Front Entry Landscaping Ideas for Northbrook Colonials & Glenview

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas Illinois Homeowners Love

1. Start With Structure That Matches the House

For Colonials, structure is everything. Think layered plantings that step down from taller evergreens to mid-height shrubs to low perennials. Use pairs near the door for symmetry, then soften the look with asymmetrical accents as you move outward toward the lawn. Low, neat hedges can define beds without blocking windows. Keep lines crisp, and avoid plantings that crowd the entry or are too tall near walkways.

2. Choose Climate-Ready Plants for Zone 5

Northbrook and Glenview share the realities of Northeast Illinois weather. Freeze-thaw cycles, clay soil, road salt, and deer can complicate plant selection. Choose hardy, salt-tolerant, and often deer-resistant picks for reliable performance. Here are some plant ideas we frequently recommend at Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery because they look great and fit our climate.

• Evergreen anchors: Boxwood cultivars with good winter color, upright yew, compact juniper, Techny arborvitae, and dwarf spruce
• Flowering shrubs: Hydrangea paniculata, smooth hydrangea, viburnum, dwarf lilac, Itea, and aronia for fall color
• Native and hardy shrubs: Serviceberry for spring flowers and berries, red twig dogwood for winter stems
• Perennials for sun: Catmint, salvia, coneflower, black-eyed Susan, daylily, sedum, and ornamental grasses like little bluestem and switchgrass
• Perennials for shade: Hosta, heuchera, astilbe, fern, hellebore, and epimedium for dry shade
• Groundcovers: Pachysandra alternatives like sweet woodruff or low-growing sedge where deer pressure is high
• Bulbs for spring: Daffodils, alliums, and species tulips that naturalize and resist deer

These selections offer color from early spring to late fall, plus winter structure that fits Colonial curb appeal. If deer are a concern on your street, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery can adjust the palette to focus on more resistant species and strategic placement.

3. Design a Walkway That Welcomes

Colonial entries look best when the front walk feels generous and direct. Plan for at least 48 inches wide, and 60 inches if two people will walk side by side. Gentle curves can soften a straight facade, but avoid tight zigzags that feel awkward. Materials should complement your home’s exterior and handle Illinois winters. Consider these options.

• Concrete pavers with a tumbled or textured finish for traction in snow and ice
• Clay brick to echo Colonial masonry and create a classic herringbone pattern
• Natural stone like bluestone or limestone set on a proper base for freeze-thaw stability
• Bordering with a contrasting soldier course for crisp, finished edges

Use subtle patterning or borders near the threshold to create a sense of arrival. Where driveways meet the walkway, add a landing or apron so guests have a clear, safe transition from car to door.

4. Highlight the Entry With Lighting

Thoughtful lighting is a hallmark of quality curb appeal and safety. Use warm white LEDs around 2700K for a soft and inviting look. Combine these fixture types for a finished design.

• Path lights spaced 5 to 7 feet apart to reduce glare and guide the eye
• Downlights mounted discreetly to wash steps and landings for night safety
• Uplights at key evergreens or the front porch columns to create depth and highlight architecture
• Accent lighting on house numbers and the mailbox for easy visibility

Work with a professional to ensure proper shielding that prevents glare into windows. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery designs and installs low-voltage systems that are efficient and easy to maintain through the seasons.

5. Build Foundation Beds That Feel Right-Sized

Foundation plantings should frame your house without hiding it. On Colonials, use layered beds that step down from 4 to 6 feet deep at the corners to 2 to 3 feet near the entry, so you do not overwhelm the door or block windows. Follow this simple formula for a polished look.

1. Corners: Taller evergreens like upright yew or architectural boxwood to anchor the edges
2. Mid-level structure: Flowering shrubs or multi-stem ornamental trees like serviceberry placed between windows to avoid blocking views
3. Front edging: Low perennials and groundcovers that keep the line tidy with seasonal color

In the heart of the entry, install symmetrical planters or compact evergreens to flank the door. Seasonal container displays by Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery can refresh the look for spring, summer, fall, and winter without reworking the entire bed.

