When it comes to adding a pop of color to the exterior of your home, blooming shrubs are an excellent choice. Not only do they create a welcoming atmosphere, but they can also boost your property’s value by up to 7 percent. The key is to select varieties that are both visually appealing and easy to maintain. To help you make informed decisions, we’ve compiled a list of the most stunning and low-maintenance shrubs perfect for the front of your house.
From evergreens that can be used to conceal unsightly features like vents to deciduous shrubs that add texture and color during the winter months, there’s something for every taste and style. And let’s not forget about flowering shrubs – a few strategically placed blooms can work wonders in terms of landscaping your yard.
Best Shrubs For Front Of House
Azalea
When it comes to making a bold and beautiful first impression, these blooms are a top pick due to their striking size and vibrant flowers. With a range of stunning colors to choose from, including orange, white, pink, red, and the subtle charm of lavender, you’re sure to make a lasting impact with your selection.
Bird’s Nest Norway Spruce
Bird’s nest, an evergreen spruce, boasts a unique shape that evokes the very image it’s named after. Its branches spread out in an oval form, creating a natural depression at its center. This distinctive appearance is reminiscent of a bird’s nest, nestled among the trees. The foliage of this shrub is a light green hue, while its growth rate is characterized as slow-moving. As a foundation shrub, it’s well-suited to thrive in conditions where moisture levels are low.
According to Nature Hills, this species excels at adapting to dry environments, making it an attractive option for gardeners seeking a hardy, low-maintenance addition to their outdoor spaces.
Blue Star Juniper
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance shrub to add some curb appeal to your home’s exterior, the Blue Star juniper is an excellent choice. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for planting under windows or along the front of your property, where it can soak up full sun. Measuring in at just 3 feet tall, this juniper is a great option for adding some visual interest without overwhelming the surrounding landscape.
One of its most notable features is its stunning foliage, which boasts a beautiful silver-blue hue that retains its vibrancy throughout the year.
Burning Bush
With its impressive stature, the burning bush (Euonymus alatus) can reach widths of nearly 12 feet and heights of up to 20 feet. This deciduous plant is characterized by its slow growth rate, vibrant red foliage that transforms in the fall, and adaptability to thrive in a variety of climates.
Cavatine Dwarf Japanese Pieris
The Cavatine Dwarf Japanese Pieris, also affectionately known as Lily of the Valley, is a compact and charming addition to any garden. Reaching only 2 feet in height, its petite stature makes it an ideal choice for front yards or informal gardens where a delicate touch is desired. The white blooms of this variety truly shine against its dark green foliage, creating a striking visual display that’s sure to draw attention.
Notably, the Cavatine Dwarf Japanese Pieris can tolerate dry conditions, making it a great option for those who may forget to water from time to time. However, it does require some shade, as direct sunlight can be detrimental to its health. With proper care and placement, this lovely variety is sure to bring joy and beauty to any outdoor space.
Cherry Laurel
The Cherry Laurel shrub stands tall as an evergreen tree, capable of reaching heights between 20 and 24 feet. During the spring months of May and June, its branches come alive with sweetly scented white flowers. As the seasons change, these blooms give way to tiny red fruit, which ripens in the summer months. This versatile tree is an excellent option for small yard spaces, provided it’s planted at least 5 feet away from your home, allowing for a natural and unobstructed view.
Dense Spreading Yew
The Dense Spreading Yew, a slow-growing yet versatile shrub, excels in two primary roles: providing a natural hedge or border, and serving as a foundation plant. This evergreen’s compact nature makes it an ideal choice for placement beneath windows. Its most notable feature is the striking contrast between its dark green foliage and bright red berries, which make a statement when used as a foundation planting.
Dwarf Black Spruce
The Dwarf Black Spruce is a diminutive yet striking evergreen shrub, characterized by its rounded shape and silvery leaves. While it may not grow quickly, this slow-growing plant has a remarkable lifespan of up to 50 years. Its compact branching habit allows the shrub’s foliage to remain low-lying, creating a charming and understated appearance that belies its impressive longevity.
