neighbors, curb appeal, and the magic of shared plantings

yesterday i met with a client who reminded me how powerful landscaping can be—not just for beauty, but for community. she and her neighbor in hinsdale decided to join forces on a shared planting bed along their property line. rather than treating the space as a dividing line, they see it as an opportunity to create something special together.

they had removed some oversized, outdated evergreens that were blocking visibility between their homes and weren’t adding much in terms of seasonal interest. in their place, we’ll be designing a new front yard planting scheme full of ornamental grasses, colorful perennials, and textured shrubs. the result will be a front yard landscape that’s beautiful, layered, and inviting—one that boosts curb appeal from the street and adds value to both homes.

this kind of collaboration is something i love seeing in neighborhoods like naperville, plainfield, batavia, geneva, wheaton, downers grove, and lisle. many of these communities are full of kids running from yard to yard, neighbors chatting on sidewalks, and homeowners who genuinely care about the look and feel of their surroundings. when you work together on shared spaces—especially visible ones like front yards—the results go beyond landscaping. it builds stronger relationships and a more unified, welcoming neighborhood.

so if you have a front yard that could use a refresh, or a neighbor who’s interested in some new plantings or hardscape, feel free to reach out and we can discuss the possibilities for your homes. improving curb appeal doesn’t have to stop at your property line—it might just start there.