Sometimes the best transformations don’t start from scratch — they build on what’s already beautiful. For @kenziemariehome, the front of her home featured a lush, established Cleyera hedge, offering the perfect evergreen foundation. But as the seasons changed, she wanted to bring new life and color to her front walkway without disrupting the structure she already loved.
With a few thoughtfully chosen plants from the Southern Living Plant Collection and Encore Azalea, we added layers of texture, color, and height to create a vibrant, welcoming front yard that feels both polished and natural.
1. Building on a Strong Evergreen Foundation
Cleyera is one of those dependable evergreens that’s too good to replace. It provides dense coverage, rich green foliage, and year-round structure. Instead of starting over, we used the hedge as a backdrop — a living canvas to highlight brighter tones and playful textures.
2. Height and Structure with Leyland Cypress
To frame the walkway and add vertical interest, we planted Leyland Cypress. Its upright, feathery form creates a striking focal point against the front porch and balances the horizontal lines of the hedge. The fresh green color contrasts beautifully with the darker Cleyera, giving the landscape instant depth and structure.
3. Soft, Year-Round Color with Blush Pink™ Nandina
At the base of the hedge, we layered in Blush Pink™ Nandina for a softer texture and subtle seasonal color. Its airy foliage and pink-tinged tones echo fall hues while remaining attractive through winter and spring. This low-maintenance shrub is ideal for filling space along a walkway and bringing lightness to a bed of dense evergreens.
4. Bold, Lasting Blooms with Autumn Embers® Encore Azalea
Nothing adds life to a front yard like blooms — and Autumn Embers® Encore Azalea delivers just that. Its vibrant red-orange flowers bring warmth and brightness that draw the eye from the curb, complementing the pink undertones of the Nandina and the golden-green tones of the Cypress. Plus, since it’s an Encore Azalea, you get multiple bloom cycles throughout the year for lasting impact.
5. Finishing Touches: Texture, Balance, and Seasonal Charm
With the addition of pine straw mulch, the whole space came together — clean, cohesive, and full of Southern charm. The mix of evergreen structure, soft foliage, and bright color makes this walkway feel refreshed and inviting all season long.
The Result:
The front walkway now showcases how easy it can be to refresh your landscape without removing what’s already thriving. By layering height, texture, and color around existing shrubs, we created a welcoming entry that feels timeless, balanced, and distinctly Southern.