Symmetry characterizes Colonial and compound - style abode design , which carries over into landscaping detail , especially at the front of the menage . Of particular prominence in the home design is the front door , with both architectural and landscape elements calling tending to and lead up to this formal home entrance , which is often flanked by magniloquent , sturdy column .
Front Yard Trees
heavy trees , place toward the sides of the front cubic yard , are on scale with stately Colonial - style place and impart an ambiance of enduringness and permanence . Trees commonly used in Colonial home plate front landscapes include :
Front Landscape Shrubs
Front landscape gardening of Colonial homes isminimalistin pattern and plant selection , with fearless , low - upkeep shrub providing the guts of the landscape painting . The symmetrical aim feature clip hedge and geometric patterns . Container - growntopiariesoften flank the front doorway .
Front Entrance Walkway
A walkway from the street to the front doorway should be made of brick or natural stone , such as sett , in keeping with construction materials available during Colonial day . A trim hedge ofboxwood(Buxusspp . hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 depend on type ) can line the walk or render a boundary around the front yard . Although box needs minimal care , keeping aformal hedgerequires cut back it annually . Boxwood diverseness have different USDA zona ; the the ' Green Mountain ' cultivar of common boxwood ( Buxus sempervirens ' Green Mountain ' ) is brave inUSDA zone 6 through 8 .
Warning
Check your location ’s building codes or city computer code , or with your homeowner ' association , for any landscape painting or hardscape regulation before you make changes .
Foundation Plantings
Colonial homes did not havefoundation plantingsuntil the Victorian geological era . Clipped boxwood hedges are sometimes used with modern Colonial - style homes to soften the architectural feature film while remain in keeping with commonly used landscape painting elements .
Modifications for Personal Appeal
Allow your personality to come through in your landscape pattern . That advice is supported by David Marciniak , alandscape designerbased in Virginia whose tips are in a Landscaping internet internet site article . Use swerve lines for walkways , instead of stern , square walkways . weigh mod dealings flow by making a sweeping , semicircular drive in the front thousand ; the driveway will asseverate proportion of pattern and provide contrivance for visitant .
Although historic homes featured various backyard gardens and simple , spare front landscape painting , you’re able to create a soft , friendly approach to your home and still keep the essence of Colonial authenticity : Combine traditional shrub with flowering shrubs or perennials for a more colorful palette , and leave shrubbery not nip or rationalise so it keeps its natural form .