6. Add Four-Season Interest

Curb appeal should not disappear once leaves drop. Plan for winter structure and cold-weather color. Red twig dogwood brings bold stems against the snow. Boxwood and yew keep form all winter. Ornamental grasses stand tall and sway in the wind until early spring cutback. Dried hydrangea blooms add texture beside the porch. Even a simple evergreen wreath and lit planters can make a Colonial entry feel warm from the street.

7. Manage Water and Salt the Smart Way

Front yard landscaping ideas Illinois homeowners rely on must handle heavy rain and winter treatments. Consider the following solutions.

• Regrade gently so water flows away from the foundation and walkways
• Add a hidden French drain or dry well to capture downspout runoff
• Incorporate a rain garden with moisture-loving natives in low spots
• Choose salt-tolerant plants near the street and driveway edges
• Use polymeric joint sand and frost-resistant paver bases to reduce heaving

Proper drainage preserves your hardscape and protects your home. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery designs subsurface solutions that blend seamlessly with your front beds and lawn.

8. Keep Maintenance Practical

Busy families in Northbrook and Glenview want easy care. Choose plant sizes that will not outgrow windows. Use mulch to suppress weeds and hold moisture. Consider drip irrigation for new plantings so roots establish quickly. Limit plant varieties to a streamlined palette that looks high-end without becoming a puzzle to maintain. A simple seasonal maintenance plan keeps everything crisp.

• Early spring: Cut back grasses, prune shrubs that bloom on new wood, fertilize evergreens as needed
• Late spring: Refresh mulch, plant annuals or containers, check lighting timers
• Mid-summer: Deadhead perennials, spot water in heat waves, inspect for pests
• Fall: Divide perennials, plant bulbs, prune after flowering as appropriate
• Pre-winter: Protect vulnerable evergreens from wind, clean up leaves from beds, adjust irrigation

Design Ideas Tailored to Northbrook and Glenview Colonials

Symmetry With a Twist

Use matching evergreens or containers near the door for a timeless Colonial feel. Then add a slightly curved walk, a flowering shrub grouping to one side, or a statement ornamental tree to keep the look fresh. Serviceberry, paperbark maple, or a compact crabapple are great options that add seasonal show without overpowering the facade.

Driveway to Front Door Flow

If most guests arrive through the driveway, add a secondary walk from the drive to the porch. Make it wide enough for two people and use consistent materials so the route feels designed, not improvised. A small landing at the driveway edge allows easy stepping in and out of vehicles during snow season.

Classic Materials That Love Illinois Winters

Brick and bluestone are Colonial mainstays. If you prefer concrete pavers, choose textured, frost-rated styles in warm grays or classic reds that nod to brick. Limestone steps pair beautifully with brick homes across Glenview and Northbrook. Always set stone on a base built for freeze-thaw movement to limit shifting and cracking.

Seasonal Container Strategy

Containers bring color to a restrained Colonial palette. Choose urns or square planters that match your home’s trim color. Plant simple recipes that change through the year. Spring bulbs and pansies, summer annuals and trailing vines, autumn mums and ornamental cabbage, and winter greens with twigs and lights. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery offers custom container design and change-outs that keep your entry welcoming every season.

Sample Front Entry Planting Palettes

Sunny Colonial Entry

• Corner anchors: Techny arborvitae or upright yew
• Foundation shrubs: Hydrangea paniculata and dwarf lilac between windows
• Perennial front edge: Catmint, salvia, and low sedum
• Accent: Serviceberry multi-stem off-center for spring flowers and fall color
• Winter interest: Red twig dogwood near the driveway where snow piles form

Shady Colonial Entry

• Corner anchors: Boxwood in a pyramidal form
• Foundation shrubs: Smooth hydrangea and inkberry holly
• Perennial front edge: Hosta, heuchera, and astilbe for texture
• Groundcover: Sweet woodruff near the porch to soften edges
• Winter interest: Evergreen wreaths and soft path lighting

