Simple Perimeter Landscaping Ideas

A well-defined landscape border, or perimeter landscaping, can significantly enhance a yard's overall appearance and make outdoor spaces feel more intentional.

With the right combination of plants, materials, and layout choices, homeowners can enhance the edges of their property with simple updates that don't require extensive upkeep.

What is Perimeter Landscaping?

Perimeter landscaping is a type of landscaping that helps support a home's foundation from a variety of types of damage, including weather-related wear and tear and grass overgrowth. It typically involves installing edging, walkways, and plants around the home and along the fence line. This helps outline the property and create optimal curb appeal. In many cases, homeowners can create a DIY landscape plan to improve the perimeter of their home.

Basic Principles of Perimeter Landscaping

A successful perimeter landscape is built on a few key principles that balance appearance, function, and long-term durability. When applied thoughtfully, these elements create a cohesive design that enhances the home without adding unnecessary maintenance.

Foundation Protection

Landscaping around the home should support proper drainage and airflow. To do so, it's important to avoid placing plants too close to the foundation and ensure soil and mulch are graded to direct water away from the home. This strategy helps prevent moisture issues while allowing plants enough space to grow.

Proper Scale and Proportion

The size of your garden beds (and the plants they house) should match the scale of your home. Wider flower beds often work better for larger homes, while small yards benefit from more compact, streamlined designs. Keeping proportions balanced ensures the landscape complements the architecture rather than competes with it.

Defined Edging and Borders

Clean, well-defined edges create a clear separation between lawn and planting areas. Materials like stone, metal, or concrete edging help maintain structure over time while giving the landscape a polished, finished appearance.

Layering for Depth

Foundation planting involves layering plants by height. This technique helps add dimension and softens hard lines along the foundation while maintaining an organized layout. Adding perennials or flowering shrubs can create pops of color.

Thoughtful Spacing and Simplicity

Allowing adequate space between plants prevents overcrowding and reduces the need for frequent pruning. Keeping plant selections simple and cohesive makes the landscape easier to maintain and helps the overall design feel more unified.

Key Considerations

Before you implement your garden design, consider the following factors:

• Yard size: Measure the planting areas to determine how many and which types of plants you'd like to include.
• Sun exposure: Monitor your yard at different times during the day to see which areas have the most and least sun exposure and plant accordingly.
• Soil quality: Look at the soil around your home. Consider where you'd like to add mulch, pavers for a walkway, or additional plants.
• Maintenance level: Consider budget and time when creating your landscape design. While additional plants may mean less mowing, you'll still need to water and prune frequently.

Perimeter Landscaping Ideas

Define Edges with Borders

Use pavers, stones, or metal elements to create and define the edges around your landscape design. Edging can help create a weed barrier while also protecting the house's foundation.

Use Low-maintenance Plants

Choosing plants and materials that require minimal upkeep supports a more sustainable landscape. A variety of shrubs, ornamental grasses, and native plants can create consistent spacing for a structured look. Layering the plants (e.g., planting the highest ones in the back first) adds depth.

Add Mulch or Ground Cover

Mulch, wood chips, and ground cover can help create healthy growing spaces for your plants. You can use landscape fabric to reduce weeds and improve moisture retention. Choose creeping plants, such as greenery or ivy, to create a woodsy, natural look.

Incorporate Walkways or Gravel

For a larger space, consider installing a walkway using stepping stones, river rocks, or pea gravel. To improve curb appeal, you can also add small potted plants, a water fountain, or a small tree at the end of the pathway. These elements add function and visual interest to a perimeter landscape.

Install Lighting Along Edges

Solar path lights along the edges and/or walkway can add safety and ambiance. For larger plants or focal points, larger landscape lighting increases visibility around a nighttime focal point.

Tips for a Low-maintenance Perimeter Landscape

Quick tips to maintain your perimeter landscaping include:

• Select native plants and drought-tolerant annuals and layers to create texture and variety.
• Lay down mulch to reduce grass and weed overgrowth.
• Space your plants out to reduce landscape maintenance time.
• Install hardscape elements, such as a walkway or a rock garden.
• Add a focal point, such as a water fountain or a bird bath.

Perimeter Landscaping FAQs

What are the best plants for landscaping around the house perimeter?

Adding colorful flowers and plants around your home can add to your property value. Common plants to add around the front yard include:

• Evergreen shrubs, such as boxwood or juniper
• Hydrangeas
• Hostas
• Day lilies
• Globe arborvitae
• Switch grass

These plants typically require a mixture of sun and shade with regular watering. Before planting, consider which parts of your house receive the most sunlight and shade. Then, plant accordingly to ensure they get the resources they need to grow.

How wide should landscaping be around a house?

It's typically recommended to add plants in groups about three to five feet wide to allow layering, optimal growth, and easy maintenance.

How do seasonal changes affect home foundations?

Seasonal changes (e.g., inclement weather, temperature shifts, and precipitation) can affect a home's foundation in the following ways:

• Rain can increase moisture and pressure around the house, often resulting in cracks or leaks.
• When soil dries out, as during hot summer days, it can shrink, often causing the foundation to sink or crack.

Proper perimeter landscaping can help reduce these problems.