Best small bushes for front of house
21 Best Shrubs & Perennials For The Front Of House
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Foundation plants are the first thing people see when they come to your home. So it’s important to choose the ones that looks the best. In this post, I share a list of my favorite perennials and shrubs for landscaping around your house.
One of the best ways to increase curb appeal in front of your house is to use stunning foundation plants.
From evergreen bushes to flowering perennials, there are many landscaping ideas you can use to add visual interest to your home.
Don’t be overwhelmed by all the choices. This guide will show you the best foundation shrubs and perennials, so you’ll be able to pick out your favorites without any stress.
What Are Foundation Plants?
Foundation plants started as a way to hide the unsightly cement or blocks around the base of newly constructed homes.
Now people add them around their house to enhance the beauty, and break up the monotonous look of a treeless yard, or siding that reaches to the ground.
Landscapers use a mixture of bushes, flowers, and shrubs as a way to create artistic visual interest.
With the right shape, size and color, you can draw someone’s eye around your yard, up the walk, and to the front door. It’s like interior design, but outdoors.
Related Post: How To Design A Front Yard Foundation Planting
When you are looking for foundation plants, these are the attributes that are the most important:
- Choose shorter varieties – If they are too tall, they could block windows, and cause problems for gutters or drainage.
- Add visual interest – Use a range of heights, textures, and colors to create your desired look.
- Keep sunlight needs in mind – If the front of your house receives constant sunlight or full shade, make sure you choose plants that will respond well to it.
- Go for symmetry – Whether you try to use mirror images on both sides of your house, or add visual interest with an asymmetrical design, this list will give you many options.
- Pick ones that look great year-round – Evergreen shrubs or perennials with winter interest will keep your front garden from looking bare during the colder seasons.
Related Post: 17 Best Ground Cover Plants That Grow Well In The Shade
21 Foundation Plants & Shrubs For Front Of House
I split up the list into two sections to make it easier for you to find what you need. First, we will look at the best shrubs for the front of your house.
Then, you will discover the most popular flowers and perennials that you can use to dress up your home landscaping quickly.
Best Shrubs To Plant In Front Of The House
Shrubs and bushes are the most popular foundation plants for the front of the house. They’re easy to care for, make the best base for corners, and anchor your landscaping. Below are some good options.
1. Boxwood
One of the most common foundation shrubs is the boxwood because it’s easy to shape with some hedge trimmers.
These evergreen bushes can reach 6-8’, and do well in partial to full sun. Most people use them as the base or backdrop for their landscaping, and place other colorful specimens around them.
2. Roses
This classic bush comes in a bunch of different shapes and sizes.
You can find them in just about any hue from pink or red, to yellow, orange, and even shades of white, blue, or purple. Simply choose your favorite colors.
Roses also have a variety of heights. Find them in dwarf forms that only reach 1-3’, or larger shrubs and climbers that can get anywhere from 8-20’ tall.
3. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are another fantastic way to add pops of color to the front of your house.
Their showy flowers bloom in the late summer or early fall. They come in varieties with either pink, green, blue, purple, or even white blossoms.
They do best in zones 4-9, and can reach heights of either 4-6’ or 6-8’, depending on the type you own. Learn how to grow hydrangeas here.
Hydrangeas are popular foundation shrubs4. Japanese Maple
A much taller option is the Japanese maple, which you can find either as a bush or in a small tree form.
Some of the bush varieties reach 12-15’, and the trees can be 15-20’. So make sure you give them plenty of space, and don’t put them too close to your house.
They are breathtaking in the fall when the leaves change from green to a vibrant red. This deciduous tree or shrub does best in zones 6-9 with full sun.
5. Juniper
This common evergreen shrub is often used by the pros as the bones or an anchor in front yard landscape design.
The juniper is known for its unmistakable berries that grow in between the pines on some species.
It’s a conifer that prefers full sun, and can reach 4-6’. The ones that make the best foundation plants are those that stay closer to the ground, rather than the ones that look like tall trees.
6. Dogwood
In general there are two basic types of dogwoods, a tree and a shrub. While the trees look great, at 15-20’ they can be a bit too large to put right next to your house.
The bushes do best in full sun, and can reach 8-12’. Both are deciduous and thrive in zones 5-8.
Some will even bloom in mid-spring, with lovely pink or white flowers that are highly fragrant and attractive to pollinators.
Dogwood are good bushes for front of house7. Elderberry
The elderberry is a pretty specimen that bears edible fruit. The sweet berries can be used to make jams and deserts, and the birds love feasting on them too.
Though it prefers full sun, it can do well in partial shade as well. This beautiful bush is hardy in zones 3-9, where it can reach 8-10’.
In the late spring and early summer it blooms with white flowers, which are a delightful contrast to the dark maroon foliage.
