B&A Frostad
By: Garden Gate staff
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Bright and easy-care!
Native plants have tons of color without the maintenance — perfect for the front yard! They might have a wild-looking reputation but choose the right combinations and you’ll get an eye-catching, easy-care entry planting.
To see how natives transformed this front yard, click and drag the left side of the photo. Then keep clicking to find more helpful tips for a colorful front garden that fits the style of your home.
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Colorful curb appeal
Start with a favorite plant, such as spike blazing star (Liatris spicata), and combine it with a few of your favorite colors. Here, cherry red and pink blooms repeat in neat masses.
Because this planting is directly in front of the house, keeping some of the plant heights low is important. It looks more welcoming that way — it’s easier for visitors to see the front door.
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Native benefits
Natives are generally lower maintenance because they’ve adapted to local growing conditions. And each region has its own specialized plant palette. To find the best natives for your area, check with your local extension agency or the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — this Web site has a state-by-state recommended species list to get you started.
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Don’t forget annuals
To keep color going, nothing beats annuals for their long bloom time. So leave a few spots where you can tuck in a few, such as the impatiens (Impatiens hybrids) here. Even in a sun garden, impatiens do well in the shade cast by the taller plants right behind them.
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