Choosing the right plants for your entryway requires detailed thought. First impressions say a lot about your home, so you may want a striking, colorful series of flowers that light up the rest of your garden.
Alternatively, you may prefer something more tidy and compact. Whichever option you choose, it’s going to say a lot about you as a householder, and that’s why the decision is so important.
Each suggestion here offers something different, but they could provide an ideal solution as the perfect plant for your front door, especially if you don’t live in a four-season environment and must suffer through the bitter cold! Be sure to check your growing zone before planting any of these to ensure they will survive outside.
1. Tulips
Many gardeners will tell you that tulips are their favorite plant. They are relatively easy to grow and have a wide variety of colors. Tulips have another advantage over their main rival, roses: no thorns lurking beneath these blooms.
Like all flowers, tulips have a finite growing season, but they will keep coming back for a couple of years or so, and the bold, bright shades will certainly make a statement by your front door.
2. Wisteria
Climbers can offer a contrast to the static plants in your front yard. Ivy is one option, but it can be invasive and difficult to control. As a lower-maintenance climber, wisteria is easier to grow and develop, and it provides attractive flowers, as opposed to ivy, which is all about the greenery.
Wisteria prefers a south-facing wall where it basks in the sun for most of the day. Striking lilac and blue petals will be your reward for giving it the right conditions.
3. Lavender
If you want to enjoy a fresh, calming scent as you approach your front door, lavender is a good choice. It’s a hardy plant that blooms for much of the year, and that smell also attracts bees and other pollinators into your garden.
Lavender can thrive in most conditions, so if you live in a dry region, it is equipped to survive. Remember to water occasionally, and the subtle purple flowers will contrast nicely with the greenery of your yard.
4. Begonias
Another plant known for its striking flowers, Begonias will add vivid color in return for little maintenance. They are happy in warm, dry conditions and will continue to bloom with occasional watering.
The deep pink flowers that the begonia plant produces will return yearly. All you need to remember is to deadhead each flower as it dies off, and the blooms will continue to brighten your entryway.
5. Geraniums
You could almost think of geraniums as ivy with flowers. The green leaves are similar to ivy in shape and color, and because they like to trail, this could be an ideal plant for hanging baskets on either side of your front door.
Geraniums also come in many different shades, so you can take time to choose and match them with other plants in your front garden. Geraniums enjoy warm sun and soil with good drainage.
6. Fuchsia
The appeal of the fuschia plant is down to its versatility, making it another option for planting in the ground or in hanging baskets.
The fuchsia is my choice because of the unusual shape of the flowers. The hooded blooms also provide protection for bees, and they will usually appear from early summer through to the later fall months.
7. Busy Lizzies
Also known as Impatiens, Busy Lizzies are a common sight in many front yards. Red and green is a classic combination, and the striking red flowers, backed by deep green leaves make these plants a popular choice for many gardeners.
Busy Lizzies come in other colors, so you can compare and contrast with other plants close to your front door. This is another easy plant to grow from plant or seed.
8. Tomatoes
Growing your own produce is a satisfying hobby and the results are delicious. Many fruits and vegetables thrive outdoors in a sunny spot, so they can also be an ideal choice as a front-door plant.
Tomatoes are a good option for new gardeners as they are simple to grow and can produce bumper crops. Just remember to give them soil that drains well and regular water to boost that crop.
9. Lambs Ear
This plant gets its name from the thick leaves covered in fine hair. The covering has a silvery glow, and that’s why there is a comparison to a lamb’s ear.
Lambs Ear plants provide a nice contrast with other plants. They develop off-white flowers, while the silver-gray of the leaves complements the overall look. The thickness of those leaves also allows them to absorb moisture, so the plant can survive in dry conditions.
10. Roses
It’s only fair to mention roses! OK, so those thorns are an issue, but there are ways to protect yourself and your visitors. When pruning the branches, always wear thick, heavy gloves, and aim to keep the plants away from areas of high traffic.
If you pay attention to those key points, roses can reward you with the most beautiful flowers of any plant. All the colors of nature are here, and these stunning blooms might just be the best front door plant of all.
11. Chili Plants
Chilis will need more heat than most fruits and vegetables so, depending on your climate, make sure they get plenty of sun. Outdoors in hotter weather, these interesting plants are bound to be noticed by visitors to your home.
Chilis are fun and rewarding to grow and they come in so many different varieties. You can even harvest the seeds from store-bought produce and cultivate them from scratch.
12. Yew
If you’re more into greenery and not so interested in flowers, yew is a possible option. These delightful shrubs are ideal for topiary (the art of sculpting plants into interesting shapes).
If the idea of sculpting a shrub sounds too much like hard work, you can buy yew which is already shaped into balls or pyramids. Be aware that it’s highly poisonous, so it’s not suitable if you have pets.
13. Cosmos
Cosmos is another plant to tick many boxes for entryways. It has beautiful blooms and those flowers will help to attract the birds and bees to your yard. They look like wildflowers from a distance, and they are also long-lasting, with the blooms hanging on until the first frost of fall.
This is a plant that likes the sun, so cosmos are ideal for south-facing gardens. West-facing yards should also provide enough sun for this attractive plant to thrive.
14. Banana Tree
Maybe you really want to make a statement to visitors or perhaps you aim to be the most talked-about neighbor on your street. If you have an extrovert’s personality, a banana tree could be the best choice for your front door.
Even if the tree never provides fruit, it will be a stunning structure and a real conversation piece. Keep in mind that this is a tropical plant, so it will need heat and extensive sunlight.