8. Dwarf Lilac
The dwarf lilac is a fantastic way to line your sidewalks or add color to the front of your house.
Reaching 4-6’ tall, this shrub is easy to trim into stunning round shapes, and small enough to make the perfect foundation plant.
It does best in zones 3-7. In late spring it will come alive with pink or fuchsia blooms that smell heavenly.
9. Weigela
If you’re looking for a bush that has good fall colors to brighten up your yard, try weigela. It does best in sun or partial shade in zones 5-9.
It reaches 36-48” tall, though dwarf varieties can be much smaller. The flowers bloom in late spring and early summer with pink, red, or white petals.
Unfortunately, they aren’t fragrant when they bloom. But the brilliant colors are stunning, and really stand out against the light green foliage.
Weigela flowering shrub next to the house10. Mock Orange
Don’t let the name fool you. The mock orange has white flowers that look and smell like those on an orange tree, but it doesn’t produce any fruit.
Also known as English dogwood, this large bush towers at 8-10’, and prefers partial shade in zones 4-8.
The highly fragrant blooms appear in late spring and early summer. Place them near a window so you can enjoy the heavenly aroma inside your home when they’re in full bloom.
11. Azalea / Rhododendron
There are lots of types of azalea and rhododendron that you can choose from. All of them are dazzling.
Growing anywhere from 36-48” for the dwarf varieties, or as large as 10-12’ for larger ones, they prefer shade and acidic soil.
They are the epitome of spring in zones 3-8, blooming in late spring with showy flowers and bright colors.
From whites to pinks and shades of purple, to red, orange, and even yellow, they dress up a home’s front landscape.
12. Spirea
With tons of different varieties to choose from, spirea is a popular foundation shrub because it stays fairly small. Most will only reach 24-36” tall.
It’s also a favorite because it’s resistant to deer, and does well in a wide range of zones, from 4 to 9.
The foliage is pretty, and the pink or white blossoms appear in mid-spring.
Spirea shrubs in front of house13. Japanese Yew
Another great anchor, the Japanese yew is a low-maintenance coniferous bush that looks captivating in the winter.
The shortest ones, which are 8-10’, make the best foundation shrubs. The taller ones can reach 15-20’, and are better to use farther away from your house.
This is a popular choice for evergreen privacy, and a nice addition to any front garden bed.
Best Foundation Perennials
When it comes to picking out foundation perennial plants, you have a ton to choose from.
The best ones will depend on the color, size, and shape of your home and the existing landscaping. Here are some of my favorites.
14. Lilies
Lilies add artistic beauty to the front of your home, and there are so many varieties that you can pick from.
The sizes range from 1-3’ for the shorter ones, all the way up to an impressive 8’ for the tallest. Though the hardiness varies depending on the species, you can find them for just about any zone.
Most will bloom in late spring or early summer and have stunning, often fragrant, flowers that come in an array of patterns and colors.
15. Hostas
With solid or multicolored leaves that look like they came straight out of a painting, hostas add visual interest to your landscaping.
They only reach 18-28” tall and wide, and do best in shady spots in zones 3-8.
The trumpet-shaped blossoms appear in late summer, and can be anywhere from pale or light purple to white.
Using hostas as foundation plants16. Astilbe
Also called false goat’s beard, astilbe has bold red, white, or pink flowers that bloom in mid-spring and early summer.
The colors are electric, and really command attention. They are also fantastic for cutting and adding to your indoor bouquet.
This excellent foundation plant will reach 18-24” and, depending on the variety, can thrive in anywhere from partial shade to full sun in zones 4-9. Learn exactly how to grow astilbe here.
17. Iris
There are hundreds of species of this romantic flower that you can choose from. The most popular is the bearded iris.
Depending on the type you choose, they can reach anywhere from 24-36”. The spiky foliage makes a great backdrop, and the blossoms open in the spring.
They come in a variety of colors, from lavender or blue, to yellow, white, pink, salmon, and dark purple. Some smell wonderful too.
18. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Also called coral bells, Heucheras add vibrance and texture, and are a classic addition to any landscape.
When the pink or white flowers bloom in early summer, they can reach 18”. But the foliage is the star of the show, and you can find them in just about any color of the rainbow.
They can thrive anywhere from shade to full sun in zones 4-9, and can tolerate drought conditions.
Coral bells add color around house foundation19. Phlox
Very broadly, there are two popular kinds of phlox: tall and creeping. Both require full sun, and are hardy in zones 4-8.
Tall varieties do well in partial shade to full sun, and get to be 36-48”. They have fragrant white, pink, purple, or magenta blooms that appear around the middle of summer.
The creeping ones have a sprawling habit, and barely reach 6” tall. They bloom in early spring, and also come in various colors.
