If you’re planning to plant a flowering plant in front of your house, here are some suggestions: Boxwoods, Camellias, Rosa Knock Out, and Rhododendrons. Each of these trees has their own characteristics and unique growing habits. In addition to their beauty, these trees also produce edible fruit. The most common of these plants is the camellia. Alternatively, you could plant a variety of different shrubs, allowing your garden to change over time.
Camellias
Planting camellias in front of your home is a great way to add color and interest to your landscape, but it can be tricky to know how much water they need. Camellias shrubs need regular watering and need to be watered a good bit, but don’t overdo it! They need about an inch of water a week, but it is important not to overwater them because this can cause root rot. For best results, water once a week when the soil becomes dry. To help retain moisture, mulch a 3 to 4-inch layer of bark or pine straw around your shrubs to provide a weed barrier, even out soil temperature, and moisture retention.
When planting camellias, dig a hole about twice as deep as the rootball. Make sure to plant in a partially shaded spot, away from other shallow-rooted plants. Make sure the area is well-drained and has a pH level of 5.5-6.5. If you’re planting camellias near a house, plant them at least five feet apart, which will allow for proper branching.
You can plant camellias in groups of two to three or more to create a dense hedge. However, you should never plant camellias too close to a structure or over a water pipe. Camellia roots are fibrous and dense, so be sure to keep them at least 6 feet away from any foundation or pipes. This will ensure their growth and healthy development for many years to come.
The best way to choose camellias is based on their bloom time and your climate. They can bloom in the fall or in the winter and look beautiful in any location. If your house is prone to cold weather, camellias are not recommended for the front of your home. These are suited to the shaded or partially sunny areas of your landscape. You can even plant camellias in containers as they grow tall enough to border walkways.
Boxwoods
While boxwoods can tolerate hard pruning, they don’t need it very often. In fact, their dense branching means that they won’t outgrow their shape very easily. However, you may want to prune off dead or twisted branches on occasion. In late winter or early spring, avoid pruning in the fall, as this can cause bronzing. Use pruning shears to cut off three to four-inch lengths of the stem tips. Remove lower leaves before pruning the bark.
Boxwoods are hardy to USDA zones four through nine, but they can be damaged by too much sun. Moreover, they can die of root rot if placed near a puddle or a pond. If this happens, you can choose other types of plants, such as cacti and houseplants. If boxwoods aren’t a good fit for your home, consider growing succulents or cacti instead.
You should choose a boxwood that can tolerate drought, heat, and nematodes. Choose one that is disease-resistant and doesn’t spread easily. Also, boxwoods aren’t best planted too close to each other. There are many different kinds of boxwood, so make sure to check the scientific names before you purchase one. Japanese boxwood, for instance, is very fast-growing and is resistant to both winter burn and boxwood blight.
If you’re thinking about planting boxwoods, make sure you have an area with good drainage and moist soil. If you live in an area with high rainfall, you may need to water them frequently to avoid drying out. You’ll need about an inch of water every 10 days in order to reach the top six to eight inches of soil. During the summer, it’s best to water them once a week, which should keep them healthy for the rest of the year.
Rhododendrons
When selecting Rhododendrons for in-front-of-house plantings, there are several factors to consider. Most rhodydendrons grow to mature in various sizes, and they are easy to transplant. They can also be pruned heavily or moved to suit their surroundings. In addition to this, Rhododendrons can also be planted in containers, creating a lower layer of evergreen foliage.
When choosing rhododendron plants for in-front-of-house plantings, be sure to find a site with ample sun and filtered shade. Rhododendrons also need well-drained soil to thrive. A good location would be a border around the house, or behind shorter plants. When selecting your planting location, check the pH of the soil. Heavy clay soils should be treated with an acidifier. Pine needles and oak leaves will also help maintain an acidic pH.
When selecting rhododendrons for in front-of-house plantings, choose a variety that suits your home’s architecture. Many rhodys grow up to six feet tall and can reach up to seven feet. Choosing the right type depends on your personal preferences and available space. Some rhododendrons can be trimmed into multi-stemmed small trees.
Another good choice for in-front-of-house plantings is a rhododendron that blooms throughout the winter. Rhododendrons are known for their durability and beauty. While they aren’t fussy, they do have certain requirements. When choosing a variety, look for companion plants that share similar soil and light requirements. This will help them grow and bloom faster.
In addition to soil pH, Rhododendrons need shade. Plants should be protected from excessive wind as wind increases transpiration rates. If the soil freezes in winter, the roots will be unable to provide additional water quickly enough. This is because they are not deep-rooted. In order to prevent the soil from drying out and causing problems, apply a layer of mulch and water frequently.
Rosa Knock Out
The knock out rose has been a hit for over 20 years, and it’s no wonder. They’re easy to grow, don’t require dead-heading, and bloom from spring to frost. This shrub grows to 4 feet tall and wide. It’s low-maintenance and gorgeous, and comes in different varieties, including the petite Knock Out. There’s also a tree form known as the standard, which makes for a striking focal point.
For a beautiful rose shrub for the front of your home, consider choosing a variety that blooms late in the season. Rosa ‘Knock Out’ is a red rose, while ‘Betty Prior’ is a compact pink rose. Both varieties are disease and pest resistant. They’re great choices for the front yard, where they won’t dominate the landscape. If you have a vegetable garden, try using straw, which is also easy to remove and serves as a home for beneficial insects.
If you’re not planning to landscape your entire yard, consider planting a foundation plant around your home. A bed of knock out roses will make your house look welcoming, and they add graceful beauty to the front of your house. In addition, they look great under windows or near your stairs. Lighter colors of flowers will brighten dark siding, while a colorful variety will add an eye-catching splash of color against white walls. Whether you’re planning a traditional or contemporary home, knock out roses are perfect for your house. They require little maintenance and look beautiful.
Choose Rosa Knock Out shrubs that have six hours of sunlight. Planting them in the spring or fall will reduce the chance of transplant shock. These roses need six to eight hours of sunlight each day to thrive and bloom. Make sure to plant them three feet apart so they’ll grow to a mature size, as well as have good air circulation. Good air circulation is key to disease prevention. So, consider these tips when planting Rosa Knock Out shrubs in front of your house.
Anglo-Japanese Yew
Anglo-Japanese Yew is a classic choice for the front of the house. This beautiful, evergreen shrub has a wide range of uses. In the garden, it can be used as a beautiful specimen, a screen for a window, or even as a border. It looks gorgeous in pots and can be left outside year round, depending on the climate. Its slow growth makes it a perfect choice for a walkway or entryway. The best way to plant a yew is in a clay pot, such as a terracotta one. A yew will need good drainage, partial shade, and frequent pruning in order to reach its full potential.
The Anglo-Japanese yew is a versatile plant that is perfect for both formal and informal gardens. While the Anglo-Japanese Yew can get very large, it is very easy to prune it down to size. Pruning in early spring should be aimed at thickening the branches. As it is poisonous, keep the Anglo-Japanese Yew shrubs for in front of house small.
Propagating yew from seed is an effective way to extend the size of your hedge or foundation planting. This process is relatively simple but can take several years. You’ll need pruning scissors, a rooting hormone powder, and a greenhouse. In late summer, you should take cuttings from the softwood portion of the yew bush. It is at this stage that the plant is beginning to harden, so make sure to choose a shoot with a strong upright structure.
Another variety used to form a privacy hedge is the ‘Hicksii’, which is column-shaped and grows to around 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Anglo-Japanese yew can be pruned to restore it to a lush, new growth. Pruning should be done early in the spring before new foliage starts to appear.