Walking down the path to our front door is always an experience; you never know what will catch your eye next—be it a turquoise-colored rock, a dive-bombing butterfly, or a twisted agave. No matter what you’re drawn to during your journey, you have to slow down and take it all in as you walk. The entry garden might be the only outdoor space that people get to see during their visit, so it’s important to make it dynamic—something that they enjoy and never forget, making them want to come back. Selecting plants with special attributes and infusing personal touches into the garden are the keys to designing an entry that will make everyone happy.

It’s important for your garden to make a good first impression. The passage from our driveway to the entrance of our house isn’t a quick trip: There’s a long stone pathway that takes some twists and turns, so it is crucial that visitors enjoy the journey, not be annoyed by it. I chose to flank both sides of the path with continuous, bending borders. This approach avoids abrupt breaks in the scenery, which would stop people from feeling at ease. The dual borders also ensure that travelers down the path, even if it is just my son’s friend on his skateboard, are always surrounded by interesting stuff.

The smooth and flowing lines of the beds and the path add to the comfort level, making sure that everyone has a positive experience (even if it is subconscious) while walking from the driveway to the door. In the entry garden, it’s not about the uniqueness of individual plants as much as it’s about the appeal that’s created when they are grouped together. That said, certain plants do play specific roles in making the garden engaging. I intentionally chose plants that have attractive vertical forms, produce berries for fall and winter interest, and attract wildlife that animate the garden.

Because entry gardens can often be narrow with limited space, vertical plants act like visual exclamation points along the journey, drawing people from one point to the next. I incor­porate irises (Iris spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9), red-hot pokers (Kniphofia spp. and cvs., Zones 5–9), ornamental grasses, and agaves (Agave spp. and cvs., Zones 9–11). These selections add a perpendicular punch to the mix but don’t take up a lot of precious space.

I incorporate perennials and shrubs that produce berries in my entry space because they offer color interest when most flowers have vanished. This seasonality is especially important in our entry garden because people might not wander off in fall or winter to see our other gardens, but they will always see the entry. Berries also provide food sources for birds and other wildlife, which add another level of activity and excitement to the garden. My favorite berried shrub is ‘Winter Gold’ winterberry (Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Gold’, Zones 5–8) because its glowing orange fruit pop against the brown siding of my house. Whatever option you choose, it’s important in an entry garden to be sure that the berries complement yet stand out against the backdrop of your home.

No entry border would be complete without a variety of plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The flurry of activity and interest that these flying wonders add is priceless. I’m partial to hyssops, especially sunset hyssop (Agastache rupestris, Zones 5–9). Although they aren’t showstoppers in terms of color, hyssops are fragrant and attract flying creatures to the garden, which give visitors another way to experience the space. Hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies are constantly floating about in our garden, delighting our visitors and my kids.

It takes visitors more than just a few steps to get to the front door, so it is essential that entryway elements lead them down the path. The archway at the head of the walk signals the start of the journey, while alluring plants and out-of-the-ordinary objects along the way draw people down the path to the home’s entrance.

Inviting arch
It’s important to begin the journey in the right direction, and this unique arbor does the trick. It shows visitors the way to go and suggests that the trip is going to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

Dual borders of interesting plants
Throughout the memorable journey to the front door, people are surrounded on both sides by amazing plants. These gardens ensure that visitors are never bored.

Unique objects
Handmade sculptures, painted pebbles, and mosaic bowling balls (below) indicate that the family is exciting and full of life. Visitors often find themselves looking farther down the path to see if they can spot the next fas­cinating object.