Houses built during the early years of the last century usually had foundations of stone or concrete blocks. The foundation planting was developed in an attempt to hide this unsightly base. Modern houses frequently do not have exposed foundations. Nevertheless, the belief persists among many homeowners that a foundation planting in its 1940s form is still the measure of a properly landscaped home (Figure 9-24). Characteristic of that dated style were rigid upright forms accenting the corners and entrance, with spreading forms in between. In contrast, the modern foundation planting (Figures 9-25 and 9-26):
figure 9-24. A common, unimaginative foundation planting. Upright shrubs at the corners of the house and spreaders beneath the windows create a rigid appearance. (Delmar/Cengage Learning)
• uses softer, less geometric plant forms
• combines deciduous and evergreen species for greater seasonal change and interest
• reaches outward and forward to tie the house more intimately with the rest of the garden
• accents the house rather than presenting a solid mass of plant materials
• focuses attention on the entrance by the use of flowers and other eye-attracting features