20. Yucca
The yucca is an effortless choice for beginners. These tough evergreen perennials are perfect for drier soils that are typical around a house foundation.
It’s rounded shape with lots of sharp-pointed leaves is easy to spot. Though most commonly used as a desert perennial in zones 9-11, there are cold-hardy varieties that can survive down to zone 3.
When it blooms in late spring, the tall flower spikes stick straight out of the center. They’re usually either pale yellow, pink, or a shade of white, and smell amazing.
The bloom spikes stay short on some types, only reaching 18-36″, while others can get up to 30′ tall. When not in bloom, the foliage is only 18-24”.
21. Peony
There are a bunch of varieties of peonies you can choose from, with a range of different sizes and colors.
The most common one for people to use as foundation perennials is the Chinese peony. It grows 24-36”, and thrives in full exposure.
The showy flowers are well known for their intoxicating fragrance, and bloom in late spring and early summer in zones 2-8. Learn how to care for peonies here.
Peonies planted at the corner of my houseWith this list of the best foundation plants for the front of your house, you’re sure to find tons of options. Add some visual interest and beauty to your home with any of these stunning bushes, shrubs, and perennials.
Recommended Books
- Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass
- New Front Yard Idea Book: Entries, Driveways, Pathways, Gardens
- Create Amazing Combinations with Your Favorite Perennials
- Perennial Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic
More About Flower Gardening
- 15 Partial Shade Shrubs For Your Garden
- 17 Colorful & Gorgeous Shade Garden Plants
- Create A Bee-Friendly Garden To Help Save The Bees
- 17 Pink Flowers For Your Garden (Annuals & Perennials)
- 19 Long Blooming Perennials For A More Beautiful Flower Garden
Share you favorite types of foundation plants in the comment section below.
Low Growing Shrubs for the Front of the House: 16 Great Choices
Attractive low growing shrubs for the front of the house are great for reducing yard maintenance. While most gardeners love to work in their garden, they may not love pruning their shrubs every year. One way to make landscaping easier while increasing your home’s curb appeal is to move beyond the typical overgrown azaleas and rhododendron and choose foundation plant varieties that stay compact. The list of 16 low growing bushes featured in this article consists of both evergreen shrubs and flowering choices. They’re the perfect solution for homeowners who don’t enjoy pruning!
Finding the right low growing shrubs for your foundation plantings is a key to reducing maintenance.Why low growing shrubs for the front of the house are best
Dwarf shrubs for the front of the house are a wise choice for several reasons. Aside from their minimal pruning requirements, many of these compact shrubs for front yards are evergreen and provide year-round interest to the landscape, while others produce beautiful blooms. Some even have interesting bark. Plus, many of these low growing shrubs for the front yard produce flowers that support bees and other pollinators. And lastly, as you’ll see in the plant profiles below, most exhibit extensive cold hardiness, some as far down as USDA zone 3.
6 Flowering low growing shrubs for the front of the houseI’ll start by introducing you to 6 deciduous low growing shrubs for the front of the house. These gorgeous flowering shrub choices stay compact yet still provide color and texture to your foundation plantings.
Dwarf Korean lilac shrubs produce fragrant blooms in the spring.Dwarf Korean lilac (
Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’)This flowering shrub produces lovely, pink to purple, sweet smelling flowers in late spring. Requiring full sun, the bushes top out at 4 to 5 feet in height, without pruning. It makes a great compact flowering hedge, and the foliage not prone to powdery mildew like traditional lilacs are. It flowers profusely and is hardy down to -30°F. When it comes to low growing shrubs for the front of the house, the deer-resistant dwarf Korean lilac is a real stunner.
Little Lime hydrangea blooms profusely yet stays small.Dwarf hydrangea Little Lime® (
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’)Little Lime hydrangea produces panicle-shaped clusters of light green to white blooms in summer and is hardy to -30°F. Topping out at 5 feet in height, it thrives in full sun to part shade. Like other hydrangeas, Little Lime prefers moist soil. It’s a multi-stemmed shrub and is especially easy to care for. Unlike mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) whose buds often freeze out in cold climates, the flowers on Little Lime are produced on stems that develop in the spring, so there’s no risk of the buds freezing out. This compact hydrangea looks so lovely in front of a house. Guests will no doubt ask about this beauty. The smooth hydrangeas (H. arborescens), such as ‘Annabelle’, are another group of low growing shrubs for the front of the house worth growing. Their blooms are globe shaped rather than being panicle shaped.
