Low-growing, evergreen shrubs with excellent curb appeal are the best foundation plants. Planting along the front of the home is optimal with foundation plants. Their small stature and evergreen foliage can brighten up your home and complement your garden decor. Corner planting or entrance planting with the right foundation plants is also a good idea.
Low shrubs, dwarf trees, tiny conifer bushes, and ground cover plants are all examples of foundation plants. The area around your home is kept green all year by planting evergreen bushes. In the spring, summer, and autumn, flowering garden plants add color.
Little evergreen trees, planted beside entrances or angles, also add visual appeal. The article reviews several of the greatest home enhancement plants to improve your property’s appearance.
Why Grow Foundation Plants in the Front Yard
The home’s visual appeal is improved, and its foundations are disguised, thanks to foundation plants. The property’s foundations are disguised by the proper sort of low-growing bushes, which create a beautiful link from outside to indoors. Your property becomes more attractive and appealing, as well as increasing in value, when you choose the right foundation plants.
How to Choose Foundation Plants for the Front Yard
Boxwood, wintercreeper, rhododendrons, and holly are some of the best low maintenance evergreen shrubs for the front yard. The foliage of these small, bushy plants stays green all year. Sun or partial shade is ideal for the plants. They grow slowly and are drought-tolerant.
Foundation plantings include low-growing shrubs that are attractive throughout the year. Since they won’t obstruct views from your window, these shrubs are ideal. Also, when selecting plants, think about how much sunlight your front yard receives. Some foundation plantings prefer full sun and others prefer shade.
Foundation planting should also include drought-tolerant plants. To avoid dampness around your home, let the soil dry between watering. Planting short shrubs 3 feet (1 metre) apart is a good idea for this reason.
Keeping damp away from your home is also aided by plenty of air circulation around plants near your foundation. Since they might harm the property’s foundation, avoid bushes or tiny trees with invasive roots. At least 5 feet (1.5 meters) from your home, these bigger bushes should be placed.
Types of Foundation Plants – Excellent Landscaping Shrubs for Front of House
What low-growing landscaping plants should you cultivate along your home’s front? To beautify your garden and increase the curb appeal of your residence, let’s take a closer look at ideal foundation plants.
Boxwood (Buxus) Shrubs for Foundation Plantings
Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ is a small low-growing evergreen shrub with a rounded form (see picture). Boxwood plants have thick, lush evergreen foliage and bushy growth and are low-maintenance foundation plants. Most cultivars don’t grow higher than 3 or 4 feet (1.2 m), making them easy to trim and maintain.
Full sun, partial shade, and full shade are all options for boxwood varieties. Boxwoods are simple to grow and tolerate drought, especially in well-drained soil. Zones 5 through 9 are ideal for hedge plants.
For the front of the house, try boxwood shrubs like Boxwood ‘Dee Runk’ (left) and Boxwood ‘Green Gem’ (right).
- Boxwood ‘Winter Gem’ (Buxus microphylla ‘Winter Gem’)—’Winter Gem’ boxwood has tiny glossy green leaves that stay green all year and develops up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) in height. Zones 6 through 8 are recommended.
- Japanese Boxwood ‘Green Beauty’ (Buxus microphylla var. japonica)—The foliage on the boxwood plant is lush, and the lanceolate leaves are glossy. This tiny foundation shrub thrives in both shade and bright light. Zones 6 through 9 are suitable for growing this plant.
- Common Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’)—One of the greatest foundation plant options is boxwood. The dwarf boxwood plant grows to be up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall and bears evergreen leaves that are drought tolerant. For formal low hedges, ground cover for shade, or sun, grow common boxwood as a container entrance plant.
- Boxwood ‘Green Pillow’—A low-growing broadleaf shrub, the ‘Green Pillow’ boxwood is a foundation plant that thrives in poor conditions. A pincushion pillow appears to be a thick shrub. This boxwood thrives in zones 5 to 8 and grows up to 1 foot (30 cm) as a foundation plant.
- English Boxwood ‘Dee Runk’ (Buxus sempervirens)—Entry plant or corner plant this tall boxwood shrub. The upright columnar growth of the evergreen shrub grows to a height of 7 feet (2 meters) tall. ‘Dee Runk’ boxwoods provide year-round color. To create a foundation planting hedge, you may prune this fast-growing plant. Zone 6 – 8.
- Buxus ‘Green Gem’—This little landscaping plant bears tiny oval leaves and forms a circular mound of dark green foliage. Excellent low hedges are produced by the dense growth habit.
