Patch of lawn, concrete sidewalk. Patch of lawn, asphalt driveway. Patch of lawn, concrete sidewalk. If this sounds familiar, that’s probably because you’ve driven through any standard suburban neighborhood across North America. But it doesn’t have to be this way. This past year I was visiting Madison, Wisconsin, and experienced that all-too-familiar malaise of seeing postage-stamp front lawns surrounded by concrete over and over again. That is, until I came to the homes of Jeff Epping and John Mathews.
Both gardeners have abandoned all semblance of “normal” front yards in favor of multifaceted landscapes that create the sort of curb appeal most can only dream about. Using the street-facing postage-stamp space common of suburbia, each of these gardens pushes the limits of what you can do with a reduced footprint. One property has been transformed into a pollinator-friendly gravel garden, while the other morphed into an Asian-inspired, textural wonderland. If you have a curbside patch that you’re looking to overhaul, let these two case studies inspire you—and maybe your entire neighborhood.
This could be any suburban street in North America
When it comes to real estate, the common mantra is: location, location, location. And this was the case for these two homes, situated in charming Midwestern communities. Although the gardeners who purchased these properties loved their address, they knew that a front yard overhaul was going to be essential.
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Who needs a lawn?
The front yard of Jeff Epping (left) evolved into a pollinator paradise, much to the delight of the entire neighborhood. A few streets away, John Mathews transformed his street-side lawn into a shady retreat filled with incredible textures (right). Both lots prove “typical” isn’t nearly as eye-catching as “atypical.”
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Photos, except where noted: Danielle Sherry
