A driveway may be utilitarian, but it doesn't have to be ugly. Here are 13 driveway landscape ideas to make yours more appealing.
13 Creative Driveway Landscaping Ideas
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Pretty yet Practical
When considering driveway landscape ideas, also think about the conditions. In the North, for instance, is there a place to shovel or blow snow? And, no matter where you live, you’ll want to address drainage issues. In this case, the landscape includes plants and mulch on the high ground and a swath of river rock on the low ground where it serves as a dry creek bed to direct rainwater.
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Circular Driveway
When space permits their use, circular driveways not only add a touch of class, they also serve a practical purpose, eliminating the need to back up. In this case, a statue is surrounded by a formally sheared boxwood hedge, which also keeps vehicles from getting too close. Fill the interior with an easygoing groundcover, such as creeping euonymous or periwinkle, and you’ve got an attractive focal point.
Also, add an extra element of beauty with these driveway gate ideas!
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Planting Pockets
Although it may be tempting to landscape the entire expanse of your driveway, another driveway landscape idea is to create a planting pocket. It can be any size or shape, so long as it’s got enough rooting space for your chosen plants. Consider the mature size of the plant, though. In this case, the homeowner has chosen a dwarf blue spruce which won’t outgrow its bounds. The bed itself is edged to keep grass roots from migrating into the bed and causing extra maintenance. If you want some inspiration to help you liven up your home entrance, then these entryway plants will get the job done.
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Grand Entrance
If you want guests to know where to park, you can earmark the driveway with matching trees lit up by landscape lighting for extra drama. Note the trees have been pruned to make them more architecturally interesting and to avoid blocking the view when vehicles are backing up. This is a good example of a smart driveway landscape idea.
Plants aren’t the only thing that can improve a driveway’s looks. Repave your driveway for instant enhanced curb appeal.
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Curbstone Setting
Colorful cottage garden flowers are a delight. But how sad it would be to see them inadvertently knocked over by a careless driver. A curb helps keep that from happening—and also keeps soil and mulch in place in case of rain.
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Tuck-Under Garage
A slope and a tuck-under garage pose an aesthetic challenge that’s easily solved with smart driveway landscaping ideas like this. Tall arborvitaes help tone down the house’s height. A large group to the right is balanced by a smaller clump of arborvitaes and cascading Japanese maple to the left. Now imagine the setting without the tall evergreens—the house would seem out of scale with the rest of the landscape.
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Going to Pot
Placing large containers in strategic locations is another driveway landscape idea. The key is to put them where they won’t interfere with vehicles—and to use containers that are large enough to see easily. Small pots would look fussy—and they’d be hard to see—but these larger pots work just fine. Notice how the color and shape of the containers is repeated to streamline the design.
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A Smart Approach
Landscaping is great, but you still need a place to park the cars. Note how the landscaping here is limited to the right side—in front of the house where it’s best appreciated—while the left side is gravel so extra vehicles can park without blocking the garage.
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Annual Appeal
Bedding plants are valuable when it comes to implementing driveway landscape ideas. They look good in batches, so you can plant a nice expanse of color that pops from the street—or from your front window. These marigolds and dusty miller plants are an example of mass appeal. Plus, next year you can switch up the game plan and go with different colors and different plants.
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Rock, but no Roll
Another way to keep cars from rolling into your gardens is to use rocks in your driveway landscape. Rocks can be practical and ornamental at the same time, especially when paired with attractive plants such as these evergreens. Using a mulch of the same material unifies the look of the bed.
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Country Garden
A driveway landscape should match the style of the rest of the landscape. This gravel driveway is adorned by mounds of lavender for a country garden look that matches the architectural style of the house. Here are 15 landscaping tips for all house styles.
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Formal Attire
On the opposite end of the spectrum is this formal driveway, which includes low, sheared hedges and topiary shrubs. It may look like a lot of work, but with a slow-growing hedge such as boxwood and store-bought topiary shrubs (available at independent garden centers), it’s not much work at all. Here are 25 tips for planning the perfect garden.
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Important Steps
When dealing with a slope, steps may come into play. Rather than mucking them up with plants, leave them open and accessible, then plant the landscape to the opposite side as seen here with the dwarf blue spruce and heather.
Want more options? Check out 11 sparkling shrubs for today’s yards.
FAQ
What are some design principles for driveway landscaping?
Joe Raboine, vice president of design at outdoor living solutions provider Oldcastle APG, shares some overarching design principles for driveway landscaping. “Driveways are a significant part of curb appeal, so you want to ensure you have attractive landscaping that complements the overall shape and style,” he says. “Design around the size and shape of the driveway so it feels cohesive and organic. If your driveway has any curves, you can consider using mulch or soil to add colorful plants or greenery that flows around the lines. Straight driveways may benefit from paver edgers to bring more complexity and interest to the design.”
What landscaping materials work best for edging a driveway?
The landscaping materials you choose for edging your driveway will vary based on preference and budget. Raboine shares, “If you are looking for a cost-effective option, plantings are an easy way to add a border or edge to the driveway on a smaller budget. If you have more wiggle room, opt for paver edgers to add more dimension.”
What are some tips for planning for year-round seasonal appeal?
When it comes to year-round seasonal appeal, Raboine says, “Research your climate zone to find out what plants will thrive, and consider using perennials to eliminate the need for re-planting. Any mulch or soil should also get refreshed for both plant health and aesthetic purposes.”
He also adds, “Routine maintenance on the driveway itself is also important to keep the material fresh and clean. If you have a paver driveway, make sure you are sweeping away dirt and debris routinely, and make sure you do not use any de-icing agents in the winter that can damage paver finishes.”
How can I make my driveway look more attractive on a budget?
“A good cleaning can instantly make your driveway look better,” offers Raboine. “Also, consider patching any cracks in concrete or asphalt driveways. Depending on how much budget you have, you can consider sealing your driveway, depending on the timeline since it was last sealed.”
What are some low-maintenance landscaping options for driveways?
Some low-maintenance landscaping options for driveways include native plants that can survive without much attention. Raboine also suggests succulents. “If you live in a climate where succulents can thrive, these plants can be an attractive and low-maintenance option for adding plant life to your driveway,” he says. Hardscaping is the most low-maintenance option, however, adding visual appeal but virtually no upkeep other than keeping it clean and possibly sealed.
About the expert
Joe Raboine is the vice president of design at outdoor living solutions provider Oldcastle APG and has more than 30 years of experience in the outdoor living industry. Raboine began as a masonry and outdoor living contractor in 1992 and founded Harmony Outdoor Living in 2008, when he began manufacturing modular outdoor elements. His innovations in modular fireplaces and kitchens led to the company’s acquisition by Oldcastle APG in 2013. With a robust collection of premium outdoor brands and thorough design support, Oldcastle APG helps homeowners create the outdoor oases of their dreams.
