Some people call it curb appeal, for you it is a great welcome home. View and print a larger version of this design.

You mow the lawn on Saturdays. You pull or kill the occasional weed. You pick up any runaway trash that blows on your property after “garbage day,” and you rake the leaves in fall (usually). Overall, you’d say you have a well-kept front yard.

But is it beautiful?

They’re just two little words, but they speak volumes: curb appeal. Real estate agents are especially attentive to this term, as well as what it means for their clients. And rightfully so, because “curb appeal” is at the top of the list when it comes to what homebuyers look for in a landscape.

Lush lawns are nice, but they can’t do it all. Even though you have the greenest grass on the block, if all your front yard has is a manicured lawn, a nice tree and some ordinary shrubs, you’re really not doing your landscape – or your property value – many favors.

Although you and your family don’t spend as much time in the front yard as you do in the back, remember, the front of your house has great garden potential, too! And if that’s not enough to get you planting, consider this: How your yard is viewed from the street is also a reflection on you and your tastes.

Think about it: When you take a walk around your neighborhood, you can’t help but notice what other homeowners have done to their property. You smile at a humorous gnome statue. (“That’s funny,” you think. “I wonder if they have gnomes in the back yard, too?”) You admire a gorgeous flowering shrub. (“That would look beautiful by the porch – what kind of plant is that?”) And you gasp at an overgrown lawn being attacked by weeds. (“Someone needs a lawn mower...or the name of a good service!”)

What does your front yard say about you? Do a couple of boring shrubs, an ordinary grass-lined walkway and one lonely container plant on the concrete stoop send the right message? Imagine welcoming your guests with some striking accent plants, flowering groundcovers and seasonal color! An inviting, well-designed front foundation planting is better than any store-bought “welcome” mat tossed on the porch. Best of all, this type of garden doesn’t need to be big and flashy to look like a million bucks. Even the smallest of front yards can have big impact.

Try placing some coarse-foliage plants next to fine-foliage species to create some added interest. And don’t be afraid to add a little color! (A few complementary hues work well, or try a single-color garden to create a more sophisticated look.) Just follow the plan and select the plants that you like that meet the appropriate function and properly match your site conditions (shade-tolerant plants for shady areas, etc.). Subtle lighting effects can complete your landscape and give it a completely new welcoming personality after the sun sets.

Let this inviting – and inspiring – design for a beautiful front foundation landscape help you create a welcoming garden that matches your personality and tastes! Even if you don’t have a large area to work with, this simple design can be modified to fit your needs and still bring the same incredible result: a beautiful front yard with great curb appeal. (Even better, it’ll make your strolling neighbors think, “Wow! I wish we had a garden like that!”)

Remember, when you shop for plants, pick the ones you like that match the functions identified on the plan!