You can use shrubs for foundation as a great way to dress up your front yard and provide some verticality to your home. You can also add some color and texture to your yard by installing annual and perennial flowers in front of your foundation shrubs. Below are some ideas for choosing the right shrubs for foundation. Just remember to use a variety of plants for different locations and climates. It will also depend on the style of your house, but these are the most common choices.
Inkberry
Inkberry shrubs for foundation plantings add privacy and a touch of high-style to your landscape. This evergreen shrub grows to about 4 feet tall and produces green leaves that resemble small mushrooms. It is a dioecious species, which means it produces male and female shrubs, but they do not necessarily grow together. The closer the male and female shrubs are to each other, the more likely they are to pollinate each other.
Inkberry shrubs are a traditional landscaping option that can be pruned to suit almost any landscape style. These voluminous shrubs are related to holly and other evergreens. As they grow to be quite tall, be sure to leave enough space overhead for them to reach the sky. Moreover, they need adequate watering to survive the winters. In addition to that, inkberry shrubs should be planted in moist, well-drained soil to minimize their chances of being damaged by dry weather.
Inkberry shrubs can be grown in average soil conditions and are great for foundation plantings. They grow well in full sun to part shade and tolerate a range of soil types. They tolerate average to slightly alkaline soil. Because of their hardiness, inkberry is a great choice for gardens, especially if they are in a moist location. Inkberry also attracts pollinators and attracts many different wild birds. They can even grow as an informal hedge.
Inkberry holly can reach up to eight feet tall and wide at maturity. This plant is leggy and can grow up to 2 feet off the ground. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade, and is hardy in zones four through nine. Inkberry hollies can live for 50 years or more. Inkberry shrubs for foundation may be a good choice for a foundation planting because of their slow growth habits.
Inkberry shrubs are easy to grow and don’t require much maintenance. They can be planted in full sun, partial shade, depending on where you live. Japanese yew shrubs tolerate deer, and require a low-maintenance environment. They are tolerant of urban pollution and can be grown successfully in the inner city. Make sure that you mulch well around the roots in winter for extra protection.
Yew
Many homeowners use yew shrubs as foundation plants in their landscapes. This species of tree is highly toxic, with a variety of symptoms and adverse effects. The poisonous berries are inedible, but a few of its symptoms can be fatal: vomiting, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, and irregular heartbeat. Although yews are poisonous to animals, they can also pose a threat to humans.
When choosing Yew as a foundation plant, take into account its climate needs and climate zone. It prefers a moderately moist soil, and should be watered once or twice a week in young growth. It is more resistant to drought and overwatering as it grows older. Yews grow well in areas with a cool climate but may struggle with extreme heat in the summer. If you have the opportunity, consider using Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food to give your yew a darker, denser foliage.
To grow a yew plant, follow the instructions on the package carefully. In early spring, add a thin layer of compost or mulch to the soil. You should monitor the resulting sprouts periodically. You can then plant the seedlings outdoors as they grow. Depending on the type of yew you have, it may take several years for a yew plant to mature. To shorten the process, many gardeners prefer to buy a start from a nursery or take cuttings from a mature tree.
Japanese yews are good choices for foundation plantings. They grow slowly in our area and require early morning sun. Because they’re native to the colder climates of the Atlantic Coast, they don’t get as tall as those in the east. Moreover, the Japanese yew doesn’t get as large as its counterparts do. However, they make for good Christmas greenery. But remember: you don’t have to plant them in full sun. Instead, plant them in a partially shaded area.
A yew shrub’s root system grows deeply into the cement of a building. This makes it difficult to remove with a chainsaw. It may also damage the house’s foundation. You should also be careful about removing yew from your home. Although they’re resilient and resistant to cold, they can cause serious damage to a structure. So, you should take proper precautions when planting yew shrubs around your foundation.
Hydrangea
The best way to plant hydrangeas in containers is to dig a hole at least 2 feet wider than the plant’s root ball, and the same depth. Make a slight mound around the base of the plant to improve water drainage. After digging the hole, bend a branch towards the trench. If the soil is moist, it will touch the center of the branch and extend about six to twelve inches beyond it. If the soil is dry, scratch the bark with a finger to check whether it has made contact with the soil.
A thick layer of mulch will help retain moisture and keep the soil cool. If possible, water your hydrangeas in the morning, when the temperatures are cooler. Make sure to water deeply, as many varieties do not tolerate waterlogging. Watering hydrangeas during the cool of the day will encourage them to bloom. The soil should also be rich in organic matter. This will improve the soil’s texture.
Hydrangea shrubs for foundation make excellent accent plants. Their flowers are large and showy, and they bloom on the shrubs in early summer. Many hydrangeas are hardy, thriving in USDA zones 3 through nine. For a showy specimen, opt for a tall panicle variety, such as H. paniculata. Other varieties include H. ‘Limelight’, which bears light-colored flowers and grows four to six feet tall.
If you are looking for low-maintenance landscape plants, you can select dwarf varieties or a round evergreen. Dwarf evergreens are good for low-windows and can provide year-round color. Choose a variety of flowers for a varied effect, and don’t forget to consider the size of your foundation plants. You’ll thank yourself later if you don’t have to prune it every year!
Many types of hydrangeas grow well in the foundation of your home, but it’s best to choose a variety with flowers that suit your landscaping. For example, if you live in an acidic climate, choose Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’, which blooms in blue in alkaline soil. While it’s possible to find hydrangea shrubs for foundation planting in containers, you’ll want to ensure that the size of the containers matches that of the foundation bed.
Weigela
Weigela shrubs are great choices for your foundation planting. The arching branches of these plants bloom in late spring and early summer, and their compact growth habit and flashy foliage make them an excellent choice. This plant tolerates hot summers well, and is popular with hummingbirds. The plants can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, and are ideal for foundation planting. In fact, weigela are very hardy in most climates.
Pruning is one of the easiest aspects of caring for weigela shrubs. While many gardeners prefer the natural shape, some cultivars spread uncontrollably. For this reason, pruning a weigela shrub is best done after flowering. Otherwise, it may remove flower buds and prevent new growth. In order to keep your weigela shrubs looking great, follow these simple tips:
The flowers of weigela shrubs are a common sight in landscapes during late spring and early summer. Some varieties are reblooming later in the season. The flowers range from white to red and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The foliage of weigela shrubs is medium green, purple, and sometimes glossy. In the fall, the leaves turn brown. Weigela shrubs are best planted in sunny sites with moist soil.
Weigelas are an easy-to-grow genus that range in height from one to ten feet. The traditional weigela is the most common species, but there are many hybrids and varieties with other attractive characteristics. They require low maintenance and need little water and fertilizer, and are suited for full-sun locations. Pruning is not required for dwarf weigelas, but larger varieties may need pruning to maintain the desired shape. Because weigelas bloom on old wood, they are best planted in mass.