Summersweet Clethra is a must-have if you love summer blooms.Summersweet Clethra (
Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’)If you’re looking for a low growing bush for foundation plantings that produces pretty summertime blooms, Clethra is my top choice. This compact variety attracts several types of bees and butterflies. It handles everything from full sun to heavy shade (though it won’t bloom quite as well with less than 4 hours of sun per day). Reaching a maximum height of just 4 feet and winter hardy in zones down to -30°F, it even tolerates wet soils. This is a cultivar of a North American native plant that’s very easy to grow. ‘Hummingbird’ is known for its slow growth and compact, mounded shape. It also produces more creamy white flowers than the straight species.
Virginia sweetspire is a lovely shrub and ‘Little Henry’ is a compact variety.Dwarf Virginia Sweetspire (
Itea virginica ‘Sprich’)Known as the Little Henry® sweetspire, this full sun, low growing shrub for in front of the house produces drooping, cylindrical spires of white flowers in early spring. The stems are red-hued which adds another element of interest. In autumn, the foliage of this compact shrub turns a brilliant orange or red. It is hardy to -20°F and thrives in full sun to partial shade. The blooms strut their stuff anytime from early June to late July. Damp to wet soil is preferred, but as long as you don’t let the soil get bone dry, Virginia sweetspire will do just fine. This is a dwarf cultivar of a North American native shrub.
Shrubby Cinquefoil produces vivid summer color in the landscape.Shrubby Cinquefoil (
Potentilla fruticosa, syn. Dasiphora fruticosa)In the summertime, there are few low growing shrubs for the front of the house that outshine the cinquefoil. Smothered in bright yellow, orange, pink, or white blooms (depending on the variety), this pretty, compact shrub is a vigorous grower for full sun to part shade conditions. It is attractive to bees and butterflies and survives winters down to -30°F. Growing to a maximum height of just 4 feet, the soft, feathery shape of this shrub is quite distinct. It makes a great deer-resistant flowering hedge or foundation plant. If you trim off the spent flowers, the bush often reblooms and may even be in near-continual flower from early summer through autumn.
‘Little Princess’ spirea is bursting with pink blooms by mid-summer.Spirea ‘Little Princess’ (
Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’)Japanese spirea has long been adored for its low maintenance requirements and reliable blooms. But many varieties grow too large for the front of the house without regular pruning. ‘Little Princess’ is a dwarf shrub that stays super compact, topping out at a height of just 30 inches! It produces flat-topped clusters of pink flowers from late spring through summer. Not only is this compact Japanese spirea easy to grow (just provide full sun), it is also deer resistant and handles a wide range of soil conditions. The growth is dense and rounded.
10 Evergreen low growing shrubs for the front of the houseNext, let’s look at some low growing shrubs for the front of the house that are evergreen. Because they hold onto their green leaves or needles year-round, they’re a prime choice for almost any climate, except for very warm ones. Their evergreen foliage provides shelter for winter birds and looks lovely when topped with a light layer of snow. Let’s meet 10 compact, low maintenance evergreen shrubs for the front yard.
Dwarf mugo pine is deer resistant and evergreen.Dwarf Mugo Pine (
Pinus mugo cultivars)There are several varieties of mugo pine that are compact and make perfect low growing shrubs for the front of the house. They are drought resistant, deer resistant, and can be used as a great low hedge. Regular mugo pines grow large (up to 20 feet in height) so be sure to look for dwarf varieties, including the dwarf mugo pine (P. mugo variety pumilio) which reaches just 5 feet tall, ‘Teeny’ which tops out at a mere 1 foot tall, and ‘Paul’s Dwarf’ which grows to 3 feet. All are fully evergreen, non-flowering, and very low maintenance. Hardy down to -40°F. Full sun is best. Deer resistant.
Dwarf Hinoki cypress is a personal favorite due to its deep green color and fan-shaped needle clusters.Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (
Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’)Though the deer absolutely adore feasting on the green foliage of this shrub, I won’t garden without it. I have two, and both are covered with a layer of deer netting year-round. I find them to be the finest of the low growing shrubs for the front of the house because their deep green, fan-shaped foliage is so distinctive. An Asian native, dwarf Hinoki cypress are very slow growing. It takes 10 to 15 years for them to reach their maximum height of 6 feet. Plant this foundation plant in full to partial sun and avoid waterlogged soils. The straight species grows very tall, so be sure to seek out the dwarf form. It’s quite winter hardy, down to about -30°F.
Round Arborvitae (
Thuja occidentalis varieties)Most gardeners are probably familiar with tall, pyramidal-shaped arborvitae varieties, but did you know there are also compact arborvitae that are globe-shaped? I love these little cuties! One of my favorites is Mr. Bowling Ball®, but other options are ‘Little Gem’, ‘Hetz Midget’ and ‘Globe’. In late winter, when covered with a dusting of snow, these petite shrubs are extra fun. New growth emerges in spring, but there’s no need to prune this shrub to keep it round and compact. Skip this plant if you have a problem with deer. Choose a full sun to partial shade location and plan for a height of 3 feet. Most are hardy to -40° F.