Dwarf Leucothoe
Dwarf Leucothoe, an evergreen shrub with a pleasant aroma, boasts vibrant red foliage and stems that retain their freshness throughout the winter season. This low-maintenance plant is well-suited for areas receiving partial sunlight, where it can reach dimensions of approximately 3 feet in width and 5 feet in height.
Elegantissima Dogwood
The Elgantissima Dogwood is a stunning option for adding vibrant color to your landscape during the off-season. This versatile shrub thrives in most soil types and basks in full sun, making it an ideal choice for many gardeners. In the spring, delicate white flowers bloom with a sweet fragrance, gradually giving way to berries boasting a striking combination of green, blue, and white hues.
As autumn arrives, the leaves transform into warm shades of gold and deep red, providing a breathtaking display. During the winter months, the stems take on a beautiful crimson hue, adding an extra layer of visual interest. Whether used as a border shrub or ornamental decoration, the Elgantissima Dogwood is sure to impress. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for planting near your home, and its unique characteristics make it a valuable addition to any landscape.
Emerald N Gold Wintercreeper
The Emerald ‘N Gold, part of the Wintercreeper family of evergreen shrubs, boasts striking green and yellow leaves that transform into vibrant red and pink hues during autumn and winter. This versatile plant can be effectively used as a foundation plant, reaching heights of 1 to 2 feet. Its compact growth makes it an excellent choice for borders and edgings. When considering this species for your garden, it’s crucial to check if it’s considered invasive in your region before making a purchase.
Glow Girl Spirea
The Glow Girl Spirea is a stunning choice for gardeners seeking to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This versatile shrub not only draws in these beneficial visitors but also provides a boost to your vegetable garden’s productivity. As the seasons change, the plant undergoes an impressive transformation: purple buds burst into white flowers in the spring, while the green foliage transitions to a vibrant yellow come fall.
Due to its compact size, this spirea is ideal for landscaping smaller yards and can thrive in containers or as a colorful addition to rock gardens. Its low-maintenance nature makes it an excellent foundation plant to brighten up any outdoor space.
Golden Globe Arborvitae
Golden Arborvitae excels in climates with consistent rainfall, making it an ideal choice for many gardeners. This versatile evergreen thrives as an accent piece, showcasing its natural globe shape and vibrant yellow tips. The shrub’s low maintenance requirements make it a popular selection among landscapers and homeowners alike.
Inkberry
The evergreen’s three main types offer distinct characteristics that make them suitable for various garden settings. The Shamrock Inkberry is often used as a foundation plant in front gardens, where it adds beauty and structure to the landscape. Its flowers bloom during spring and summer, while blackberries ripen in the fall. Notably, these plants tend to remain compact, typically growing no taller than 4 feet and spreading out to a width of around 6 feet.
Japanese Boxwood
The Green Beauty boxwood is a popular variety that can be recognized by its distinctive characteristics. According to ’65 Cheap And Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas To Instantly Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal’, this type of Japanese boxwood shrub has a unique growth pattern, reaching heights and widths of approximately 3 feet. Its leaves are also notable for being lanceolate in shape, with the widest part situated near the center and gradually tapering towards the base.
Japanese Skimmias
Standing at an impressive 20 feet in height, Japanese Skimmia boasts a robust presence in any garden. Its evergreen foliage is complemented by a stunning display of pink and white flowers that bloom throughout the year, creating a vibrant spectacle for pollinators like hummingbirds to enjoy. As a flowering shrub, Japanese Skimmia proves to be an excellent choice for attracting these tiny creatures, making it a wonderful addition to any outdoor space.
Knock Out Roses
When it comes to selecting a flowering shrub for your home’s façade, Knock Out Roses are a top pick. This compact shrub reaches heights of approximately 4 feet, making it an ideal choice for front yard landscaping. With a range of vibrant colors available, including white, pink, red, and yellow, you’re sure to find the perfect hue to complement your home’s exterior.
Little Giant Arborvitae
The versatility of the Little Giant’s unique shape is one of its most attractive features, allowing for a wide range of creative landscaping opportunities. This evergreen conifer has a moderate growth rate, reaching heights of around 4 feet and spreading out to approximately 10 feet in width. One of its most distinctive characteristics is the feathery appearance of new leaves that emerge. In terms of growing conditions, the Little Giant thrives when provided with full sun.
