10 Plants That Can Turn Any Front Yard Into a Veritable Oasis

More and more households prefer to have their front yards paved rather than turning them into beautiful gardens. Yet, in many western cities, gardens constitute 1/3 of the total urban area. A beautiful garden next to your house can make you happier, make your house appear more inviting, and can even increase the value of your property by up to 20%. Because what can be more beautiful than blossoming plants?

We at Bright Side invite you to explore the world of beautiful plants that can make your garden a livelier place. Look through this list to find out which plant to buy next and plan your visit to your closest garden center. Read until the end to find out about one of the most beautiful blooming parks in the world.

1. Vanilla strawberry hydrangea

This plant became a real garden favorite due to its astonishing ombre blooms. The flower colors turn from white to bright pink and last for about 4 weeks. The bush blossoms from spring until late fall and can reach a height of 7 ft (2 m) and a width of 5 ft (1.5 m). The plant loves the sun and requires regular watering during its blossoming period.

2. Rhododendron tree

This astonishing tree in the picture above is over 100 years old, but even much younger trees can look as impressive. When planted properly, they require little maintenance. They grow best when positioned out of direct sunlight and in an area that is protected from the wind. If everything goes well, you will enjoy abundant flowers every year.

3. Forsythia

The blossoming of this bright yellow plant signifies the arrival of spring and it can start blooming at the end of February. It's a fast-growing and easy plant that can withstand temperatures as low as -20°F. It also doesn't require any special soil and can function well in even partially shaded areas.

4. Guelder rose

The guelder rose, or viburnum opollus, cheers gardens up in both late spring with its huge clusters of white flowers, and in the fall with its red berries and red leaves. It likes the sun, can be planted in any soil, is mostly resistant to the wind, and can tolerate low temperatures.

5. Nanking cherry

The Nanking cherry is a dense shrub that tastes as good as it looks. The plant can endure severe winters and its pinkish-white flower blossoms cover all the stems. The flowers then produce cherries, which taste sweet, tart, and tangy all at the same time.

6. Smoke bush

The smoke bush is remarkable not only because of its colorful leaves but also because the fuzzy purple or pink flowers that cover it look like a cloud of smoke in mid-summer. The intensity of the color depends on the soil it grows in. The bush can tolerate low temperatures and there are different types of the plant available in various colors, sizes, and blooming timeframes.

7. Otto Luyken

This shrub is ideal for small gardens with its small glossy leaves, delicate appearance, and fragrant spikes of flowers appearing in spring. It can tolerate being in the sun for long periods of time, but it can also be planted in the shade. When needed, it can be trimmed and turned into a hedge.

8. Syringa (Lilac Bush)

Lilac bush comes in many varieties which makes it easy for everyone to find the best one for their garden and enjoy its flowers into late spring. Just make sure that your plant doesn't grow too tall and always prune it on time. Depending on the variety, the color of the flowers can vary from white, bright pink, blue, or violet.

9. Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle plants not only decorate your garden but also produce berries that, although bitter, are very rich in vitamins. It is an easy-to-grow plant with fragrant flowers. There are two varieties: the climbing variety and the shrub variety which is ideal for hedging.

10. Magnolia

Although the magnolia is often seen as a southern plant, there are different varieties that can tolerate a more northern climate, as well. Its cheerful big blooms will brighten up your early spring. You could also go for a more bushy variety that can even be shaped into a handsome hedge. All varieties, when blossoming, are heavily loaded with flowers.

Bonus

Keukenhof is a beautiful park in the Netherlands, where you can enjoy blooming plants and flowers, get inspired, and buy unique flower bulbs for your garden. Annually, from the end of March until mid-May, it opens its doors to showcase 32 hectares of flowers with more than 800 varieties of tulips among them. Who knows, maybe you can recreate a mini-Keukenhof in your front yard.

Which plants impressed you the most and made it to your shopping list for the next planting season? Do you have any additions to this list? Share your opinions, impressions, and gardening experiences in the comments!