Dwarf globe blue spruce has unmistakable blue-green foliage.Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce (
Picea pungens ‘Globosa’)Deer resistant? Check! Pest and disease resistant? Check! Compact growth habit? Check! Unique foliage color? Check! And those aren’t the only traits this fun shrub for the front yard possesses. It’s also very hardy (-40°F), drought tolerant, and fun as all get out. Think of it as a classic blue spruce shrunk down to a tiny size. Dwarf Globe blue spruce reaches 4 feet tall and wide at maturity, but it struggles in climates with very hot summers.
Bird’s nest spruce shrubs have been popular in gardens for many years.Bird’s Nest Spruce (
Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’)Another compact spruce variety, bird’s nest spruce has long been a favorite in the category of low growing shrubs for the front of the house. It’s been around for decades. Picea abies is known as the Norway spruce, and the straight species is a massive tree that grows to over 150 feet tall. However, this cultivar grows just a few feet in height and does so very slowly, taking several decades to reach maturity. The flattened tops of these compact shrubs look a bit like a bird’s nest, hence the common name. Hardy to -30°F and preferring full sun, it is deer resistant.
The variegated foliage of ‘Emerald n Gold’ Wintercreeper is a fun addition to the winter landscape.Emerald and Gold Wintercreeper (
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald n Gold’)If you’re looking for variegated low growing shrubs for the front of the house, then this is the choice for you. The glossy, evergreen leaves are a combination of golden yellow and rich green. It’s so low growing that some gardeners grow it as a groundcover. Emerald and gold wintercreeper has great winter interest and tolerates lousy soils and shade (though the color is best in full to partial sun). This plant has been classified as invasive in some growing zones, so be sure to check with your state’s database for invasive plants before introducing it to your garden.
Rockspray cotoneaster plants produce bright berries in the fall and winter.Rockspray Cotoneaster (
Cotoneaster horizontalis)Admittedly I’m not a huge fan of this shrub, but it’s for a silly reason. The arching stems make it challenging to clean leaves out in the autumn. Not a critical fault, to be sure, but one that has kept me from planting it in my own garden. However, if a persnickety leaf clean up isn’t a concern of yours, then consider the rockspray cotoneaster for the front of your house. This low-growing shrub is a broadleaf evergreen. It produces small pink to white flowers in the spring, followed by clusters of orange or red berries in the fall. The spray-like branches arch out from the trunk, giving it an almost cascading look. Hardy to -20°F, choose a site that receives full to partial sun. Avoid in southern locations with hot summers.
Compact shrubs like Juniper ‘Blue Chip’ cover the ground and smother weeds.Creeping Juniper (
Juniperus horizontalis)A fast-growing ground cover, this low growing shrub is very popular. Reaching a height of just 18 inches with a spread up to 8 feet wide, it’s a great dwarf shrub for covering a lot of ground. Its evergreen needles are a lovely blue-green and it’s both deer and drought resistant. Full sun is best for this North American native shrub that’s hardy to -40°F. Though it has few insect pests, creeping juniper can develop fungal blight which leads to dieback of the stems and can be spread by pruning equipment. All the more reason to never prune this low growing shrub! It looks great along the front walk or on front yard slopes.
There are many varieties of dwarf boxwoods that never need to be pruned.Dwarf Boxwoods (
Buxus species and varieties)Boxwood is a very popular shrub for the front of the house because it is deer-resistant and easy to care for. Standard English boxwood and Japanese boxwood varieties grow large and need to be pruned yearly, but compact dwarf varieties like ‘Green Pillow’, ‘Baby Gem’, ‘Green Mound’, ‘Morris Midget’, and others are a great bet if you don’t want to have to prune. Partial shade to full sun is best. Some dwarf boxes only reach a foot in height, while others top out at 3 to 4 feet. Pay attention to the plant tag to be sure you are choosing the best variety for your needs.
Inkberry hollies produce small dark berries that the birds enjoy.Inkberry Holly (
Ilex glabra)The lovely dark green leaves of the inkberry holly are spineless and evergreen, and they make it among the finest of the low growing shrubs for the front of the house. Inkberry holly thrives in conditions from full sun to full shade. It’s one of those low maintenance shrubs that everyone asks about because it’s not very common (though it should be because it’s a terrific choice!). Barely noticeable flowers appear in spring, but they are soon followed by dark black berries that feed many different species of birds through the winter months. These plants need minimal pruning and top out at 8 feet tall. The shape is naturally rounded. The cultivar ‘Shamrock’ is among the most compact and worth seeking out. Native to eastern North America, the inkberry holly is hardy to -30°F.
