Deciduous and Evergreen shrubs are two of the most common types of plants to choose for the front of your house. Flowering shrubs are also a popular choice for this area, and you can find many varieties of these in your local nursery. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of each type of shrub, and help you choose the right one for your home. Also, we’ll talk about foundation plants and flowering shrubs.
Evergreen shrubs
There are several types of evergreen shrubs available for the front of your house, each with its own characteristics, sizes, shapes, and leaf styles. Some are more suited to the front of your house while others may need to be grown in shady areas. When choosing shrubs for your front yard, always keep in mind the USDA Hardiness Zone, as the shrub’s growth rate will be affected by this information. Also, consider the size of your yard and the space available for growing it. It is important that the shrubs you choose complement the landscape, otherwise they will detract from its beauty.
Evergreen shrubs in the front yard add great curb appeal and are a welcome addition to your home. They can even help reduce your heating costs, since they trap cold air close to your house’s foundation and act as extra insulation. Remember to plant them in good soil to ensure long-lasting beauty. However, you should always use gloves when pruning evergreen shrubs to avoid causing injury to yourself or others. They also need good drainage.
Juniper is a great choice for the front yard. Junipers grow to around 12 feet tall and can live as long as 50 years in the right conditions. Another great choice for the front yard is the Little Giant, a species in the family of Arborvitae. The foliage on this evergreen shrub is feathery and it grows naturally into a medium-sized ball. A variety of juniper shrubs are available in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes.
If you are looking for low-maintenance evergreen shrubs for the front of your home, boxwoods are a great choice. This shrub will thrive in a partially shaded spot and grow to fit any shape you want. Boxwoods are also easy to trim and will follow the shape you want. But be sure to water them well in order to keep them healthy throughout the winter months. Adding mulch and burlap wraps to the soil will help protect them and keep them looking good year-round.
Deciduous shrubs
If you’re looking for evergreen, deciduous shrubs that will add color and texture to your landscape, consider the Taunton spreading yew. This shrub is a popular choice because of its beautiful deep red stems, which remain attractive year round, even when the leaves fall off. It also boasts fragrant white spring blossoms and small, red berries that are eaten by 18 species of birds. Its dense roots help control erosion, and pruning isn’t necessary – only a yearly trim will keep its vibrant red stems.
Another popular choice for front-yard planting is the Black Spruce. This slow-growing shrub will grow to about four feet in height. The Little Giant, another evergreen shrub, grows into a medium-sized ball naturally. Its feathery green leaves will give it a lush look all year round. It also grows into a compact dome shape. Regardless of your preference for color, these shrubs will add color to your yard.
Other popular options include Azaleas, which will grow to 2 feet in height and require minimal maintenance. They need acidic, moist soil and partial shade. However, they don’t tolerate standing water. Despite their ease of care, Azaleas are not cold-tolerant and will require special care if your climate is in a freezing region. A rhododendron can look spectacular against a white house, but be careful when selecting the variety you choose, as it can become a pest trap.
There are a wide range of types of deciduous shrubs that can make a great addition to the front of your house. Boxwood, for instance, is a favorite because of its symmetrical branches. Its branches can be pruned to create geometric patterns, or a traditional cottage style. Boxwoods are hardy and low-maintenance and grow slowly in zones five to nine. The Japanese yew is another low-maintenance shrub that requires very little care.
Other evergreen deciduous shrubs for the front of your house are hydrangeas and Japanese maple. These shrubs bloom in late summer and early fall and can reach up to six feet in height. Japanese maples, on the other hand, are taller and can reach 10 feet in height. All of these options will add color and interest to your front yard. If you are looking for a shrub that will last all year long, you may want to consider the aforementioned options.
Foundation plants
Planting a small hedge is one of the easiest ways to add curb appeal to your home. These plants look attractive in front of a house and are easy to grow. Choose from a variety of different shrubs. The classic ‘Limelight’ hosta grows 8 feet tall and wide, so plant it in a sunny location. The shorter ‘Little Lime’ panicle hydrangea is a great choice for planting near a window.
If you’d like a completely green yard, try to choose a foundation plant that has contrasting foliage. A foundation plant can be a nice addition to any front garden bed. There are many choices for perennials for your front yard, depending on the shape, size, and color of your house. Lilies are a beautiful, artistic addition to your front yard. They come in a variety of colors and can be planted anywhere along your front porch.
If you don’t like the look of a hedge, try a mountain laurel. This deciduous shrub can grow up to 20 feet in height in the wild, but they’re best kept smaller in the front of the house. They’re an excellent foundation plant for any home and make a beautiful, distinctive plant. They grow slowly and need at least six hours of direct sun a day. They also add curb appeal to your home.
There are many types of spruce trees you can plant in your front yard. The dwarf Norway Spruce is low-growing and grows only a few feet tall. It’s a great foundation plant and will add color to the front of your house. A dwarf golden oriental thuja is another great choice and will add beautiful, soft needle-like foliage to your home. This shrub will also grow in partial shade and tolerates a wide variety of climates.
For a traditional landscape, consider an inkberry bush. This low-growing, voluminous shrub is versatile, and it can be pruned to match any style. A relative of the holly family, inkberry bushes can grow up to 10 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space over the top. The berries are edible and delicious! Inkberry bushes can be very invasive, so choose a low-growing variety.
Flowering shrubs
A flowering shrub on your front lawn is an excellent choice for instant curb appeal. It can be grown in a dwarf size or a larger size, depending on your needs and preferences. You can choose shrubs for their flowering season, privacy, or both. Adding flowering shrubs to your front yard landscape can improve curb appeal, provide instant visual interest, and last for years. Listed below are some of the best flowering shrubs for front yards.
Rhododendrons are another popular flowering shrub to add to the front of your home. These evergreen plants grow to two feet in height. They require partial shade and constant moisture to bloom. They do not tolerate standing water, but provide beautiful flowers in spring and summer. The rhododendron ‘April Rose’ has large purple flowers and is hardy to zone 4, and can survive in zone eight.
Another flowering shrub to consider is the Ogon Spirea. This woody, deciduous shrub is a great choice for a front-of-house plant. The white flowers on these shrubs are reminiscent of the English rose. Their green and yellow foliage is unique and beautiful in the fall, as the leaves turn a bronze color. These shrubs are very low-maintenance, and they are great for front-of-house landscaping.
If you have the space and budget, try planting a spirea. This flowering shrub, which grows in zones three to eight, is the epitome of spring. These shrubs are small, but bear flowers in spring or summer. They remain small and resistant to deer and other pests. They bloom in late spring and are easy to maintain. Also, their flowers are not fragrant, so they’re a great choice for front-of-house planting.
There are many varieties of boxwood that provide a wide range of fall color, and they grow to be three to five feet tall. Many of these shrubs are also easy to prune and maintain. These shrubs are also versatile enough for both formal and informal gardens. So, you’re sure to find a flowering shrub that looks great! So what are you waiting for? Get planting! You’ll be glad you did!
