Planting Plans for Two Approaches to an Entryway Makeover

Plant IDs for Two Approaches to an Entryway Makeover

In “Two Approaches to an Entryway Makeover” (Fine Gardening, Fall 2026), two designers with very different projects explain how they took an awkward, unsightly home entrance and turned it into something spectacular. In Washington state, landscape designer Robin Parsons added architectural hardscape elements and textured shade plants to complement the home’s front door off the courtyard driveway.

Across the country in Pennsylvania, landscape designer Heather Tuckman restructured the area in front of her home and added dense bedding plants to solve structural problems and make the entryway to the house more accessible. Take a look below to discover some of the standout selections that comprise the plant palettes of these two entryway gardens.

A Front Entry Upgrade That Adds Drama and Definition | Robin Parsons; Medina, Washington

Containers overflow with lush foliage and colorful flowers

1. ‘Lemon-Lime’ heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica* ‘Lemon-Lime’, Zones 6-9)
2. ‘Coraljade’ sedum (Sedum ‘Coraljade’, Zones 3–9)
3. ‘Sun King’ aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’, Zones 3–9)
4. ‘Quicksilver’ hebe (Veronica pimeleoides ‘Quicksilver’, Zones 7b–10)
5. Sombrero^® Salsa red coneflower (Echinacea ‘Balsomsed’, Zones 4–9)
6. Variegated English ivy (Hedera helix* ‘Variegata’, Zones 4–11)
7. ‘Elizabeth Red Foliage’ rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth Red Foliage’, Zones 6–9)
8. Golden full moon maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’, Zones 5–9)
9. Golden hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica ‘Aurea’, Zones 7–10)
10. Frostkiss^® series hellebore (Helleborus × iburgensis cv., Zones 5–8)
11. ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia (Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’, Zones 7-9)
12. ‘Unique’ rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Unique’, Zones 6–9)
13. Thick-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron pachysanthum, Zones 6–9)

Bold and fine textures contrast to draw attention to the front door

1. Witch hazel (Hamamelis cv., Zones 4–9)
2. ‘Coraljade’ sedum (Sedum ‘Coraljade’, Zones 3–9)
3. ‘Glacier Blue’ euphorbia (Euphorbia characias ‘Glacier Blue’, Zones 7–10)
4. Golden hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica ‘Aurea’, Zones 7–10)
5. Keystone Kopper^® coleus (Coleus scutellarioides ‘UF09-8-87’, Zones 10–11)
6. ‘Lemon-Lime’ heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica* ‘Lemon-Lime’, Zones 6–9)
7. Blutopia^® bacopa (Sutera cordata ‘PAS430727’, Zones 9b–11)
8. ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’ fuchsia (Fuchsia triphylla ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’, Zones 9–11)
9. ‘Brunette’ bugbane (Actaea simplex ‘Brunette’, Zones 3–8)
10. Tiny Tuff Stuff ^™ mountain hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata ‘MAKD’, Zones 4–9)
11. ‘Unryu’ camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Unryu’, Zones 7–9)
12. ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia (Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’, Zones 7–9)
13. Tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum, Zones 5–8)
14. ‘Spider’s Web’ Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’, Zones 7–10)

Watch Now: Robin Parsons Tour of a Mid-Century Entryway Makeover

An Entrance That Announces Itself with Added Curb Appeal | Heather Tuckman; Southeastern Pennsylvania

This pathway goes from transitional to transformative with dazzling edging plants

1. ‘Red Rooster’ Buchanan’s sedge (Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’, Zones 7–9)
2. Corsican stonecrop (Sedum dasyphyllum, Zones 5–9)
3. ‘Night Embers’ sedum (Sedum ‘Night Embers’, Zones 3–9)
4. Wheels of Wonder^® Limoncello ice plant (Delosperma ‘Wow312’, Zones 6–9)
5. Dwarf Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’, Zones 4–9)
6. ‘Amazon Mist’ sedge (Carex comans ‘Amazon Mist’, Zones 6–9)
7. ‘Cotswold Queen’ mullein (Verbascum ‘Cotswold Queen’, Zones 5–9)
8. Woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus, Zones 5–8)
9. ‘Amazon Mist’ sedge (Carex comans ‘Amazon Mist’, Zones 6–9)

Trees, shrubs, perennials, and container plants all work together to roll out the front carpet toward the front entrance

1. Full moon maple (Acer shirasawanum cv., Zones 5–9)
2. Bird’s nest spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’, Zones 3–7)
3. Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis, Zones 4–8)
4. ‘Dazzleberry’ sedum (Sedum ‘Dazzleberry’, Zones 4–9)
5. ‘Party Time Lime’ coleus (Coleus scutellarioides ‘Party Time Lime’, Zones 10–11)
6. ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’, Zones 5–8)
7. Legend of the Small^® bottlebrush (Fothergilla × intermedia ‘NCFI1’, Zones 5–9)
8. Little Henry^® Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica ‘Sprich’, Zones 5–9)
9. Fragrant sweet box (Sarcococca ruscifolia, Zones 7–9)
10. ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’, Zones 5–8)
11. False shamrock (Oxalis triangularis, Zones 8–11)
12. Seersucker sedge (Carex plantaginea, Zones 4–8)
13. Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia, Zones 9–11)
14. Twisted eastern white pine (Pinus strobus ‘Torulosa’, Zones 3–8)
15. ‘Curly Tops’ threadleaf chamaecyparis (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Curly Tops’, Zones 4–8)
16. ‘Winter Gem’ boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica ‘Winter Gem’, Zones 5–9)
17. ‘Center Glow’ ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Center Glow’, Zones 3–7)

*The following plants may be considered invasive in some areas. Please check with your state or province’s regulations.

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