonry with their roots, nor do they require heavy trellising to support them. If you want to encourage sweet peas to climb, try tying some string from porch railings or trellising systems and let your peas do the work.
35. Jasmine
If you love fragrant flowers, add some climbing jasmine near your front walkway and your home will smell like the tropics.
A favorite among pollinators, jasmine has delicate flowers that range in color from pink and yellow to white. If you live in a cold region, this heat-loving beauty might not be the best choice, though. Most jasmine varieties are only hardy to zone 9.
Use foliage plants for drama
If you love putting together seasonal planter boxes and container gardens, some of the best plants for adding lots of color and impact are actually foliage plants. While flowering plants usually only keep their colorful blooms for a few days, or weeks at most, foliage plants will keep their color all season long.
And for houseplant lovers, all of these plants can be brought indoors to add to your houseplant collection when temperatures drop in autumn!
36. Coleus
A member of the mint family, coleus is an Australian native that is known for its bright, bi-colored leaves that come in many colors, including purple, orange and yellow. A common sight in window boxes and container gardens, coleus looks great in hanging baskets too.
Coleus is only hardy to zone 11, so grow it is as an annual or bring it indoors during the winter. Preferring bright light, coleus does best with consistently moist, but not soggy, soil.
37. Crotons
Like coleus, crotons are another Australian native that is very often used in container beds. In the wild, however, crotons can grow over 10’ tall, so if you live in a tropical area, try planting some colorful crotons near your front door for maximum impact.
Well adapted to a range of lighting conditions, from full sun to partial shade, there are over 100 varieties of crotons, so explore your options before purchasing.
Some crotons have broad flat leaves, while others have thin, twisted foliage. Some have splashes of colors, while others have big, boldly patterned leaves. Whatever your taste, there is a croton variety for you.
38. Caladium
Caladiums hail from South and Central America and have more delicate leaves than crotons. If you prefer an airy feel to your arrangements and plantings, try out some caladiums for a change.
While not cold hardy, caladiums grow from bulbs, which can be dug up and overwintered indoors if you live in a cold area. If you have a shady front yard or want to place a container garden under a covered porch, shade-loving caladiums are a great choice. Just provide them with moist, not soggy, soil and they’ll grow happily.
39. Begonias
Frequently grown as houseplants, begonias double as excellent outdoor plants too. And while most people think of their precious pink and white flowers, many begonias boast wildly colorful and patterned leaves too that look unique in outdoor plantings.
For a good place to start, try out the colorful leaves of rex begonia or the patterned leaves of polka-dot begonia. These adaptable plants prefer partial shade and are only hardy to zone 9. Below that, grow begonias as annuals or overwinter them indoors.
40. Elephant ear
If you want to lend a tropical feel to your front yard, plant some elephant ears. While crotons and caladiums are great for planters, elephant ears are massive and are best-suited for in-ground planting. Their giant leaves, alone, can grow over 2’ across, while the entire plant will easily reach 6’ tall or more!
Native to Australia and the Pacific Islands, these tropical plants grow from tubers that should be overwintered indoors in cold regions. Preferring consistent moisture and filtered light, avoid hot bright sun to prevent leaf burn.
Create drama with a specimen tree
If you really want to draw attention to your entryway, go big. Specimen trees are trees that are planted singly and are chosen for their interesting growth habit, color or other unique feature. Some of the best options if you want to maximize the impact of your landscaping, specimen trees can also be used to hide aspects of your home that you’re not a big fan of, such as an unsightly A/C unit.
While specimen trees are often planted on their own, they can be incorporated into front beds and walkways too. Dwarf trees are particularly useful for this.
Below, we’ve selected just a few specimen trees that we happen to like a lot, but there are many other great options. Just looks for trees with vibrant flowers or leaves or intriguing shapes. Some specimen trees can be pruned into bonsais, while others can be planted for their seasonal blooms.
Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with your selection.
41. Dwarf weeping cherry
Dwarf weeping cherries are beautiful trees. With long cascading branches and oodles of pretty pink blossoms, they give you something to look forward to in spring. They are some of the first plants to bloom, after all!
While dwarf varieties max out around 15’ tall, if you want something taller, opt for a full-sized weeping cherry tree, which can grow up to 25’ tall.
42. Japanese maple
Japanese maples grow up to 25’ tall, but they are available in dwarf options too, which look particularly stunning when worked into existing garden bed designs. Just keep in mind these gorgeous plants are only hardy to zone 5.
