How To Create Doorstep Appeal

Estate agents always talk about doorstep appeal or kerb appeal. Although I totally get it, I have to say, it is a phrase that I find rather annoying, in that the sole reason for creating a welcoming entrance would be for other people. That said, I'm not in the business of selling houses!

However, I do love creating a smart entrance, and nothing does this more effectively than adding planting. The obvious and most copied entrance planting is the planter on either side of the door, containing a lollipop ornamental tree to provide the evergreen pop of colour all year round. This tried-and-tested classic works well where there is room and the door's aspect offers the necessary space and, more importantly, light. A case of right plant, right place!

So in this week's blog post, I'm going to look at a range of ideas for the doorstep, including planting ideas and planters, as well as colour suggestions and fixtures and fittings.

1. Planting

Doorstep planting is dictated by aspect; you really can't force nature, and planting the wrong plant in the wrong place ends up as an expensive mistake. So, here are a few points to consider:

• The direction your door faces
• Is the entrance in full sun, shade or part shade
• Is the area sheltered from the wind
• How much available space is there

Speaking as someone who has tried and failed on multiple occasions to plant Buxus Sempervirens (Common Box) outside our store in the wind tunnel that is Market Street, I can attest that these considerations are worth taking the time to consider. Whatever you plant needs to thrive and become established to create an eye-catching focal point.

Here are some plant suggestions for those tricky spaces:

North Facing Deep Shade

Skimmia Japonica: Japanese Skimmia

This shade-loving evergreen shrub has wonderful red berries after flowering in spring and when mature, it will reach 4ft tall. It can be lightly pruned after flowering. A perfect choice for a container or direct planting.

Taxus Baccatta: Yew

If you're looking to create topiary, Yew will be your friend. Although it requires a greater investment, many garden designers are increasingly turning to Yew to avoid the perils of Box Blight (something I can relate to!). Yew is tolerant of both deep shade and exposed sites, and the rich evergreen foliage will provide a focal point all year round.

Perennials:

A great starting point for a perennial container garden is a fern, there are wide varieties to try, but I particularly like Athyrium Metallicum, which has a pretty silver colour. This will pair well with Aquilegia, Hosta & Hellebores.

South Facing Full Sun:

Full sun can be both a blessing and a curse. The fiery heat can quickly dry out pots, My front door is in full sun, here are a few examples of what has worked well for us:

Viburnum Tinus

Viburnum tinus ' Eve Price' grows anywhere from deep shade to full sun and in any aspect. We have this fabulous shrub either side of our store entrance too, where it tolerates partial shade and exposure to cold winds. It is very robust, evergreen and has beautiful pink & white flowers followed by berries. It can be pruned immediately after flowering. I think it may be one of my favourite plants and we're asked daily in store, what it is!

Olive Trees

Olive trees are the obvious sun-loving trees. I also think they complement stone buildings beautifully, and this is another consideration when selecting planting for entrances. Low maintenance and compatible with container gardening and available in a vast range of sizes to suit all budgets.

Bay Trees

I grow a lot of Bay. I find it extremely easy and fast-growing. It can be clipped into a dense shape and quickly thickens, with rich green foliage that offers a classy, pleasing look. It can be planted around the base to create a really pretty effect. I've listed it here as full sun, but it is also tolerant of partial shade, and I have found it to be very hardy here in East Yorkshire, where it is at the mercy of northerly and easterly winds. It can also be shaped to sit close to a wall, creating a half-round, so to speak. I have used this method to add structure to borders, and it works very well next to an entrance.

Perennials:

For perennials that will tolerate full sun, I have a few firm favourites that I revisit. Anything with silvery foliage is usually a winner, such as Lavender, Stachys Byzantina (Lamb's Ear), and Nepeta (Catmint). Adding some grasses, such as the perennial Pennisetum Fountain or the annual Panicum Sprinkles, adds interest.

2. Choosing Your Planter

Your choice of planter will be influenced by your choice of planting and the positioning of your planters.

First, decide upon material. I am not a fan of plastic, partly for aesthetic reasons and also because it lacks the weight to keep the container from blowing over on a windy day.

Terracotta pots are a lovely choice, but to find ones guaranteed against frost damage, you'll need to spend quite a bit of money. However, I have a couple of larger trees that have become pot-bound, and terracotta is about my only option for size and availability. The colour can be harsh, but if you opt for a mellow tone, this works wonderfully with Olive and other Mediterranean plants and will sit well with a stone building.

I love the classic design of the square wooden box planter; it does require maintenance. But particularly for larger properties, the square commanding style of the traditional wooden planter looks fabulous. Incidentally, the garden designer Bunny Guinness uses these without a base, to allow mature plants to root down into the ground below the container.

And finally metal, inevitably, I have many metal planters, some original Dolly washing tubs, old coppers and tin baths and some reproduction vintage-style metal planters, which come from our own collection. I find these to be hugely versatile: they lend themselves to every type of planting and look particularly elegant either side of a door. Although some metal planters do require a degree of protection through a coating application, metal garden planters are, on the whole, low-maintenance options that offer longevity. I find that, on the whole, most plants thrive in these planters, with the taller washing tub style offering greater depth for good root establishment. View our metal garden planters here

Hanging Baskets

If the room doesn't allow for planters, then another great option is the hanging basket. I'm personally not a fan of the traditional basket filled with bedding plants. Here are a few ideas for hanging basket planting:

Tumbling tomatoes and Nasturtium.

Try Tumbling Tom tomatoes paired with Dayglow or Paintbox Nasturtium, to provide a yummy and colourful display.

Culinary Herb Basket

Use taller herbs in the centre, such as Rosemary or Chive, and plant trailing varieties of Thyme & Oregano around the edges.

Complete the overall look with a decorative Hanging basket bracket. View Our Brackets 

3. Positioning

The classic format is to add a planter on either side of the entrance, and in many situations, this bookending style works beautifully. And where space doesn't extend to a pair, a single well-planted garden planter will provide that focal point.

I love planting a selection of planters with single varieties, then moving the pots to create a different look throughout the season. A method invented by Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter, used on a grand scale at the Arts & Crafts garden, and in a miniature version by me!

4. Door Colour

Paint colours for exterior doors are probably worthy of a blog post all of their own! I'm always guided by the property's period, the surrounding area, and the door's design. The solid timber doors are in keeping with cottage entrances and work beautifully with Estate green colours such as...

Whilst larger Georgian style doors, work well with a rich bold colour such as a Petrol blue, Post box red or Black.

5. Door Furniture

Fixtures and fittings are the finishing touch for the entrance makeover, and although the smart doorbell is taking over from traditional door knockers and bells, these pieces are a lovely way to style your look. Door knockers can be found in a vast array of styles and finishes, and a classic brass knocker for example will sit beautifully against your freshly repainted door. 

Likewise, a polished letter box, while providing a functional purpose, also accentuates the overall look of the door. View our door furniture here

Writing this blog article has spurred me on to finally tackle our back door...I hope I've inspired you too!

Alex x