In this blog:
- Match plants to how the window opens: Low, view-friendly plants suit bay, bow and picture windows. Casement and awning windows need clearance for outward-swinging sashes.
- Plan for Denver’s climate: The Front Range sits in USDA zones 5b–6a, so cold-hardy perennials, dwarf shrubs and movable container plants hold up best through cold winters.
- Curb appeal pays for itself: Real estate agents cite curb appeal as a top buyer factor in 97% of home sales. New landscaping can beautifully complement home updates like new windows.
The right landscaping doesn’t just add beauty to your yard. It enhances your home’s architecture and highlights your windows. Whether you’re designing around a wide bay window, a cozy garden window or a large picture window, having the right plants can create a polished look that frames your Colorado home perfectly. Discover front window landscaping ideas, creative plant pairings and layout tips designed to work with a range of window styles.
Landscaping By Window Type At A Glance
| Window Type | Best Landscaping Technique | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Bay & Bow | Low, mounded shrubs or perennials below the window; taller ornamental grasses or a columnar tree framing each side | Keeps panoramic views open while creating a natural frame |
| Garden | A trellis for climbing vines below the sill outside; cold-hardy herbs on the interior ledge | Extends the window’s “mini greenhouse” effect indoors and out |
| Picture | Simple, low-profile ground cover; one specimen tree or shrub placed off center | Preserves the unobstructed view while adding a single focal point |
| Casement & Awning | Hanging baskets clear of the sash’s swing path; low annuals or perennials along the base | Avoids blocking the window’s outward-opening mechanism |
| Double-Hung | Symmetrical foundation-height shrubs on either side of the window | Echoes the window’s classic vertical lines |
Bay and Bow Windows
Bay and bow windows are as functional as they are beautiful. Thanks to their expanded view, more natural light pours into your space, enriching your home with sunshine and warmth. Choose plants that add visual appeal without overwhelming your yard or blocking your panoramic view.
Landscaping Techniques
Use low-growing shrubs, perennials or evergreens below the bay window to create year-round interest. Place taller plants like ornamental grasses or columnar trees on the sides to create a natural frame that enhances the window’s shape. For a charming, classic look you can enjoy inside and out, add window boxes with cascading flowers or trailing plants like petunias or ivy.
Garden Windows
Have a green thumb? Nurture plants inside and outside with a garden window over your kitchen sink. Their outward-projecting design adds a unique, three-dimensional element to your home while acting as a mini-greenhouse for plants and herbs.
Landscaping Techniques
Plant herbs like basil, thyme and mint for a functional, fragrant indoor garden that’s easily accessible for harvesting. On the outside, add a trellis to support vertical growth below the window and enhance the garden effect. Climbing plants like jasmine or clematis around the window frame adds a more dramatic look. For a low-maintenance option, create a rock garden full of succulents and small alpine plants for a textured backdrop.
Picture Windows
Show off your yard with an unobstructed view of the outside. Whether you want to keep things simple or create a focal point, picture windows’ large, fixed panes are designed to wow your guests and make the outdoors a stunning backdrop.
Landscaping Techniques
Clean lines and symmetry are key characteristics of picture windows, so consider simple, low-profile plants to avoid blocking the view. For increased visual interest, place a dramatic tree or sculpture within the window’s view without overwhelming the scene. You can also plant trees and shrubs with colorful foliage and blooms that change with each season.
Casement and Awning Windows
Due to their unique hinge-opening mechanisms, casement and awning windows perfectly balance natural light and functionality. Since they both open outward into your yard, they have a larger impact on landscaping than other window types.
Landscaping Techniques
Avoid placing tall plants directly in front of the window so you can still see outside and allow fresh air inside. Hanging baskets from the top (for awning windows) or the side (for casement windows) will not obstruct the window’s opening path, provided you don’t hang them too low or too close to the window, respectively. For vibrant, cascading blooms, choose plants like fuchsia or begonias. Use low-growing annuals or perennials along the window’s bottom edge to add color without interfering with functionality.
Double-Hung Windows
Double-hung windows are by far our most popular window with Denver homeowners. You’ll see their classic, versatile style in homes across the Front Range. Their flexibility and effortless style mean you can really set the stage for virtually any landscaping. In terms of what plants you can choose to work with double-hung windows, the sky is the limit.
Landscaping Techniques
Symmetry works well with double-hung windows, especially since you’ll often see them in pairs across the face of homes. Plant matching shrubs or perennials on either side of each window for balance.
Since double-hung windows don’t swing outward, you can also plant hedges or other taller foundational plants closer to the house than with other window styles. Window boxes under the lower sash are ideal as well, since you don’t have to worry about the window interfering with your blooms when you open it.
Best Plants for Home Landscaping in Denver’s Climate
Denver and the broader Front Range sit in USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) plant hardiness zones 5B—6A. The region experiences bitterly cold winters that can plunge well below zero, so plants need to be able to stand up to harsh cold. Here are some of our recommendations for beautiful plants that thrive in Denver’s climate:
- Dwarf hydrangeas
- Boxwoods
- Coral bells
- Japanese holly
- Carex ornamental grasses
- Compact junipers
- Dwarf spruces
These plants are small enough to work well in a front yard without competing with your windows for height, keeping sightlines clean from inside. Best of all, every one of these plants is hardy and won’t need to be treated as seasonal plants that require additional care to survive winter.
Try Out Window Boxes and Curb Appeal Add-Ons
Want to make your home the neighborhood standout? The National Association of Realtors cites curb appeal as a factor in attracting buyers in 97% of home sales. Plants and new replacement windows add style, but going the extra mile pays off even more. Here are some of our tips on making the most of window boxes.
- A window box with trailing petunias, vinca vine, begonias or fuchsia cascades well, softening the hard angles of windows and adding charm.
- We recommend adding window boxes on double-hung windows, since the window opening won’t interfere with the plants.
- Skip window boxes on casement or awning windows, unless they’re mounted well clear of the swing path when they open. Similarly, window boxes should be avoided on bay windows and garden windows, since they’ll likely overhang the top of the window box, making it hard to care for the plants inside.
Reframe Your View With Window World of Denver
The right plant can highlight almost any window, but the window itself sets the frame. If your current windows are drafty, foggy or holding your curb appeal back, it’s time to give us a call. Request a free estimate and see how the experts at Window World of Denver can bring your dream home to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close can shrubs be planted to a window or foundation?
Shrubs should be planted at least two to three feet from your home’s foundation. Larger shrubs should be placed even farther out, up to five feet away.
Can I plant flowers directly under a casement or awning window?
No, casement and awning windows are made to open out, not up like double-hung windows. Planting flowers under them could make it harder to use your windows and interfere with the growth or care of your flowers.
What USDA zone is Denver in?
Denver is in USDA zone 6A. Some of our neighboring communities that we serve along the Front Range are in USDA zone 5B. A wide array of plants will fare well in either zone.
Do window boxes work on every window type?
No, window boxes work best with windows that do not open outward or have outward projections. Window boxes are perfect for double-hung windows, which will not interfere with the growth of your plants in a window box.