My front yard used to be part of all of the other houses on the block.
I then went with traditional Cape Cod-style front yard landscaping, and the entire property transformed almost overnight.
I began to hear from neighbors asking me, “What did you do differently? Neighbors began to ask me, “What did you do differently? Some even came to my door for plant names!
I’m going to show you all 15 looks of cape cod landscaping that I actually used in my own yard. Some took a bit of afternoon time. Others were a season in the making.
Classic Plantings That Say Cape Cod Landscaping
I began here as plants are the first impression. If this is done correctly, then everything else will fall into place.
1. Hydrangea Borders Along the Foundation
Big, blowsy blooms softened every hard line along my foundation. For a reason, it’s the plant that’s associated with this style.
What makes it work: The rounded flowers counter the straight lines of the foundation and reflect the soft, coastal colors of this style.
Best plants:
- Endless Summer hydrangea
- Limelight hydrangea
- Annabelle hydrangea
Ideal for: Homeowners who want big color but don’t want the hassle.
My advice: Remove spent flowers in early Spring, not fall; otherwise, you will be cutting off flowers you don’t want next year.
2. White Picket Fence with Climbing Roses
No matter how you want to make your yard look like a postcard, there’s no better way than with a white picket fence. Throw in some roses, and it doesn’t look posed.
What makes it work: The fence frames the whole yard; the climbing roses add color and fragrance to the straight lines.
Best materials: Cedar or vinyl picket fencing are the most weather-resistant to salt air and severe winter weather.
Ideal for: Residential landscaping with a romantic, classic style and minimal upkeep.
My suggestion: Paint the fence before the roses have a chance to take root. It is difficult to paint around established vines.
3. Boxwood Hedges for Structure
This style is well known for its buttoned-up appearance, and boxwood gives a yard a personalized look.
What makes it work: Neat green lines provide structure and contrast, and are a nice accent to nearby loose flowering plants.
Best plants:
- Dwarf English boxwood
- Korean boxwood
- Green Velvet boxwood
Ideal for: Residential properties with a formal and neat front yard.
My advice: Don’t cut boxwood in the hottest part of summer, as fresh cuts will burn in the sun.
4. Ornamental Grasses for Coastal Texture
Grasses add a dune grass feel to the front yard, without the sand.
What makes it work: The swaying grass and texture from the grasses bring life to the yard, particularly when combined with the structure of the hedges.
Best plants:
- Feather reed grass
- Little bluestem
- Blue oat grass
Ideal for: Low watering needs and texture and movement.
My suggestion: Leave seed heads over winter. They are excellent frost-trappers and will add interest to the yard all year long.
Hardscape Elements That Set the Tone
Plants take the spotlight, but hardscaping is the glue that holds a front yard together. I have found out the hard way, skipping for 2 years.
5. Crushed Shell or Gravel Pathways
The paths are pale, crunchy, and point directly to the shore, even miles out to sea.
Why it works: It drains quickly after rain and stays light in color, so it doesn’t get hot in the summer; it still provides texture as you walk on it and isn’t very expensive.
Best materials: Crushed oyster shell or pea gravel with a paver or steel edge to contain.
Ideal for: Homeowners looking for a coastal style with a textured finish but on a budget.
My suggestion: Always put an edging strip. If not, shells will become a problem in your lawn in one season.
6. Bluestone Walkway to the Front Door
Once a bluestone path is in place, it looks like it will stay there forever and adds a touch of luxury.
What makes it work: The blue-gray color scheme complements the white siding and black shutters, creating a cohesive overall look.
Best materials: Irregular bluestone slabs in sand or mortar (climate and budget dependent).
Ideal for: Homeowners looking for a long-lasting, luxurious entrance.
My suggestion: Use bluestone with a thermal finish. Much less slippery when wet than polished stone.
7. Cedar Shake Mailbox Post
This little bit of detail is surprisingly heavy at the street.
What makes it work: Cedar shakes tie the mailbox into the rest of the property with the shingle siding on the house.
Best materials: Cedar shakes on a pressure-treated post, pressure-treated for weather resistance.
Ideal for: People looking for a minor improvement with a significant impact.
My suggestion: Re-seal the shakes once a year. They will fade sooner if not treated.
8. Low stone walls along the border.
A low stone wall will provide structure without closing off the yard.
What makes it work: The wall marks the property line but retains the open, inviting quality characteristic of this style.
Best materials: Fieldstone or stacked granite (as available locally).
Ideal for: Yards with a slope that require some light holding up.
My suggestion: Is to keep the wall no taller than 2 feet. If it is too tall, it’s more of a fortress than a border.
