Have you grown weary of the all-too-common Juniper-and-Yew combination that flanks your front door? Wouldn’t it be nice to create a setting that says “Welcome” in a charming, personal way? That task is challenging if you have a front yard that gets only a few hours of sun during the day. Inspired by the natural beauty of a woodland garden, this design offers a tapestry of variegated foliage, contrasting textures, and cheerful shade-loving flowers.
The blooms begin in midspring and continue through early fall, with an ever-changing display throughout the season. Consider planting several attractive, shade-tolerant evergreen shrubs near your front door as the backdrop for your garden: a large-leaf white or pink Rhododendron, a compact spreading Yew, and a couple of Inkberry Holly shrubs (Ilex glabra). An unusual variegated shrub, the elegant Sambucas Marginata; serves as a small tree in this plan. Before planting, work lots of organic material into your soil; woodland plants thrive in a fertile, moderately moist environment. Once established, this entry garden will greet your visitors with style.
Helpful Hints
- Eliminating or substituting for the Chelone oblique will make this garden a Zone 4 collection.
- Add shade-tolerant trees and shrubs to your entrance garden
to create an attractive backdrop for this shady perennial border. - If you desire a shady entrance garden, plant sun-loving trees
and shrubs that will create a canopy of shade for your entrance. - Shade perennials often require a much more moist and fertile soil than do sunny borders. Digging in plenty of organic compost and layering with mulch will help retain moisture and fertility.
a. Achemilla ‘Selection
b. Anemone sylvetris
c. Aquilegia ‘Dove’
d. Aquilegia ‘Robin’
e. Astilbe ‘Bridal Veli’
f. Astilbe ‘Hennie Graafland’
g. Astilbe ‘Rhineland’
h. Astilbe ‘Sprite’
i. Chelone oblique
j. Deschampsia ‘Tautrager’
k. Dicentra spectabilis
l. Gallium odoratum
m. Geranium sang. var. striatum
n. Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’
o. Hosta ‘Flavocircinalis’
p. Hosta ‘francee’
q. Hosta ‘Golden’ tiara’
r. Lamium ‘Pink Pewter’
s. Polemonium ‘Heavenly Habit’
33 Garden Designs for your home:
Shady Oasis
Gaining Ground
Front Door Entrance Design
Coastal Perennial Garden Design
White Flower Garden Design
Grass Garden Design
Pastel Flower Garden Design
Rose & Perennial Garden Design
Bright Colorful Garden Design
Perennial Corner Garden Design
Butterfly Hummingbird Design
Silver & Blue Garden Design
Bog Garden Design
Pink Flowers Garden Design
All Year Flower Garden Design
Privacy Matter
Woodland Border
Hosta Shade Garden Design
Rock Garden Design
Cold Hardy Perennial Garden Design
English Garden Border Garden Design
Driveway Sidewalk Garden Design
Prairie Garden Design
Flower Garden Design
Entry Shade Garden Design
Hot & Humid Garden Design
Flowering Fiesta
Red White Blue Garden Design
Late Season Garden Design
Southwest Dry Garden Design
Garden for Children
Butterfly Garden Design
Hummingbird Garden Design
Shady Solutions
