An entry garden, whether simple or
complex, should draw your eye
toward the front door.

Planning

One of the first things to consider when designing an entry garden is how well it matches the architecture of the house. An important consideration throughout the garden, this is vital at the entry. For most homes, an entry garden is the most public garden space. The design of the entry garden sets a mood. A pair of carefully pruned boxwoods in containers flanking the front door speaks of order and formality. A mixed border sets a more relaxed tone.

Because the majority of garden design and activity takes place in the backyard, it is perfectly acceptable to have a formal entry garden to match a traditional house and foundation planting in the front yard and a loose, more informal garden style in the back of the house.

 

Gradual changes in level can
slow a visitor's approach,
allowing more time for
enjoyment of your entry
plantings.

Another consideration is scale. An entry garden offers you the opportunity to create a transition from an open garden or lawn without a ceiling to the more intimate, human scale of the interior of the home. Tricks for doing this include having a walk narrow as it approaches the front door. This tapering of the paving focuses attention on the entry itself. You can still expand the area right around the door so you have ample room to gather as you say your hellos and goodbyes.

You could also use a series of transitional spaces, such as an arbor or a short flight of stairs. This use of a series of spaces or outdoor rooms gradually moves a visitor down in scale from larger exterior spaces to a smaller interior space.