Quick Comparison: Popular Walkway Materials
| Material | Cost | Maintenance | Best for |
| Crushed shell | Low | Needs edging and occasional topping off | Budget friendly coastal look |
| Bluestone | High | Low, occasional resealing | Permanent, upscale entrance |
| Pea gravel | Low | Needs raking and weed control | Casual side paths |
| Brick pavers | Medium | Low, may need releveling over time | Traditional New England feel |
Color and Curb Appeal Details
A front yard such as this really shines through in terms of color. Here, it’s where personal taste comes out.
9. Blue and White Color Palette.
This is the hallmark of the style as a whole and is always in fashion.
What makes it work: Crisp white trim on soft blue or navy shutters gives it a classic New England look.
Best materials: In humid climates, color will last longer on fiber cement or composite trim and shutters than on wood.
Ideal for: Homeowners who want a classic exterior that will last a lifetime and be attractive for selling.
My advice: Do paint swatches in the morning and evening light. The blue hues change more than you may think.
10. Window Boxes Overflowing with Blooms
Window boxes provide color at eye level – where people see it first.
Why it works: Overfilling flowers can help break up the lines of the windows and add seasonal color without invading the ground beds.
Best plants:
- Geraniums
- Petunias
- Trailing ivy
Ideal for: People who are renting or own a home and want a lot of bang for their buck.
My recommendation: Line with coconut coir. It holds moisture much longer than a plastic liner can.
11. Black Shutters Against White Siding
This combination is on-point, timeless, and very familiar.
What makes it work: The contrast between black and white is clearly visible from the street even without the use of a single plant.
Best materials: Composite shutters which will not warp in humid/salty air.
Ideal for: Homeowners who want to give their home a dramatic look with minimal landscaping.
My advice: Measure twice, order once! The quickest way to throw off your home’s proportions is to use undersized shutters.
12. Nautical Accents Like Anchors and Lanterns
Minor coastal accents add a touch to the tale, but don’t make your yard a theme park.
What makes it work: The use of weathered metal and driftwood accents evokes the coast, but in a grown-up and understated way.
Ideal materials: Old brass, driftwood, or galvanized metal fixtures.
Ideal for: Coastal homeowners or anyone who appreciates the finer things in life.
My advice: Choose one or two accents most of the time. Any more, and it starts to feel like a gift shop.
Low Maintenance Touches for Busy Homeowners
This style of front yard does not require constant upkeep. All three options give me a similar look with much less maintenance.
13. Native Shrubs That Thrive in Sandy Soil
Native plants that have been growing in sandy coastal soil before landscaping was in vogue.
Why it works: These shrubs are already adapted to the local conditions, and require less water and fewer chemicals once established.
Best plants:
- Bayberry
- Inkberry holly
- Beach plum
Ideal for: Homeowners who want the traditional look without a watering plan.
My suggestion: Plant in fall rather than Spring. Roots form before the summer heat.
14. Mulched Beds Instead of Grass
Converting mulched beds from patchy grass greatly reduced mowing time.
Why it works: Mulch helps maintain a neat appearance all year and removes the cumbersome edging needed for grass beds.
Best materials: Shredded hardwood or pine bark mulch – which should be replaced each year.
Ideal for: People fed up with battling small, irregular patches of grass.
My suggestion: Change mulch annually, rather than biannually. Over time, too much mulch can suffocate plant roots.
15. Drought Tolerant Perennial Mix
This bed was a success for me; I had color from Spring till fall with only one day of watering per day.
How it works: A combination of perennial plants to change the color from season to season and then depend on the rain for survival.
Best plants:
- Coneflower
- Black-eyed Susan
- Russian sage
Ideal for: Homeowners who want color and travel a lot during the summer.
My suggestion: Plant plants together according to their water requirements. Combining thirsty and drought-tolerant plants can lead to overwatering the drought-tolerant plants to water the thirsty ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants are traditional in this landscaping style?
Hydrangeas, boxwood, and ornamental grasses form the backbone of most yards in this style. They all handle salty air and sandy soil without much complaint.
How do I keep a front yard like this low maintenance?
Lean on native shrubs, mulched beds, and drought tolerant perennials. Skip a high maintenance lawn in favor of textured groundcover instead.
What color flowers work best with this style of home?
White, soft blue, and pale pink flowers match the classic coastal palette best. They also photograph well against white or gray shingle siding.
Do I need a fence for this style to work?
No, but a white picket fence adds instant character if you want it. Plenty of homes look just as charming with open, planted borders instead.
What’s the best walkway material for this style?
Bluestone gives the most upscale look, while crushed shell keeps costs down. Both options fit the relaxed, coastal feel this style is known for.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t transform my front yard overnight. I started with one hydrangea border and added pieces as my budget allowed.
That’s really the beauty of this style. It rewards small, steady changes instead of one big renovation.
Pick two or three looks from this list and start this weekend.