How to plant low growing shrubs for the front of the house
As you can see, there are so many great low growing shrubs for the front of the house. Combine several species together to create an interesting design. Plan for 3 to 5 of each species to create small masses of the same texture and color. I’m sure you’ll find these compact shrubs to be easy to care for and an enjoyable addition to your front yard for many years to come.
For more great shrubs for the garden, please visit these articles:
- Late season shrubs for fall beauty
- Dark-leaved shrubs
- Low maintenance shrubs
- The best early-flowering shrubs
- Flowering shrubs for the shade
Pin this article to your Landscaping Ideas board!
Shrubs near the house: selection criteria and varieties
Planting plays an important role in the arrangement of the territory near the house. Planting various trees, shrubs and flowers will be able to decorate the site, will be the finishing touch in the overall picture of the landscape.
Contents
Selection criteria
By following the basic recommendations of specialists in choosing types of bushes, you can cope with the task of ennobling the area in front of the house and the front fence on your own. The correct selection of options, taking into account all the important points in the future, will provide an excellent result - beautiful and well-groomed plantings. nine0003
What to pay attention to when planning planting bushes in the local area:
- Possibility of growing in the region.
- Plant height and other characteristics.
- Decorative (seasonal or year-round).
- Winter hardiness and categorization by zones.
- Quality of planting material.
- Climatic conditions.
- Presence of utility pipes at depth in the ground.
- Location.
- The need for shelter for the winter. nine0014
- Unpretentiousness.
- Pruning and the need to form a crown.
- Soil.
- Placement of wires of power lines.
- Distance to fences, walls, outbuildings.
- Shade and sunlight.
- Groundwater level.
- Care and watering.
General recommendations
Experienced gardeners recommend choosing shrubs that are adapted to cultivation in a particular region. nine0003
This will provide confidence in their further successful cultivation. Planting too exotic varieties that are not typical for most regions of the country is fraught with a high risk that the plant will not be able to endure a frosty winter. It is better to focus on those that were bred in Russia and were tested by the low temperatures of the cold season.
In addition to the decorative component, planting shrubs with a highly branched crown will reduce the draft from the side of the site without protection - fences or walls. nine0003
Also, many summer residents, in order to save money or not be able to build a front fence, often plant seedlings of bushes as a hedge. With proper care and timely pruning, they can fully replace the usual options from slate or boards. For them, it is recommended to choose fast-growing species that are easy to form, for example, columnar arborvitae. Undersized or medium-sized bushes look more harmonious. Plants with spreading or drooping branches in front of the house will provide additional shade. nine0003
The easiest way to make a structure for a hedge is a support and wire:
- Dig (concrete) low posts from a metal pipe in increments of 0.8-1.0 m.
- Pull and fix strong twine, rope or wire.
- Plant bushes in a row with posts. You need to plant seedlings often, it is better to choose low-growing varieties with a massive crown.
The combination of flowering time looks especially impressive. This approach ensures the creation of a constantly flowering composition throughout the warm season. Adding crops that do not lose their decorative appearance even in winter will allow them to be admired all year round. nine0003
As a rule, in large areas it is customary to plant plants with a massive crown, which, as they grow, will take up a lot of space. On small ones - compact or miniature options.
The list of shrubs that can be planted near the house will vary depending on the geographical location of the estate and, accordingly, the climatic conditions in which the plant will grow.
Classification
Based on the characteristics of growth, appearance and other characteristics, shrubs are divided into several categories. nine0003
By flowering time:
- spring;
- summer;
- autumn.
Depending on ambient temperature:
- frost resistant;
- thermophilic.
By fruit formation:
- fruit-bearing;
- blooming.
Mature height:
- high;
- medium;
- low.
Lighting required:
- shade-tolerant;
- sun-loving.
For shedding leaves for the winter:
- evergreen;
- deciduous.
Life span:
- annuals;
- perennial.
Watering requirements:
- moisture-loving;
- drought tolerant.
Moscow region
The climatic conditions of the region are characterized by low temperatures for almost half of the year. The establishment of stable minus values occurs in November, a steady warming occurs in late April - early May. The height of the snow cover varies from year to year. nine0003
Japanese quince
An unpretentious ornamental culture native to Asia, another name is Henomeles. It grows no more than 3 m, is characterized by a wide range of flower colors: from pale pink to red and orange. For cultivation in the Moscow region, interspecific hybrids or varieties with resistance to low temperatures are suitable:
- Nico line.
- Pink lady.
- Yukigoten.
- Zubutlinskaya.
Star Action
Often planted near Moscow near lilacs and coniferous crops, it blends beautifully with them due to the softness of the transition of tones. In autumn, green leaves change color to bright yellow and crimson. Better adapted to the conditions of the region:
- graceful;
- Amur;
- rough.
