How to Landscape Around Egress Window Wells.
Although egress window wells aren’t often pretty, they serve a purpose if you want the basement to receive natural light. Window wells sit at or below soil grade, so you must not block light from entering through the window. Whether you want to conceal the window entirely or make it less noticeable, careful selection of plants and placement of landscaping materials can unite the window well with the rest of the foundation’s landscaping.
Low Hedge
Low hedges planted around egress window wells block them from view and act as a barrier so inattentive visitors won’t fall in if they walk along the foundation. Plants should grow no more than about 1 to 2 feet tall so they provide concealment but allow sunlight to reach the window. “Daub’s Frosted” juniper (Juniperus x pfitzeriana “Daub’s Frosted”) reaches 1 to 2 feet tall and grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. As an alternative to shrubs, create a hedge from colorful perennials such as “Blue Fortune” hyssop (Agastache “Blue Fortune”). Grown in USDA zones 5 through 10, “Blue Fortune” grows up to 3 feet tall when in bloom with blue flower spikes that attract butterflies.
Stone Wall
Stone works well for window well landscaping, particularly if you already have a stone foundation. Rather than selecting a generic, semi-circular, aluminum window well, choose the structured look of a stone retaining well. Stack stones around the opening of an existing aluminum window well to create the look of a short retaining wall. Stacked stone raised garden beds installed against the foundation on either side of the window helps tie in the stone of the window well. Build up the planters to the same height as the window to make it less noticeable.
Camouflage
If you choose dramatic, colorful, attention-grabbing plants for the foundation, egress window wells go virtually unnoticed. The plants should not block sunlight from reaching the window. Before finalizing plant placement around the foundation, set potted plants on the ground, observe the bed from multiple angles and visualize the mature size. Although you can mix shrubs, perennials and annuals, plants with light, airy foliage provide camouflage while allowing light to pass through. Variegated purple fountain grass (Pennisetum “Fireworks”), hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10, grows up to 3 feet tall, but its foliage won’t completely block the light.
Terraced
Window wells around egress windows must be large enough so someone can escape through the space in case of an emergency. Instead of trying to hide larger window wells — an almost-impossible task — work the design into an attractive landscaping feature. When digging out the window well for egress window installation, create multiple level platforms in a step formation in the ground. Install stones or landscaping timbers to support the edges of each terrace. Leave bare soil on each terrace for planting flowers. Alternatively, completely cover the soil with stones, timbers or paving stones, and use the platforms to display potted plants. In an emergency, the terraces work as steps to safely and easily escape through the window.
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