Small Yew Shrubs – Low Maintenance Shrubs For Front Of House
Dwarf yew cultivars are low-maintenance, dense, evergreen shrubs that are ideal as accents. When it comes to front yard evergreen landscaping bushes, English yew ‘Repandens’ (left) and Taxus media ‘Densiformis’ (right) are the soft needles and dense growth that make them great. Upright growth is common in most compact yews, and they prefer full sun. Dwarf yew hedges, decorative border hedges, and attractive foundation plants are all great low-maintenance hedge options.
For foundation planting, choose from the following varieties of yews:
- Anglo-Japanese Yew (Taxus x media ‘Densiformis’) – Ideal semi-dwarf foundation plants include Anglo-Japanese yews. The foliage of this yew species is made up of glossy green needle-like leaves and grows as a low-growing shrub. The yew shrub may reach a height of 3 to 4 feet (1.2 to 1.2 meters). For planting in shady areas surrounding foundations, the Densiformis yew is a terrific option. Anglo-Japanese yew has the ideal qualities of a foundation plant because of its low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and evergreen leaves. Anglo-Japanese yews grow well in full sun, partial shade, and full shade in zones 4 – 7. They are ideal for growing along the front of your house.
- English Yew (Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’)—With spreading growth, this low-growing, low-maintenance ornamental foundation plant. The leaves of English yews grow to be 2–4 feet (0.6–1.2 meters) broad and may reach 15 feet (4.5 meters) broad.
- Japanese Yew ‘Bright Gold’ (Taxus cuspidata)—This spreading dwarf foundation shrub grows to be about 4 or 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) tall. In zones 4 – 7, the parent plant thrives best in full sun or partial shade.
Cavatine Dwarf Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’)
In any foundation landscaping, the low-growing Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’ stands out. A foundation plant that grows up to 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall is known as the Cavatine plant. The dark green foliage is contrasted by the creamy-white blossoms. This is a low-informal hedge plant that is also known as the lily-of-the-valley shrub. In your front garden, dwarf ‘Cavatine’ plants thrive in full sun or partial shade. Drought-tolerant Pieris foundation plants thrive in zones 6 through 8 and are ideal for Japan.
Rhododendron – Foundation Plants for Front Yards
Rhododendrons include the evergreen varieties ‘Hino Crimson’ (left), ‘Bow Bells’ (middle) and Dwarf Indica Azalea (right). Since they grow to between 2 and 4 feet (0.6 and 1.2 meters) tall, many rhododendron bushes are excellent foundation plants. For full sun or partial shade around foundations, evergreen rhododendrons are excellent choices. In the spring, Rhododendron bushes are bursting with blooms.
For front yard foundation planting, here are some of the best rhododendron shrubs:
- Rhododendron ‘April Rose’—The gorgeous purple blooms, broad green leaves, and cold-hardiness of this hardy semi-dwarf shrub makes it a favorite. In zones 4 through 8, this stock plant grows to 3 to 4 feet (1–1.2 m) tall and flourishes.
- Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’—Every spring, this tiny plant flowers with great numbers of white blooms. The bushy foundation plant thrives in both sunlight and shade. Planting in front yards in zones 5 to 8 is ideal.
- Rhododendron ‘Hino Crimson’—For your home’s front yard, try the ‘Hino Crimson’ rhododendron. The low shrub has lustrous evergreen leaves and bright pink blooms that grow to 2 or 3 feet (0.6 or 1 m) tall. Zone 5 through 9 is ideal for growing.
- Rhododendron ’Bow Bells’—When this little evergreen shrub blooms, it is covered in beautiful clusters of pink scented flowers. Throughout the winter, glossy, dark-green leaves stay green.
- Dwarf Indica Azalea (Rhododendron eriocarpum)—In most regions, this little flowering plant grows to just 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall. As a small flowering hedge or an accent plant, grow this rounded broadleaf bush in shrub borders.
Inkberry Foundation Plants (Ilex glabra)
Inkberry shrubs like the ‘Shamrock’ (Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’) are ideal for foundation planting if you’re looking for front-of-house ideas. Inkberries are shrubs that produce flowers in the summer and black berries in the autumn. They’re front yard evergreen shrubs.
For year-round color in your front yard, try the Inkberry Shamrock cultivar with thick, dark green leaves. Plants of the inkberry Shamrock reach a height of 3 to 4 feet (1.2 to 1.2 m). In full sun or partial shade, inkberry bushes thrive. The bushy foundation plants tolerate wet ground and thrive in a variety of soils. In zones 4 through 9, these shrubby, low-growing, easy-care plants thrive.
