Early American Garden Style

Early American garden style is the traditional backdrop and framework for both Early American and colonial-style homes. Usually designed for a lot that slopes gently toward the street, the style is suitable for any site on which a traditional home is built.

The main design elements of an Early American garden are an expansive lawn, which serves as a foreground setting for the house; foundation plantings; a few large trees in groupings; and a straightforward walkway to the front entry. Simple geometric shapes and curves are used. Any number of special features, such as flower borders and low clipped hedges, can be added to the basic design. Because of its simplicity, this style gives a garden an established look quickly.

A large shade tree is the hallmark of the Early American-style garden. Among the commonly grown trees are red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), white alder (Alnus rhombifolia), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Popular foundation shrubs include winter daphne (Daphne odora), euonymus, holly, and rhododendron.