South-facing yards are one of the most sought-after properties because of their access to heat and sunlight. Gardeners, in particular, will benefit greatly from a south-facing landscape since plants can thrive and develop better because of the amount of sunlight they receive. So, how do you design a south-facing landscape? We have gathered ideas for you.
Here is how you can increase curb appeal on your front yard:
- Make a Rock Garden
- Go With Gravel
- Create a Flower Garden
- Build a Greenhouse
- Build an Outdoor Patio
- Build a Sunbathing Spot
- Incorporate Trees for Shade
- Create a Vegetable or Fruit Garden
- Take Advantage of Ground Covers
- Plant Hedges and Borders
- Put Up Shades or Parasols
- Create Variation in Height and Shapes
- Incorporate Potted Plants
- Build a Water Feature
- Incorporate Lawn Grass
- Put Up Climbing Plants
- Build a Plant Wall
Having a south-facing yard can give you a lot of creative agency to design your landscape however you like because the sun is, quite literally, on your side. We have elaborated on the ideas that will inspire you to design your landscape. Keep reading below to learn more.
17 Landscaping Ideas for South-Facing Yards
Since having a south-facing landscape means you get to have so many design and layout options, it can be difficult to narrow down the ideas that work for you. Here are 17 inspiring ideas that can nudge you in the right direction!
1. Make a Rock Garden
Just because your yard is in a sunny location doesn't mean you should rule out rock gardens. Rock gardens are low-maintenance, and they complement the sunny spot beautifully. This is ideal if you don't have time to maintain a plant garden but want to keep your yard visually appealing.
2. Go with Gravel
This is another low-maintenance and affordable option if you want a landscape that can withstand any season. This landscaping technique is ideal if you want to plant greenery around your home but don't have the time to care for a full lawn.
The plants will thrive under the sunlight, and the gravel bed will keep the plants healthy.
3. Create a Flower Bed
Having a south-facing garden means you have the opportunity to make your garden as lush and vibrant as possible. Flowerbeds are a great idea if you want your landscape to look consistently welcoming and attractive.
Flowers often thrive and bloom beautifully under full sunlight. Having a south-facing garden will make it easier for you to nudge your flowering plants into blooming.
4. Build a Greenhouse
This is another great way to take advantage of the sunlight. Place the greenhouse directly under the sunlight so your plants can thrive and fully develop. The greenhouse can also be a perfect place to overwinter plants when the season changes.
5. Build an Outdoor Patio
What better way to enjoy the sunshine than to relax on a patio? Build a cozy and functional one so you can enjoy the fresh breeze during the spring and summer.
This will not only make your landscape look welcoming and aesthetically pleasing, but will also make it more functional especially when you're hosting house parties or simple gatherings.
6. Build a Sunbathing Spot
If your goal is to get a nice tan during the summer, creating a sunbathing spot in the middle of a south-facing garden is an excellent idea. You can prop up sunbeds and lounge chairs under a tree or in front of borders or hedges to make it seem like you're in a tropical paradise.
Check out this sunbed on Amazon!
7. Incorporate Trees for Shade
Since south-facing gardens tend to be sunny, planting shady trees in the landscape is a no-brainer. This will not only make your landscape look lusher, but it will also help cool you down during the summer when the weather will most likely be uncomfortably hot.
Read: "Dwarf Birch Trees For Shade [11 Excellent Options For Landscaping]"
8. Create a Vegetable or Fruit Garden
Take full advantage of having great access to sunlight by planting a vegetable or fruit garden! Not only will always have fresh farm-to-table cuisine, but you'll get to save a lot of money since almost everything you need is already in your front yard.
Of course, this is a challenging undertaking. But one of the requirements of a thriving vegetable or fruit garden is access to full sunlight--and you can already tick that off the list!
9. Take Advantage of Ground Covers
If you have unattractive spots around your house, having ground covers is a great way to hide them while making your south-facing garden look healthier and lusher.
The most attractive groundcovers such as Soapwort and Cotoneaster thrive under full sunlight, and some of them can even grow tiny flowers that can add vibrance to your already-thriving garden.
10. Plant Hedges and Borders
Hedges and borders provide privacy around our property, which is essential for added security. These hedges can also be used to accentuate parts of your landscape and divide sections for a more manicured landscape.
Most hedges thrive best under full sunlight, so they are ideally planted in south-facing landscapes.
Read: "Tropical Plants For Backyard Privacy – Which To Choose For Full Sun And Heat?"
11. Put Up Shades or Parasols
It's only logical to put up shades or parasols in a sunny landscape especially if you're planning to spend most of your time outside.
Having them will make your lounging more comfortable, and they will add character to the landscape, especially when perched beside flower beds or trees.
Check out this parasol on Amazon!
12. Create Variation in Height and Shapes
In every landscape, creating proportion and symmetry is essential for both form and function. They make sure that your plants don't get shrouded by another, and they make your landscape look more visually alluring.
Having variation will also make your landscape more interesting to look at--just make sure that the plants are all at an appropriate height, and that your flowers don't get too leggy.
13. Incorporate Potted Plants
Potted plants make a landscape more vibrant, especially if you choose colorful pots to put your plants in. Pots will also make it easier for you to transfer your plants when you want to rearrange your landscape.
14. Build a Water Feature
Having a south-facing landscape gives you the opportunity to create a tropical escape right in your yard, and what better way to do this than by building a water feature? It could be a small pond or a pool--it depends on how you intend to use it!
This will make your landscape look more sophisticated and relaxing, and you can lounge beside the water in the sunshine whenever you want to wind down.
15. Incorporate Lawn Grass
The most popular landscaping design when you have access to full sunlight is to have lawn grass. It's a tried and true solution if you want to have that manicured and elegant look on your property, although this could require more maintenance than other landscaping solutions.
16. Put Up Climbing Plants
If you want to inject more vibrance into your garden, put up climbing plants that bloom under full sunlight such as Honeysuckles, Bougainvilleas, and Wisteria Frutescens.
These flowering vines will make your garden look like a magical escape especially when you put them on an archway or a trellis.
17. Build a Plant Wall
If you want to save space but want to take advantage of the sun, build a plant wall that faces the sun directly. You can create a vertical garden, which will make your landscape look more unique.
Are There Disadvantages to Having a South-Facing Yard?
Although south-facing landscapes are generally more preferred, you will still need to prepare yourself for possible challenges. After all, no property orientation is perfect all throughout.
For instance, you'll need to dehumidify the north side of the house since it may feel damp because it doesn't face the sun. You will also need to cool down the south-facing part of your home during the summer since it can get unbearably hot.
Final Thoughts
South-facing gardens have a lot of advantages, especially if you have a green thumb. Make sure the plants you put up are compatible with the weather in your area to make sure you fully reap the benefits of each plant, and so that your south-facing garden can look consistently lush.