Planting should be carried out in early May, so that the young seedling can better take root before the hot weather sets in.
Common lilac
The most popular variant for growing in the Moscow region, characterized by large inflorescences and flowers of various shades:
- white;
- blue;
- purple;
- magenta;
- pink.
It is recommended to plant varieties with compact low bushes in front of the house. They look neat, and when planting several lilac bushes of different colors, they complement and set off each other. Most popular in the region:
- Buffon.
- Flora 1953.
- Henri Robert.
- Katherine Have Meyer.
- Madame Charles Souchet.
- Edward Harding.
Interesting: Persian lilac varieties
Forsythia
Also known as forsythia, it has a wide variety. With the onset of heat, bright yellow flowers appear, the bush looks elegant and spectacular. For cultivation in the region, full compliance with agrotechnical requirements and shelter for the winter is necessary. In winters with little snow, freezing of branches that were not covered with snow can be observed. Such areas are to be cut in the spring. The most frost-resistant species is Siebold's forsythia.
Also common in the region:
- Bodinier Profusion.
- Lavender.
- Vangutta spirea.
Siberia
Not every ornamental plant can withstand the cold winters of Siberia. Therefore, gardeners call the main facts when choosing shrubs their unpretentiousness and the ability to painlessly survive frosts and a dense snow layer.
Blood red hawthorn
It is characterized by lush pink flowers, also considered a honey plant. The maturity of the fruits - red berries - comes at the end of summer, they keep on the branches until the cold snap arrives. It is used in single plantings and as a hedge. nine0003
Hydrangea paniculata
Grows up to 2 m, dwarf varieties - up to 1 m. Lush flowering, large inflorescences. Among the winter-hardy varieties that are grown in Siberia, the most popular are:
- Bobo.
- Lime light.
- Magical fire.
- Pink diamond.
- Skyfall.
- Sparkling.
To prevent the branches of the bush from breaking under the weight of snow in winter, many gardeners tie them to a support. Shelter for the winter is also practiced with various improvised means. nine0003
Potentilla
One of the popular options in landscape design, used both in group compositions with higher components, and in single specimen plantings. Looks harmoniously as a low fence or border decoration. It is characterized by the duration of flowering - from June to October.
Mock orange
It is considered a popular decoration of the facade of the house and garden not only in Siberia, but also in many other regions of the country. An unpretentious species with incredibly fragrant lush flowers. The best cold-resistant domestic varieties are Unusual, Academician Komarov. nine0003
Planting in compositions or singly of the following crops is also practiced:
- Weigela blooming.
- Action.
- Derain white.
- Japanese keriya.
- Schisandra chinensis.
- Deciduous barberry.
- Cossack juniper.
- Cuneiform vesicle.
- Dahurian rhododendron.
- Snowberry.
- Spirea.
- Chaenomeles.
Ural
The harsh climate of the area and some features of the soil require the gardener to carefully select plants. The main requirements are resistance to strong cold winds and low temperatures. Abundant snowfall and high humidity in summer also affect the growth and development of crops. nine0003
Barberry
On the plain, the bush, subject to the basic requirements of agricultural technology, provides abundant flowering and fruiting. Can tolerate some shade but prefers well lit areas. Actively responds to shaping and pruning. Most often planted tightly using trellis or wire.
See also: Varieties of barberry
Derain
The culture is characterized by the preservation of decorativeness even in winter conditions - bright red stems without leaves against the background of a snow-white cover look original and spectacular. Highly resistant to frost and summer heat. Periodic pruning during the warm season allows you to create a neat alley or fence. nine0003
Cotoneaster
Deciduous, slow growing shrub. It looks beautiful as a hedge - small red apple fruits are placed against the background of bright green leaves. Differs in undemanding to the soil, gives in to pruning.
Snowberry
Unusual bush with great resistance to low temperatures. The berries stay on the branches even under a high cover of snow. Depending on the variety, their color can be red, pink or white. nine0003
Also in the Urals there are such crops as:
- Blueberries.
- Honeysuckle.
- Myrtle willow.
- Magonia.
- Juniper.
- Currant.
- Spirea.
- Rosehip.
Middle zone
In the central zone of Russia the climatic conditions are less severe, which makes it possible to grow winter-hardy plants of a wide range here.
Clematis
Liana shrub that grows along walls, outbuildings or fences. It grows well, there is a strong twist. It looks elegant as a decorating element of arbors and terraces. The best are:
- Allana.
- Anna German.
- Daches of Edinburgh.
- Elf.
Kalina
Tall shrub with beautiful fragrant inflorescences. The color of the flowers may vary depending on the variety. Fruits ripen in autumn - red berries.