Known for their vibrant red foliage that keeps its color from spring to fall, in autumn expect an explosion of color as these already colorful trees get even more vibrant.
43. Smoke bush
Smoke bush is known for its unusual pink blooms whose frothy appearance is said to resemble smoke.
A relative of the common sumac, this deciduous beauty can grow up to 15’ and prefers full sun and dry soil. If you have poor soil, smoke bush is a great choice as it can adapt to low-fertility conditions.
44. Magnolia
There are hundreds of varieties of magnolias, ranging from petite 15’ trees to 80’ tall behemoths.
Prized for their large blooms that come in pink, purple, yellow and white, some varieties of magnolia are winter hardy and are suitable for northern climates. That said, most varieties of magnolias do best in more temperate areas.
45. Weeping larch
Weeping larches are unique looking deciduous conifers with trailing and irregular branches. In your front yard, they are sure to be a conversation piece, as their unusual form can’t help but draw attention.
Growing around 10 to 12’ tall, weeping larches do best in light shade to full sun.
Grow edibles and cut grocery costs
When selecting plants to add interest to your entryway, you may not initially think about herbs. They are, after all, relatively small plants that don’t offer flowers or anything, right? Not exactly.
A lot of the herb plants you see at grocery stores and plant nurseries are immature; however, many herbs can grow quite large as they age and will produce a surprising amount of beautiful blooms too.
Beyond that, flowering herbs are some of the best plants for drawing in pollinators. They are also usually quite fragrant and some of them have striking leaf colors and patterns that thrill in window boxes and in-ground planting.
We’ve selected just five edible plants and herbs that work well in landscaping, but any herb will do.
For more impact, trying planting a bunch of herbs together or create an edible flower bed by your front door. The flowers will add a nice pop of color, but you’ll also be able to cut your grocery bill a bit with homegrown produce!
46. Sage
Sage is actually quite a large plant and will grow up to 3’ tall in a short period of time. With leaves that come in either green, purple or variegated coloration and sweet purple flowers, this common plant is a real stunner in the garden.
A native of the Mediterranean, sage prefers dry conditions, so take care not to overwater it and water only once every week or two. While great in containers, sage really shines with in-ground planting, where more space allows it to develop fully.
47. Lavender
Another Mediterranean native, lavender prefers lots of bright sun and minimal watering. There are over 450 different varieties of lavender – some with short growth habits and others that can grow several feet tall, with pretty purple flowers on long straight stalks.
A pollinator favorite, lavender is a great choice if you want to add a subtle fragrance to your front steps. It’s a nice surprise when stepping out in the morning!
48. Shiso
Shiso, also known as the beefsteak plant, is a member of the mint family and is frequently used in Japanese cuisine. While edible, shiso is a lovely plant too.
Coming in green and dark purple varieties, purple shiso is an interesting plant to add to containers and garden beds. In fact, it’s rich, dark hue will likely have your neighbor’s scratching their heads, wondering what that unusual plant is.
49. Bachelor buttons
Bachelor buttons are vibrant blue flowers that can accentuate your home décor and attract pollinators too. But did you know they are edible? They are!
Bachelor buttons make great salad toppers, garnishes and dessert additions, but they really come into their own when planted in neat clusters along your front sidewalk.
50. Chives
While you may think of chives as condiments for your baked potato, they are actually quite pretty plants too. When fully mature, chives will produce bright pink or purple ball-shaped flowers that look like springtime.
Between their bulbous flowers and their spiky leaves, chives are quite architectural little plants and can be used to add structure to your landscape design.
What makes a good entryway plant?
Tips on how to pick the perfect plants
- Consider your home’s aesthetic when selecting plants for your front door or walkway.
- Choose plants that accentuate your home’s color scheme.
- Select flower colors that complement or coordinate with your home’s siding, door color, and shutter tone.
- Opt for plants with interesting shapes.
- Create arrangements with different colors, heights, and textures for added interest.
- Use entryway plants to highlight attractive features or divert attention from undesirable aspects of your home.
- For example, hang baskets from the roof to draw attention to a front porch.
- Design planting arrangements to conceal unsightly elements like an electricity box.
- Select plants that thrive in your area and are easy to maintain.
- Avoid plants ill-suited to your growing region to prevent browning, withering, or stunted growth.
How to select the right plants
When choosing the best plants to draw attention to your home, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions before you get started. These questions will help you determine your goals for your space and what sorts of plants will work best for your entryway:
· Do you prefer annuals or perennials?
