How to Landscape a Corner Lot

Corner lots are open to view from traffic on two different streets, so the landscape should be especially well-manicured. The corner lot may be the first house seen in a community. For homeowners who take pride in their home's curb appeal, corner lots provide extra opportunities to impress neighbors. There may be some restrictions to keep plants from blocking the view for drivers trying to make a turn. Pedestrians may also be tempted to use a corner lot as a shortcut, so special measures can be taken to discourage unwanted foot traffic.

Plant a row of hedges along the side street and part of the second street to cut down on noise from traffic, block the home from view and keep pedestrians from walking through the yard. Make sure the hedges don't block the view of cars making the turn at the corner.

Install a 3-to-4-foot-tall wooden picket or iron-rail fence along both sides of the corner lot, leaving access to the driveway open. This is an ideal option if hedges would block too much of the view; the property line is still clearly defined and pedestrians can't cross through the yard.

Plant a flowerbed at the corner to serve as a focal point of the landscape and improve the looks of the corner. Incorporate a variety of flowers, trees and shrubs of various sizes and colors.

Plant a ground-cover plant, such as juniper, creeping phlox, wintercreeper or English ivy to prevent erosion if the corner features a steep sloping hillside from the yard down to the road. Other flowers can also be used, but ground-cover plants eliminate the task of mowing grass on a steep slope.

Install lamp posts or solar-powered garden stake lights along the edge of the yard on both sides of the corner to define the property line, light up the street and illuminate the yard to discourage pedestrians from passing through.

Place a garden bench between two shade trees, such as dogwoods, on each side of the corner lot. Even if the benches are never used, they help to make the home seem more relaxed and inviting to guests.

Check with your local code enforcer or homeowner's association to find out how far from the road that hedges and trees must be planted.

Choose plants that are native to your environment and that are intended for the amount of sun that a particular spot on the lot receives.