If you’re wondering which shrub to grow in front of your house, you’ll be happy to know that camellias are growing in popularity. They are one of the earliest shrubs to bloom in winter. Today, they have undergone hybridization, creating flowers that are more durable and have a longer bloom time. Winter’s Snowman, for example, blooms earlier than its predecessors and produces snow-white blossoms in October and November.
Winter Gem
You can plant a Winter Gem shrub for the front of your house if you have the right space and soil. This shrub is a great choice if you live in a frosty area because it is hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It will also look beautiful against your house if you place it in the right spot. You should also consider pruning this shrub in late spring after it has produced its first flush of spring growth.
Winter Gem is a cultivar of the microphylla species. It will thrive in full sun or partial shade and grows up to 2 feet tall. Boxwood is generally grown for its foliage rather than its flowers, so it is best planted in a sunny area. Winter Gem Boxwood is a very hardy shrub that can handle full sun or partial shade. It also grows well in containers. This makes it an excellent shrub for year-round interest.
Planting a Winter Gem boxwood shrub is best done in the early spring or early fall. Winter Gem grows moderately fast, reaching up to 3 feet tall and two feet wide. Winter Gem Boxwood can be planted five feet away from the house, where it will not threaten the foundation of the house. It is also a moderate grower, but you’ll need to prune it regularly to keep it looking nice. If you plant it too close to the house, it will become overgrown and unattractive.
Inkberry
An Inkberry shrub is a lovely plant to add color to the front of your house. Its dark blue berries attract birds. You can plant in containers or grow it next to small trees and shrubs. Inkberry shrubs are also perfect for front garden designs with limited space. You can even grow them in decorative round pots in containers. The leaves of an Inkberry shrub are attractive and can blend in well with a variety of landscaping styles.
A good tip for planting an Inkberry shrub is to prepare the planting bed. Dig a hole two to five feet wide and as deep as the root ball. Set the root ball in the hole, so the top roots are slightly above the soil’s surface. A lack of sunlight in the bottom portion of the shrub will make it less productive. Make sure that the hole is free from debris, and keep the soil moist.
Inkberry is native to southern New England and is commonly grown for its spectacular spring flowers. Its leathery glossy leaves are evergreen and are shaped like a ball. The flower clusters, which bloom in May and June, range in color from rose to white with purple markings. The plant is a dwarf evergreen native to North America that grows in a dense ball shape with good branching to the ground.
Japanese yew
A beautiful, long-lived shrub, the Japanese yew is one of the most popular choices for the front of a home. This plant has an incredibly long lifespan, and was said to be the Yggdrasil tree of Norse mythology. It is extremely hardy and adaptable, thriving in full sun, partial shade, and a variety of soil conditions. Despite its longevity, it is poisonous to small animals, so it is best to plant it in a garden that has a moderate pH level.
For the best results, plant your Japanese yew in spring. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and plant the tree straight down. Water the roots to help them establish and then fill the rest of the hole with soil. Water the Japanese yew once a week to avoid drought and soil compaction. It also needs adequate fertilizer to survive drought. Once planted, Japanese yews will look amazing and will enhance your home’s curb appeal for years to come.
Another great choice for the front of your house is a dwarf Japanese yew. Choose ‘Nana’, a dwarf form with dark green needle leaves and scarlet red fruits. This plant grows slowly and evenly in shade, and can reach up to 4 ft. tall. The dwarf form can also be a wonderful ground cover or shrub border. Just be sure that it gets plenty of sunlight, as it can become very large.
Green Mountain boxwood
If you are looking for a low-maintenance, pyramidal plant for the front of your home, consider the Green Mountain Boxwood. This plant is deer and critter-resistant, as well as fragrant and attractive to pollinators. It prefers moist soil and full sun. A yearly spring feeding with organic fertilizer is recommended. Mulch will also help retain the shrub’s shape and moisture level.
This plant grows between two and four feet tall and three to five feet wide. Its foliage is green year-round, and it is a dense deciduous shrub with dark, glossy needles. These plants are easy to maintain, even if you have to prune them occasionally. The resulting foliage is attractive in summer and is a wonderful way to distinguish your home from your neighbors. As a bonus, Smoketrees are quite hardy, making them suitable for colder climates.
This green mountain is an excellent choice for front garden borders, as it adds structure to the landscape. This plant also works well flanking a garden gate or front entrance. It can be sheared, giving a dense, upright hedge look, or left natural for a more informal look. However, be sure to check with a nursery before pruning the shrub. Its low maintenance nature allows you to leave the new growth on the tree for several years and still enjoy its beauty.
Fire Power Nandina
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, attractive shrub for the front of your house, consider the Fire Power Nandina. Its fern-like leaves and slender, bamboo-like stalks redefine vibrancy and merge lush color with textural foliage. Its foliage stays green throughout the year and changes to vibrant red in the fall. Its leaves retain their bright red hue well into winter.
The nandina is a native of China, India, and Japan. It grows four to eight feet tall and two to four feet wide. In full sun or part shade, it will thrive. It prefers rich, moist soils. It will lose its leaves if temperatures dip below ten degrees Fahrenheit, but it will regrow from its roots. If you’re planning to plant a nandina shrub in a cold climate, you should add a thick layer of loose mulch around it.
Choose a variety with red leaves or green foliage for a more dramatic look. Red-hued nandina foliage will contrast well with dark greens. You can also combine red-hued nandina with other types of evergreens to create a stunning planting bed. There are newer, compact nandina cultivars available that are ideal for mid-ground planting. The foliage of these shrubs is striking against a dark backdrop and will stand out against flowering perennials.
Winter Creeper
The Winter Creeper shrub is a broadleaf evergreen that can be grown in containers, landscapes, and as a garden accent. Its foliage is a soft green with a contrasting yellow edge. Although it grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, it can be vulnerable to winter damage. Wrap the shrub in burlap to protect it from damage. This hardy shrub has a wide variety of uses and is an excellent choice for the front of a home.
Despite its name, this evergreen shrub is an informal selection. It grows two to three feet tall and thrives in zones six through eight. It likes partial shade and constant moisture but can’t tolerate standing water. In the fall, its foliage turns a bright red. Its low growth habit makes it a great shrub for a front yard. The shrub’s foliage is also attractive in the winter months.
Another winter-hardy shrub is the ‘Green Velvet’ Boxwood. Its low growth habit makes it easy to prune and cultivate. Its lanceolate leaves remain on the branches throughout the winter. This evergreen shrub can grow two to three feet tall, and its foliage can be pruned into pyramids. It is also suitable for formal and informal gardens. When chosen for your front yard, this shrub is sure to bring beauty and curb appeal.