While you can certainly combine both in a single planting arrangement, you may not want to. Maybe you prefer the simplicity of knowing that perennials will come back year after year. Or, instead, maybe you like the freedom to change up your garden annually, or even seasonally, making annuals a better choice for your space.
· How much time do you want to spend tending your plants?
Some plants, like petunias, are very easy-going and don’t require a lot of work, which can be great if you have a busy schedule. However, if you love working in the garden and getting your hands dirty, maybe you would prefer a higher maintenance plant, like a topiary.
· Are you allowed to permanently alter your outdoor space?
If you rent, or live in an HOA, maybe not. In this case, window boxes and container gardeners are your best bet.
· Do you want a single statement plant or do you prefer lots of smaller ornamental flowers? Do your tastes trend more towards the “modern” or the “classic?”
A single flowering specimen tree can be used to draw attention to your home’s unique architectural features, while beds full of thousands of delicate blooms can lend a cozy, traditional feel to your home.
Different planting arrangements can be used to highlight or conceal certain elements of your home or can help accentuate your home’s modern or classic style.
· Beyond beauty, do you want your entryway arrangements to perform other functions?
Certain plants are great for cut flower arrangements while others excel at drawing in pollinators, which can add more interest to your front door space. You can even try growing culinary herbs or edible flowers to offset your grocery bill!
· What growing conditions will you be able to provide your new plants with?
If you’re intending to grow your plants under a covered patio or porch, you may want to look for plants that can tolerate shade. On the other hand, if you want to decorate your sunny front walkway, look for plants that love lots of hot sun.
Similarly, think about your growing zone. Before purchasing any perennials or larger shrubs and trees, make sure they are suitable to your location and can handle any temperature extremes or harsh winter storms that may be expected.
These questions are a good starting point, but they are by no means the only things you’ll want to consider before you start planting. Think about your home’s color scheme, the height of your windows, the size of plants and what containers they’ll fit in and so on.
Sometimes it can help to look through pictures online, study the color wheel to inspire planting arrangements or browse through some home and garden magazines. Once you’ve decided what your goals are and what sort of plants you’re interested in, you’re ready to start getting specific with plant species, colors and arranging.
Basics of container planting
If you’re interested in planting a single specimen plant, or you’re aiming to do some in-ground planting around front walkways, feel free to skip this section. If, however, you want to start a container garden to accentuate your front door space, we’ll cover some basic tips on creating your first container garden arrangement here.
Before you plant your container garden, you’ll need to have a general idea of what plants you want to plant and what size pots they’ll need to grow happily. So, be sure to read up on particular plant needs to determine container size.
Generally speaking, many container arrangements consist of three elements:
- Thriller plants, as the name implies, are the showstoppers. They are the plants with the bold colors, tall shapes or unique forms that really catch the eye. Calla lilies or bee balm are great examples of thriller plants.
- Filler plants are usually lower growing plants with widely spread growth habits that help to fill in your container space and cover up bare soil. A great filler plant is one that complements, rather than competes with, your thriller flower, so look for complementary colors and shapes when making your selection. Snapdragons or foliage plants, like coleus and croton, make excellent filler specimens.
- And then there are spiller plants, which often offer vining or trailing growth habits that spill over container edges adding more dimension to your arrangements. Alyssum, nasturtiums and fuchsia all make interesting spiller choices.
Once you’ve selected your thriller, filler and spiller, research their planting needs and make sure they’ll grow well together. You wouldn’t want to plant sage, with its minimal watering demands, with water-loving zinnias, for instance.
Finally, you’ll also want to consider the container itself. Plants require adequate space to grow and proper drainage to prevent root rot. For this reason, you’ll want to look for containers with drainage holes or, if they have a solid bottom, drill some holes yourself with a hand drill.
Conclusion
Whether you’re working with vibrant annuals or larger specimen trees, utilizing plants in your design is an easy way to add interest to the front of your home. Plants can add a boost of color, conceal an unsightly utility box or draw your eye upwards to highlight a turret, a sweeping porch or a sweet little balcony.
There are so many choices when it comes to selecting the right plants for the job too. The best way to narrow down your options is to get clear on what your goals are for your landscaping, what the growing conditions are in your area and how much time you want to devote to gardening. There is a plant for all interests and purposes.
So, if you’re just beginning to landscape your front door space or you’re looking to swap out an existing bed, try out some container plantings, hang a basket or two, mount a trellis on your wall or dig a new in-ground bed. The plants we’ve covered here today are sure to spice up your front entrance, add beauty to your home and have your neighbors wondering how they can keep up with your gorgeous new landscaping.
Leave a Reply