Some additional inkberry foundation plants are listed below:
- Inkberry ‘Strongbox’—Little leaves, thick leaves, and a height of up to 3 feet (1 meter) characterize this low-growing compact shrub.
- Inkberry ‘Gem Box’—The tiny dark green leaves, compact development, and tolerance for soggy soil and full sun give the inkberry foundation plant the appearance of boxwood.
Arborvitae Foundation Plants (Thuja)
From top left, clockwise, ‘Little Giant’, ‘Hetz Midget’, ‘Fire Chief (‘Congabe) and ‘Aurea Nana’ are examples of dwarf arborvitae (thuja) cultivars. Arborvitaes prefer full sun along the front of homes, and they thrive in limited varieties. Or, as corner or entry plantings, you may grow taller upright compact arborvitae trees. In zones 3–7, arborvitae bushes may be found.
For growing around the foundation, here are some of the best arborvitae options:
- Dwarf Golden Oriental Thuja (Platycladus orientalis ‘Aurea Nana’)—Golden-yellow leaves and soft needle leaves characterize this dwarf evergreen shrub. To cover foundations, grow in sunny or partly shaded front yards.
- Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’—For foundation plantings, this conifer species is a great choice. With soft green feathery leaves, the arborvitae has a compact dome form. In the sunny front yards surrounding foundations, grow.
- Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’— The flattened top of the tiny dense rounded shrub makes up for its soft conifer feathery leaves. As a foundation plant, place this easy-care arborvitae along your house’s front.
- Thuja occidentalis ‘Fire Chief’— In the spring, the small plant has thick golden yellow leaves. In the autumn, it gradually transitions to a vibrant green and red. In zones 5 – 9, this low-growing arborvitae thrives as a foundation plant or for low hedges or borders. It grows to 3 to 4 feet (1.2 to 1.2 m).
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) Shrubs for Foundation Plantings
Your front garden is enhanced with the bright foliage of tiny evergreen Euonymus bushes. ‘Emerald n’ Gold,’ ‘Emerald Gaiety,’ and ‘Moonshadow’ are compact cultivars with bright yellow and green foliage. Wintercreeper cultivars are tiny, low-maintenance shrubs that may grow to 1–2 ft (30–60 cm) tall and are perfect for concealing foundations, ground cover, edging, or garden borders.
In the shade, these cold-hardy bright plants flourish as well as in full sun. Zone 5 – 9 is where Wintercreeper shrubs grow. Check with your state before planting them near your foundation, as they are considered invasive in some areas. For foundation planting, try these wintercreeper shrubs:
- Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’—With its yellow and bright green leaves, this wintercreeper is a low-maintenance plant that will beautify your front yard. Suitable for setting around foundations in shaded parts of your yard.
- Euonymus fortunei ‘Moonshadow’—In sunny or shady front yards, lush green and yellow leaves provide stunning foundation cover. ‘Moonshadow’ wintercreeper grows up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall with a 5-foot (1.5-meter) spread.
- Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’—This low-growing bushy evergreen shrub with white and green variegated foliage makes a wonderful ground cover. As a foundation plant, low hedge, or climber up walls, grow it in sunny front yards.
Dwarf Spruce Shrubs for Front of House Planting
Dwarf spruce shrubs, such as Picea abies ‘Little Gem’ (left) and Picea pungens ‘Glauca Globosa’ (right), provide instant curb appeal. Low-growing, evergreen plants that thrive in full sun are spruce conifer shrubs. They’re a fantastic option for foundation plants because of their blue-green hues, needlelike leaves, and spreading growth. In zones 3 to 8, spruce bushes and trees thrive.
A slow grower shrub with a spherical form and flat top, the birds nest spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’) is a good option.
- Bird’s Nest Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’)—The flattened top of this low-maintenance foundation plant is oval in shape. Dense light green foliage covers the spruce known as the “Bird’s Nest.” The conifer grows to 3 or 4 feet (1.2 or 1.2 meters) tall, depending on the species.
- Dwarf Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Tompa’)—A low-maintenance tiny shrub with a conical form for the front of the house, the Tompa spruce cultivar is ideal. This small plant only grows to be 3 feet (1 meter) tall. In a sunny front yard, plant it as a foundation plant or an entrance plant.
- Dwarf Black Spruce (Picea mariana ‘Nana’)—A tiny spherical foundation plant that just grows to be 2 feet (60 cm) tall is the dwarf spruce shrub.
- Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)—A pyramid shape is present in this conifer foundation plant. It’s a popular choice for landscaping at corners, as entry plants, or to provide a visual emphasis to other foundation plants due to its light green leaves and decorative appearance.
