Design ideas for foundation plantings

The foundation of this north-facing house is chopped up and distracting on all sides. A trellis with vines anchored to the bare wall will give it character. The sharp corners and many angles of the windows, steps, doors and drainpipes can be softened by skirting the house with foundation plants such as conifers and colourful deciduous shrubs. This, along with a new seating area, will create an inviting and cheerful scene.

The utilitarian basement doors and porch make for a chaotic entryway; a more serene patio area is needed. I suggest constructing an informal seating arrangement with a park-style bench and simple aggregate slabs, located to the side of the porch, with adjacent plants for seasonal interest. 

The low winter temperatures in Zone 3 shorten the list of ornamental cultivars that can be safely planted, but many cold-resistant species will prosper. Conifers are especially useful to help clothe the house during long winter months, augmented with spring-flowering shrubs and small trees. With short summers and fewer growing days than warmer zones, many plants will fail to reach their full size. Small trees such as Amur maple and Preston lilac, and aggressive plants-American bittersweet vine and sumac, for example-have inhibited growth in Zone 3 and make good foundation selections.