Landscaping Side Of House

If you’re looking to improve your home’s curb appeal and create a more enjoyable outdoor area, don’t overlook the landscaping side of house. This often-forgotten space holds huge potential for adding beauty, function, and even value to your property. With some thoughtful planning, you can turn a narrow or awkward strip into a real highlight.

Let’s look at how to assess your space, choose the right plants, and incorporate hardscaping features. We’ll cover solutions for common problems like poor drainage, shade, and privacy. You’ll get practical steps you can follow, no matter your budget or experience level.

This area, sometimes called a side yard, is unique. It’s usually a corridor between your house and the property line. It might be sunny or deeply shaded, damp or dry. The first step is understanding what you’re working with before you buy a single plant.

Assessing Your Side Yard Conditions

Grab a notebook and spend some time observing. This will save you money and frustration later.

Sunlight: How many hours of direct sun does the area get? Morning sun is less intense than afternoon sun. Full shade means less than 2 hours of direct light.
Soil: Is the soil sandy and fast-draining, or heavy clay that holds water? You can do a simple test by squeezing a damp handful. If it forms a tight ball, it’s clay. If it falls apart, it’s sandy.
Drainage: Watch what happens after a rain. Does water pool against the foundation? This is critical to fix for your home’s health.
Access: Do you need a clear path for trash cans, utilities, or simply moving from front to back? Keep this route at least 3 feet wide.
Utilities: Always call 811 before you dig to have underground lines marked. It’s free and prevents dangerous accidents.

Design Ideas for Different Goals

What do you want from this space? Your goal will guide every other choice.

Creating a Lush Garden Passage

For a beautiful, green walkway, layering is key. Start with a clean, defined path using mulch, gravel, or stepping stones. Then, plant in layers.

Back Layer (Against the House): Use taller, upright plants like ornamental grasses, tall ferns (for shade), or slim shrubs like arborvitae.
Middle Layer: Add medium-height plants for texture. Think hostas, heucheras, or daylilies for sun.
Front Layer: Use low-growing groundcovers or cascading plants to soften the path’s edge. Creeping thyme or ajuga work well.

Solving a Narrow or Dark Corridor

Dark, tight spaces can feel claustrophobic. The trick is to create a sense of width and light.

Paint a fence or house wall a light color to reflect avalable light.
Choose plants with variegated foliage (green and white or yellow) or bright chartreuse leaves to “glow” in the shade.
Use a single, consistent path material in a linear pattern to draw the eye along, making the space feel longer and wider.
Add a mirror on a fence (in a safe, decorative frame) to create an illusion of depth. It’s a surprising trick that really works.

Building a Functional Utility Space

If you need this area for practical uses, organization is everything. You can still make it look nice.

Define zones. Have a clear path down the middle.
Use vertical storage on fences or walls for tools, hoses, and bins.
Screen unsightly items like AC units or trash cans with lattice panels and climbing vines or a simple trellis.
Choose durable surfaces like pavers or crushed stone that can handle foot traffic and wheeled bins.

Plant Selection: The Right Plant for the Right Place

This is the most important rule in gardening. A plant that matches your conditions will thrive with less work.

For Sunny, Dry Sides

These areas get baked. Drought-tolerant plants are your best friends.

Perennials: Sedum, Russian sage, lavender, salvia, coreopsis.
Ornamental Grasses: Blue fescue, fountain grass, switchgrass.
Shrubs: Dwarf butterfly bush, potentilla, juniper.

For Shady, Damp Sides

Common on the north side of houses, these spots are cool and moist.

Perennials: Hostas, astilbe, ferns, bleeding heart, hellebores.
Groundcovers: Pachysandra, sweet woodruff, lilyturf.
Shrubs: Hydrangeas (especially oakleaf), azaleas, dwarf rhododendron.

Essential Hardscaping Elements

Hardscaping refers to the non-living parts of your landscape. They provide structure and reduce maintenance.