Narrow Setback or Small Front Yard

• Tight evergreen forms: Dwarf boxwood or columnar yew
• Compact shrubs: Dwarf hydrangea and low-growing spirea
• Perennial restraint: Two or three reliable varieties repeated for unity
• Hardscape focus: A wide, straight walk with a dark brick border to enlarge the feel
• Lighting: Low-glare path lights and a simple uplight at the door surround

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overplanting near windows that blocks light and crowds trim
• Walkways that are too narrow for guests or deliveries
• Using plants that cannot handle salt or heavy snow near the driveway
• Harsh lighting that causes glare instead of gentle guidance
• Skipping drainage solutions that prevent ice and protect foundations
• Ignoring winter structure that leaves the entry bare from November to April

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas Illinois Homeowners Can Implement Now

1. Define your entry path and width before choosing plants
2. Pick two evergreen anchors and repeat them for rhythm
3. Choose three to five dependable perennials suited to your sun exposure
4. Plan for four seasons by layering flowering shrubs, fall color, and winter stems
5. Make maintenance easy with mulch, drip irrigation, and right-sized plants

These steps keep your design focused and your home looking polished from the street.

Why Work With Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery

Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery has been designing and maintaining landscapes in the North Shore since 1966. Founded by Paul Kjeldbjerg after emigrating from Denmark, our family-run company grew from a single truck and trailer into a full-service landscape design, build, and nursery operation. Today, our team serves Northbrook, Glenview, and neighboring communities with personalized designs, robust nursery stock, and detail-oriented installation.

We operate nursery fields in Wadsworth and work from our Long Grove farm, which allows us to source and grow plants we trust for Illinois conditions. Paul’s sons, Dan and Alan, continue the tradition of craftsmanship that started in the basement of the family’s Prospect Heights home. From customized front entry designs to foundation plantings, lighting, drainage, seasonal color, and holiday decor, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery delivers solutions that are beautiful and built to last.

Our Design Process for Colonial Front Entries

1. Consultation at your home to understand goals, style, sun exposure, and drainage
2. Site analysis including measurements, soil assessment, and photos of your facade
3. Concept plan that pairs your Colonial architecture with climate-smart plantings and hardscape
4. Detailed proposal for materials, lighting, and installation
5. Professional installation followed by care guidance and optional maintenance visits

This process ensures your front entry looks cohesive and performs in all seasons across Northbrook and Glenview.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my entry looking good in winter?

Use evergreen structure, grasses left standing, red twig dogwood for stem color, and well-placed lighting. Switch to winter container displays for instant curb appeal. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery can create seasonal planters that brighten the porch through winter.

What if deer visit my yard?

We select more deer-resistant plants, reduce high-pressure favorites near the front, and place vulnerable varieties closer to the porch where browsing is less likely. Scent-based repellents and strategic lighting can also help.

Will my walkway heave in winter?

With a proper base, edge restraints, and polymeric sand, high-quality pavers and natural stone can handle freeze-thaw cycles. Our teams install to best practices suitable for Illinois conditions.

How wide should my front walk be?

We recommend at least 48 inches wide. For most Colonial entries, 60 inches feels generous and fits the home’s scale.

Bring Your Northbrook or Glenview Entry to Life

If you are searching for front yard landscaping ideas Illinois homeowners trust for timeless curb appeal, start with a plan that respects your Colonial architecture and our local climate. Thoughtful structure, all-season plantings, safe and stylish walkways, and tailored lighting make a big difference. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery has the experience, nursery resources, and design vision to transform your front entry into a polished welcome for family and friends.

Ready to get inspired and take the next step? Contact Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery to schedule a consultation for your Northbrook or Glenview home. We look forward to designing an entry that feels classic, performs in every season, and makes your house the best-looking Colonial on the block.