Moonshadow Euonymus
Moonshadow’s unique foliage, featuring a striking blend of green and yellow hues, makes it an attractive option for both landscaping purposes as ornamental plants. As it grows up to 5 feet wide but only reaches 3 feet in height, this winter creeper is particularly well-suited for creating visually appealing borders.
Mugo Pine
The Mugo Pine is a versatile evergreen that thrives in informal gardens, boasting the ability to withstand harsh seasonal fluctuations. Its preference for full sun allows it to flourish in areas where direct sunlight is abundant. This dense shrub has a tendency to spread its base up to 10 feet and can be effectively used on slopes, making it an excellent choice for controlling erosion. As such, it’s often recommended by gardening experts.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
The deciduous Oakleaf Hydrangea is a visually striking plant, boasting leaves that are equally captivating as its showy flowers. As the foliage matures, it takes on an oak-like appearance with a soft, fuzzy texture. During autumn, these leaves transform into a kaleidoscope of purple and red hues. Meanwhile, the blooms begin their journey from pure white to rich shades of purple or pink by fall’s arrival.
To maximize the visual impact of this shrub, consider planting it in areas where it can bask in full sun, allowing its vibrant colors to truly shine.
Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are a versatile evergreen option that offers effortless maintenance and stunning visual appeal. Reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet, these plants are ideal for foundation plantings, where they can provide a solid base for your garden’s overall aesthetic.
One of the standout features of rhododendrons is their ability to add a pop of color to any landscape.
With varieties available in vibrant shades of purple, white, and pink, you’re sure to find one that complements your existing foliage. Whether you’re looking to make a bold statement or simply add some visual interest to your outdoor space, rhododendrons are an excellent choice.
Taunton Spreading Yew
The Taunton Spreading Yew is an exceptionally versatile evergreen, capable of serving multiple purposes such as creating screens, hedges or ground cover. One of its most striking features is the stark contrast between its bright green foliage and dark green needles. What’s more impressive is that it can thrive in full shade, making it one of the few varieties of evergreens that can tolerate low-light conditions. According to Nature Hills, this evergreen has a multitude of uses.
Winecraft Black Smokebush
When it comes to Smokebush, its deciduous nature makes it a versatile option for gardening enthusiasts. Not only can it be pruned and trimmed as a tree or shrub, but each variety also offers a unique fall foliage display, showcasing its vibrant colors. For instance, the Winecraft variety boasts a striking deep red hue, making it a standout in any landscape.
Winter Gem Boxwood
Boxwood shrubs, particularly the Winter Gem variety, are a top choice for adorning the front of your home. This versatile evergreen thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it an excellent option for various outdoor settings. Its small, shiny leaves remain on the branches throughout the seasons, providing year-round visual appeal. A low-maintenance plant, Winter Gem is simple to prune and maintain, allowing you to effortlessly shape it into a variety of forms.
Whether you’re seeking a formal or informal garden design, this bushy evergreen can be used to create geometric shapes like circles and cones or even employed as edging for a beautifully manicured lawn.
Lavender
When considering low-growing shrubs for your front yard, small spaces can be easily enhanced by selecting varieties that won’t overwhelm the area. Lavender is an excellent choice, boasting a modest footprint while still making a lasting impression. Not only does it occupy a relatively compact space, but its distinctive fragrance also provides a warm and inviting welcome to visitors as they approach the front door.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When it comes to planting shrubs near a house, it’s essential to choose low-growing varieties that won’t obstruct the flow of air around the foundation. Yew, juniper, boxwood, and holly are all excellent options for this purpose, as they require minimal maintenance and can thrive in close proximity to the house. However, it’s crucial to ensure a 3-foot clearance between each shrub and the house to allow for proper airflow.
For a striking entrance display, consider combining native shrubs or boxwood with evergreen foliage and adding some vibrant flowers to create a visually appealing arrangement that welcomes visitors to your home.