Paths and Walkways

A path keeps feet clean and protects plant roots. Materials include:

Mulch: Inexpensive and easy to install, but needs yearly topping up.
Gravel: Drains well and looks neat. Use edging to keep it contained.
Stepping Stones: Set in gravel or moss for a natural look.
Pavers or Flagstone: More permanent and expensive, but very durable and attractive.

Drainage Solutions

Protecting your foundation is non-negotiable. The ground should slope away from your house at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet.

Regrade soil if needed, adding topsoil to create the proper slope.
Install a gravel trench or French drain along the foundation to channel water away.
Use a rain barrel at a downspout to catch water for use in your garden.
Choose permeable paving materials like gravel that allow water to soak in.

Vertical Interest

Walls and fences are blank canvases. Use them to add depth.

Trellises: Support climbing plants like clematis, jasmine, or climbing roses.
Wall Planters: Perfect for herbs, succulents, or annual flowers in tight spaces.
Artwork: Weather-resistant metal or wooden art adds personality.

Step-by-Step Project Plan

Ready to start? Here’s a basic plan to follow.

Plan & Design: Sketch your space. Mark down sunlight, utilities, and downspouts. Decide on your main goal.
Clear the Area: Remove weeds, debris, and any unwanted plants. You might need to rent a tiller for compacted soil, but be careful of roots.
Address Drainage & Soil: Fix any grading issues first. Then, amend your soil based on your plant choices. Adding compost is almost always a good idea.
Install Hardscaping: Put in paths, edging, or any structures before planting. This prevents you from damaging new plants.
Plant: Start with the largest plants (trees/shrubs), then move to perennials, and finish with groundcover. Water everything thoroughly after planting.
Mulch: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to supress weeds and retain moisture. Keep mulch a few inches away from the house foundation and plant stems.

Low-Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Success

You want a garden you can enjoy, not just work in constantly.

Use a thick layer of mulch to dramatically cut down on weeding.
Install a drip irrigation system on a timer. It waters deeply and efficiently, saving you time and water.
Choose mostly perennial plants that come back every year, rather than annuals you need to replant.
Group plants with similar water and sun needs together. This makes care much simpler.
Edge the border between your path and planting bed. A clean edge makes everything look tidy, even when it’s a bit wild.

FAQ

What are some cheap ideas for landscaping the side of a house?
Use free mulch from community programs, divide plants from friends, and use seeds or small “plugs” instead of large pots. Gravel is an affordable path option. DIY projects like a simple trellis from bamboo canes also save money.

How do you landscape a side yard with no grass?
Embrace it! A grassless side yard is often lower maintenance. Create a clear path and use groundcovers, mulch, or shade-tolerant plants like hostas and ferns to cover the soil. It can become a beautiful green passage without any lawn to mow.

What are good plants for a narrow side yard?
Choose columnar or upright plants that won’t sprawl into the path. Good choices include: Sky Pencil holly, columnar arborvitae, tall ornamental grasses like ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass, and climbing vines trained on a trellis to grow up, not out.

How can I make my side yard more private?
Add height with lattice panels, tall slim trees (like Italian cypress), or a vertical garden. A water feature like a small fountain can also provide sound privacy from neighbors. Layering plants in depth will also create a denser screen.

Is it okay to put gravel next to house?
Yes, gravel is an excellent choice as it drains well and doesn’t hold moisture against the foundation. Just ensure you have a proper slope away from the house first. Use a landscape fabric underneath to prevent weeds from growing up through the gravel, but know it won’t stop all of them forever.

Working on the landscaping side of house is a rewarding project. It connects the front and back of your property and adds so much character. By starting with a good assesment, choosing suitable plants, and incorporating smart hardscaping, you’ll create a space that looks great and works for your needs. Remember, gardening is an process, so don’t worry if it’s not perfect in the first year. The most important step is simply to begin.