- Picea abies ‘Little Gem’ – With needle-like dense foliage and a flattened round shape, this dwarf evergreen spruce shrub is ideal for the front of the house. In a rock garden or in front of other taller shrubs, this compact landscaping shrub will look great.
- Picea pungens ‘Glauca Globosa’—A globe-shaped, blue-needled shrub is depicted in photographs of this tiny spruce. The little-growing dwarf evergreen may grow to be about 3 or 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall over time.
(Dwarf Alberta spruce) Picea glauca ‘Conica’
Hydrangea – Flowering Foundation Shrubs
Hydrangeas are deciduous ornamental foundation shrubs with clusters of big globular blooms and a rounded form. Bigleaf Hydrangea or Mophead Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is the name for this species. Because of their easy-care requirements and spectacular flower clusters during the summer, hydrangeas are popular blooming plant for indoor front yards.
Hydrangeas are large flowered shrubs that can grow to be 3 to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. Hydrangea flowers are ideal for tiny gardens and the front yard because they grow in a tight, short manner. Hyrangea are low-maintenance shrubs that do not care about the soil and have average water needs. Hydrangea bushes prefer partial shade, but full sun is ideal for some hydrangea blossoms. Pruning spent flowers is all these shrubs need.
Hydrangea blooms range in hue from blue, lavender, white, pink, red, green, and purple. They bloom for many weeks throughout the summer. As an accent blooming plant or to create a colorful hedge, plant an easy-care small type of hydrangea bushes in front of the home.
The stunning huge blossoms also make excellent cut flower floral displays as a bonus. USDA zones 3 – 9 are ideal for most hydrangea cultivars.
For foundation planting in the front yard, consider these hydrangea shrubs:
- Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’ – For foundation planting, this is one of the most popular mophead hydrangea shrubs. In acidic soils, flowers are blue; in alkaline soils, they become pink. This decorative hydrangea plant stands at 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) tall and broad.
- Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer Bloomstruck’ – With attractive rounded growth habit and two-toned lilac or pink flowers, this hardy mophead hydrangea variety is worth growing. It may reach a height of 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 meters) and a width of 5 feet (1.5 meters).
- Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’ – This small dwarf plant is great for the front of the house, growing only 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. The lime-green blooms, huge pointed green leaves, and spherical, mounding growth of this hydrangea make it stand out.
- Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ – The huge showy white blooms on this front of house plant are spectacular. ‘Annabelle hydrangea’ has a compact, rounded growth habit, making it ideal for foundation planting. It reaches 3–5 feet (1–1.5 meters) tall and 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 meters) broad in easy care landscaping shrub form.
- Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata) – With lovely green leaves and delicate light pink or light blue blooms, this is one of the smallest hydrangea types. Ideal for creating a colorful shrub border or growing in front of the house. It’s about 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) tall and broad.
Foundation Trees for Corner House Plantings
Planting at house corners with upright conical evergreen trees and shrubs like arborvitae, spruces, boxwood, and yews is a great option. Front of your home may be framed by columnar trees, and additional foundation plants may be accentuated. Corner plants should ideally be tiny or dwarf trees that are appealing year-round.
Make sure that the trees you’re planting aren’t too near to your home’s corner. Trees expand out as they develop and mature. As a result, your home’s edges should not be disguised, but rather highlighted. For trees to grow near the corner of your home, here are some excellent options.
American Arborvitae ‘Smaragd’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
The Smaragd arborvitae is a columnar tree that may be used to accentuate the front or rear of your home. The light green, feathery foliage of these small arborvitae semi-dwarf trees The smaragd grows slowly and is simple to cultivate, reaching heights of 14 feet (4.2 meters). You may grow Smaragd evergreen conifer trees in containers near your front door and call it arborvitae, or “Emerald Green.”
Upright Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’)
The Upright Japanese Plum Yew is a tiny compact evergreen tree that’s ideal for planting at the corners of your home. It’s upright and columnar. Evergreen yew has upright rising stems and blackish-green leaves that grow to 8 or 10 feet (2.4 or 3 meters). To add visual appeal to the house’s edges, plant in sunny or partially shaded gardens.
Redbud (Cercis) Tree
Redbuds are small decorative flowering trees with pink flowers that you may put in the vicinity of your home. They’re a tiny low-maintenance bloomer for the front of the house. When they bloom in the spring, redbuds turn a magnificent rosy-pink color.
In the summer and fall, the tree is covered with lush, heart-shaped leaves. While redbuds are deciduous trees, their complex stems and branch patterns create a stunning winter form.