Front Garden Ideas: Enjoy a Garden and a Driveway

As we are a landscaping company, it comes with the territory that we appreciate wildlife and plants of all kinds. So we can understand when people worry about wanting to install a driveway and lose their front garden. This can be prevented if you have a good plan in place, resulting in you having the best of both worlds. Even before your house comes into view, visitors will see your front garden and a neat exterior always creates a warm welcome. No matter how big or small your front garden may be, we have some helpful advice to ensure you can still have an incredible front garden as well as a place to park.

Design plans

• Choose plants that flower in every season. By doing this means you have something new to welcome you and your visitors with when you arrive home
• Plant tall foliage to add some colour, privacy and a great place for insects. Just make sure the plants you choose don't block your front windows
• If you're looking to hide your dustbins, then screen them with shrubs or trellising
• Window boxes are always a good idea. They're great for adding a splash of colour at any time of the year
• Waist high hedges mean you get the most light streaming through your windows
• Climbers help brighten plain walls and provide support for rambling or climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckle
• Grouping plant pots and containers can add a nice touch to a paved garden

Combining plants and parking

Depending on the type of property you have can result in different plans:

Terraced Home Owners

• Flower pots and planters can create a beautiful focal point away from your vehicle and help brighten up a hidden corner
• An elegant topiary bay or olive tree positioned either side of the front door will help frame the entrance and guide visitors
• You can always think about covering some of the ground with a permeable membrane and a layer of gravel to prevent weeds and keep it tidy. Cut a hole in the membrane to plant bushes, flowers and ground cover, such as a creeping juniper, which can spill across the gravel

Semi-Detached Home Owners

• Most semi-detached homes have a front garden as well as space for two cars, however, if there is no space for a lawn, you could consider using eco-friendly paving solutions, such as brick weave paving
• Around the edges of the front garden, use gravel or slate chippings, which are great for planting into and keeping weeds suppressed. The main driveway could be laid with long-lasting brick which can blend in seamlessly
• Hedges help provide a boundary as well as offering shelter for wildlife
• Small trees mingled with bushes and low-level planting help attract birds, can shield a window from glare if positioned carefully and create natural privacy from neighbours

Detached Home Owners

• Use tall plants to shield parts of the garden, hide a car from the house or create a secluded area for you to enjoy the sun
• Take pictures of your front garden from inside your house. This will help you position trees and bushes
• A sweeping driveway in block paving with soft verges will give a natural finish

We hope these tips will help you plan your perfect driveway. If you would like further advice, feel free to contact us on 01603 360548.