This article covers the following areas –
- Benefits of Having a Welcoming House Entrance
- #1 Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
- #2 Lavender (Lavandula)
- #3 Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana)
- #4 Geraniums (Pelargonium)
- #5 Boxwood (Buxus)
- In Conclusion
As I walk up to my house after a long tiring day, there’s nothing more satisfying than being greeted by a warm, welcoming entrance. And what better way to create that inviting atmosphere than with beautiful plants? Therefore, in this article, I’ll share with you five amazing plants that can make your house’s entrance more welcoming.
Sweet Alyssum, Lavender, Pansies, Geraniums, and Boxwood are the best choice among hundreds of plants, as they can add color, fragrance, and structure to your doorway to create a more welcoming atmosphere.
Now, first of all, let’s find out the benefits of having a welcoming doorway. Then we’ll explore the above-mentioned plants in more detail, learn how to grow them, and also some creative decoration ideas to make the most of these lovely plants.
Benefits of Having a Welcoming House Entrance
Creating a welcoming entrance with plants not only enhances the visual appeal of your home but also offers a host of other benefits that contribute to a comfortable, peaceful, and harmonious environment.
1) Enhanced Visual Appeal
A well-designed entrance with plants creates a vibrant, colorful, and visually appealing space that makes your home more inviting. The variety in texture, size, and color of plants can create a dynamic and interesting entrance, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
2) Pleasant Fragrance
Fragrant plants like Lavender and Sweet Alyssum introduce delightful scents to your entrance, creating a soothing and welcoming atmosphere. These pleasant fragrances can positively impact the mood of both you and your guests as they enter your home.
3) Improved Air Quality
Plants act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. By incorporating plants in your entrance, you contribute to a healthier living environment, improving the air quality around your home for you and your guests.
4) Reduced Stress
Research has shown that being surrounded by nature reduces stress and promotes relaxation and well-being. An entrance filled with plants can create a calming and peaceful space, allowing you and your guests to feel at ease as soon as they arrive.
5) Connection to Nature
Creating a welcoming entrance with plants helps you establish a connection with nature, which can have numerous positive effects on your mental health and overall well-being. This connection can foster a sense of peace, tranquility, and mindfulness.
6) Softened Hardscapes
Plants can effectively balance and soften the appearance of hardscape elements like concrete, brick, and stone. Integrating plants into your entrance design can make the space feel more inviting, harmonious, and visually appealing.
7) Increased Privacy and Noise Reduction
By strategically placing plants or hedges around your entrance, you can create a sense of privacy and reduce noise from the street. This makes your entrance more comfortable, peaceful, and secluded, further enhancing the welcoming atmosphere.
By incorporating plants into your entrance design, you can create a welcoming, attractive, and calming space that offers numerous benefits, enriching the overall experience for both you and your guests.
#1 Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet Alyssum is a delightful little plant with tiny, fragrant flowers. They come in white, pink, or purple and create a lovely carpet of blooms in spring and summer. This low-growing plant is perfect for borders, containers, or as ground cover.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Flower Colors | White, Pink, Purple |
| Bloom Time | Spring, Summer |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun, Light Shade |
| Maintenance | Easy |
| Main Features | Fragrant, tiny flowers; low-growing; good for borders |
How to Grow Sweet Alyssum?
- Choose a spot with full sun or light shade.
- Use well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
- Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Space plants 6-10 inches apart.
- Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
- Fertilize once a month with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
Entrance Decoration Ideas with Sweet Alyssum
- Plant Sweet Alyssum along the edges of your walkway to create a fragrant, colorful border.
- Use small containers or hanging baskets filled with Sweet Alyssum and place them on either side of your doorway for a welcoming touch.
- Create a whimsical, fairy-tale-inspired entrance by combining Sweet Alyssum with small garden figurines or decorative rocks.
#2 Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is a classic and versatile plant with a lovely scent and beautiful flowers. The flowers can be blue, purple, or white and bloom in the summer. Lavender is an excellent choice for an entrance, as it adds both fragrance and beauty to the space. Plus, it’s drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Flower Colors | Blue, Purple, White |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Moderate |
| Main Features | Fragrant, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant; classic plant |
How to Grow Lavender?
- Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
- Plant Lavender in the spring or fall, spacing them 1-3 feet apart.
- Water once or twice a week, depending on the weather.
- Prune the plant in the spring to maintain its shape and promote healthy growth.
Entrance Decoration Ideas with Lavender
- Plant Lavender in decorative pots or containers and arrange them on either side of your entrance for a symmetrical, elegant look.
- Create a mini Lavender garden by planting several varieties with different flower colors and heights. Add a rustic wooden bench or a small bistro table and chairs to complete the scene.
- Make a fragrant wreath using fresh Lavender sprigs and hang it on your front door for a charming, welcoming touch.
#3 Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana)
Pansies are cheerful, colorful flowers that come in a wide range of hues. Some are even two-toned, which adds an extra touch of interest. Pansies bloom in the spring and fall, adding a vibrant pop of color to your entrance.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Flower Colors | Various, often two-toned |
| Bloom Time | Spring, Fall |
| Light Requirements | Partial Sun |
| Maintenance | Easy |
| Main Features | Cheerful, colorful flowers; adds a vibrant pop of color |
How to Grow Pansies?
- Plant Pansy seeds or transplants in the spring or fall.
- Choose a spot with partial sun.
- Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer.
Entrance Decoration Ideas with Pansies
- Plant Pansies in a variety of colors in a large, shallow container or window box and place it near your doorway for an eye-catching display.
- Arrange Pansies in a pattern or a monogram on a vertical garden or a living wall near your entrance.
- Use Pansies to create a colorful, living doormat by planting them in a rectangular container or garden bed situated right in front of your door.
#4 Geraniums (Pelargonium)
Geraniums are classic entrance plants with bright, bold flowers that come in red, pink, purple, or white. They bloom from spring to fall, making them a great choice for adding color and charm to your entrance for an extended period. Geraniums thrive in pots or in the ground and are easy to grow and maintain.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Flower Colors | Red, Pink, Purple, White |
| Bloom Time | Spring to Fall |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Easy |
| Main Features | Bright, bold flowers; great for pots and containers |
How to Grow Geraniums?
- Plant Geraniums in the spring.
- Choose a spot with full sun.
- Water when the soil is dry, usually once or twice a week.
- Fertilize every month with a balanced fertilizer.
Entrance Decoration Ideas with Geraniums
- Plant Geraniums in matching pots or containers and place them on either side of your entrance for a classic, symmetrical look.
- Use a repurposed ladder or a tiered plant stand to display multiple Geranium-filled pots near your entrance for a cascading, colorful effect.
- Hang Geraniums in decorative baskets near your doorway or along your porch for a cozy, cottage-inspired entrance.
#5 Boxwood (Buxus)
Boxwood is an elegant, evergreen plant with small, glossy leaves that stay green all year round. It’s perfect for adding structure to an entrance and can be shaped into hedges, topiaries, or even more intricate designs. Boxwood is also low-maintenance and easy to care for.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Leaf Color | Green (evergreen) |
| Bloom Time | N/A |
| Light Requirements | Partial to Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Main Features | Glossy leaves; versatile for hedges or topiaries; structured |
How to Grow Boxwood?
- Plant Boxwood in the spring or fall.
- Choose a spot with partial to full sun.
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells.
- Prune to maintain the desired shape and promote healthy growth.
EntranceDecoration Ideas with Boxwood
- Create a formal, stately entrance by planting Boxwood in a symmetrical pattern on either side of your doorway. Trim them into neat hedges or topiaries for added elegance.
- Use Boxwood to frame a garden path leading to your entrance, creating a grand, welcoming walkway.
- Combine Boxwood with flowering plants, like roses or lavender, to create a stunning, low-maintenance garden bed near your entrance.
In Conclusion
These five plants can make your house’s entrance more welcoming, adding color, fragrance, and structure. Not only are they easy to grow and maintain, but they also offer endless decoration possibilities.
Try incorporating one or more of these plants into your entrance and experiment with creative decoration ideas to create a unique, inviting space that you’ll be proud to call home. Happy gardening!
