This is what my front yard looks like today. Nice, eh? Well, actually there’s a giant pile of concrete out there now because they are done jack-hammering. (Luckily I didn’t actually have to go out there because my contractor Pete emailed me the pic from his truck since he knew I’d want it!) Needless to say, now that my front yard is completely torn apart to install French drains, new front steps and a walkway, and to be regraded, I really have to pull together a garden plan. If you recall, I gathered some inspiration photos last year, but now it’s time to actually make some decisions, and considering there is snow on the ground at the moment, focusing my energy on flowers today is quite refreshing. This is certainly not a formal plan, but here’s the direction I’m going to create a cottage garden in our front yard with the goal of adding a little privacy and having blooms from early spring through late fall.

I planted (and have moved several times) a lilac bush about five years ago. It has never really taken off, but putting it in my front side yard should give it the sun it needs to finally grow big.

We’ll also be able to re-use the appleblossom roses that I planted late last fall along the front of the yard. Murphy’s Law of course required us to dig them out, but fingers crossed they make it through the snow in the pots we put them in, and if they do then they will either go into the new expanded beds on the front of the house or along the new side fence.

I also bought a white ball hydrangea last year that will go in the front gardens. I don’t know if it’s this exact variety, the Incrediball, but it’s very similar.

I also planted a limelight hydrangea last year in my front side yard. And there is a dogwood tree along with a few sea grasses along our property line.

We have hopefully salvaged two of our three azaleas to go back into the front gardens as well.

Now for the new stuff! Here are some of the things I plan on planting above and beyond what we’re transplanting. Astilbe has a feathery flower that is great for accenting arrangements.

Lady’s Mantle is a great filler for arrangements.

I’m hoping that the front yard gets enough sun to include some lavender.

And I really want to get some allium into the garden as well.

On a larger scale, I’d like to include a Rose of Sharon.

And I’m hoping a butterfly bush will draw some fluttering.

A little forsythia is always one of the earliest bloomers so I definitely want some of that!

And while we wanted to install a fence along the front, I think we’ll keep it to just the side yard and do an English boxwood hedge along the front. I love this look, and it will create a nice barrier from the road.

I’ll need to do some filling in with annuals and in the fall I’ll plant loads of tulip and daffodil bulbs, but I think this will be a good start! Did I miss any of your favorites that you think I should consider?

Images: Pete Downing, White Flower Farm, Chateau & Bungalow, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, White Flower Farm, Monrovia