Position in Relation to the Cardinal Directions

The position of our garden in relation to the cardinal directions largely determines which plants we can plant there. However, we should make sure there are not too many of them and that their care does not require us to spend all our time there.

North

With little sunlight in such a location, it is best to plant ornamental grasses, hostas, funkias and heucheras. To brighten up the space in front of the house, the beds between the plants can be covered with light-coloured stone. A lawn with a wavy edge, placed along the sides of the plot, goes very well with such an arrangement. If we want to spare ourselves mowing, the grass can be replaced with periwinkle or ground elder.

South

On the sunny side, that is, facing south, species such as lavender, catmint and large-flowered or climbing roses feel best. In this case, it is worth having a lawn across all the space not covered with paving stones, while flowers can grow in the middle or form beds along the edges of the lawn.

East

The eastern side is quite a good place for planting most flower species. However, more sensitive plants are at risk of frost damage because of cold winds and earlier bud development. The suitability of many plants for a particular location can be checked by reading their descriptions in online gardening shops such as PodkarpackieSady.pl.

West

A western exposure is the most favourable for many species. A site sheltered from eastern and northern winds is ideal for wisteria and trumpet vine. Lavender will also grow very well there, as will even park roses and climbing roses.

A Large Open Space or a Small Enclosed One?

It is much easier to arrange a small space. A large one requires more thought, especially if it is also open to the garden.

To enclose a space, it is not necessary to build a gate; something resembling a passage made of plants can be created instead. A properly trained jasmine shrub or a beautiful spreading tree, such as a catalpa, maple or walnut, looks very attractive here.

A large space in front of the house should be arranged so that its maintenance is not time-consuming. This will save us the dubious pleasure of spending time there, away from the family part of the garden. The simplest solution is to plant spreading trees, such as magnolias, Judas trees or catalpas, on both sides of the driveway, and sow the small square with slow-growing grass or cover it with stone.

The garden in front of the house entrance does not have to be arranged sparingly, but its maintenance should not take too much time. Nor should its style differ too much from the other part of the garden. It is also important to select plants that will look good against the front of the house and from the perspective of the entrance.

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