Castor bean
In the climatic conditions of the country, it is grown through seedlings as an annual plant. With the advent of cold weather, it dies. It is a powerful tall palm bush with large leaves resembling stars. Planted singly or in groups. In the middle lane, the most common variety is Kazachka. nine0003
Rose
The climate of the region is favorable for the growth of climbing, park, hybrid tea or floribunda roses. They are more frost-resistant and unpretentious. It is better to choose roses grafted on wild rose. They grow faster and take root.
Popular roses:
- Baltimore Belle.
- Golden Wings.
- Dortmund.
- Lawrence Johnson.
Other crops found in the region:
- Barberry.
- Heather.
- Deren.
- Kalina.
- Cotoneaster.
- Potentilla.
- Lilac.
- Spirea.
- Rosehip.
The best winter-hardy shrubs that bloom all summer.
To create comfort in the backyard of a private house, it is necessary not only to create beautiful flower beds, but also to plant ornamental shrubs. With their help, many problems are solved. From dividing the space of the garden into zones and filling the site with flowering plants to enclosing it with a green living fence. nine0003
Beautiful flowering shrubs
Using flowering shrubs is more interesting. Some of them have an amazing aroma and literally transform the garden. They can be used in mixed plantings, mixborders, along fences to create compositions that bloom all summer from different plants that replace each other in terms of flowering.
This list of flowering shrubs may include the following plants:
- Budley. It resembles a lilac, can grow up to three meters. Color shades: pink and lavender, purple and white, and white. These beautiful shrubs will decorate the garden all summer because they bloom until frost. nine0014
- Potentilla. Inconspicuous plant, blooms with numerous, but medium-sized flowers, foliage is not particularly beautiful. However, not a single shrub border or mixborder can do without Potentilla: while other shrubs fade in turn, it creates a bright spot in the garden. They have established themselves as shrubs that bloom all summer, winter-hardy, as they are not afraid of frost. Flowering begins in May and stops with the first frost. It is unpretentious to the soil, blooms well both in a sunny place and in light partial shade, care comes down to annual pruning. There are varieties of this continuously flowering shrub of different colors. nine0014
- Calicant will decorate the garden with original water lilies. This is a beautiful, hardy, but rare shrub from North America. The flowers are large with numerous petals. All parts of the garden plant are fragrant. Blooms in June - July. Requires pruning in the spring.
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- Shrub rose. Varies greatly in bush size and flower shape. They bloom all summer or are characterized by re-blooming. nine0014
- Kariopteris will add blue hues to the garden, as its brushes have just such a color. This is a flowering shrub with a rounded crown for the front of the border. They are planted in groups. It is undemanding to the soil. Quite winter-hardy. Flowering time September - October. Need pruning shrubs in March.
- Cistus resembles poppy or non-double rose flowers, sometimes with spots at the base of the petals. Flowers with paper-thin petals are short-lived. Each flower lives only one day, but since new buds are constantly appearing, the bush blooms all summer. The plant is warm and photophilous, forms a low rounded bush. Does not tolerate clay soil. Flowering time June - August. Pruning in spring. nine0014
- Alder leaf prefers moist soil. It gets along well along the edges of ravines and by the pond. This shrub requires almost no care. It quickly spreads throughout the territory provided to it. Its feature is that flowers appear only on young shoots. Therefore, it is recommended to cut it every year. It blooms in summer (July - August) with small fragrant flowers, collected at the ends of the shoots in long spike-shaped inflorescences. In autumn, the foliage of the shrub is brightly colored. nine0014
Evergreen Shrubs
With regular and proper pruning, evergreen shrubs easily turn into a hedge or an unusual living sculpture that will become the center of a recreation area. To do this, it is enough to skillfully cut them. List of evergreen ornamental shrubs that can be planted in the garden:
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- Holly. Not afraid of frost. Grows over a meter. The oblong leaves are studded with thorns. Therefore, it is unpleasant to approach him closely. nine0014
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- Tis. Slow growing conifer, planted in hedges in mild climates. The usual color of the foliage is dark green, there are varieties with golden foliage, as well as various forms of growth - from ground cover to tall columnar trees. Better than many other conifers, it tolerates unfavorable growth conditions, but does not tolerate stagnant water at the roots during the cold season. The plant is dioecious, on females seeds are formed with a fleshy red roof up to 1 cm in diameter. Leaves and seeds are poisonous. nine0014
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- Boxwood a popular shrub for hedges, including low, bordering flower beds. It withstands frequent shearing and partial shade, is not afraid of the wind, and is undemanding to the soil. Keep in mind that boxwood is very easy to care for. He does not need annual pruning. Cut out only dry and thickening branches, and also shorten the elongated shoots.
- Calmia is a beautiful flowering shrub that pleases with its flowering in May - June. In a non-flowering state, Calmia is similar to a rhododendron, plants are easily distinguished by flowers. Kalmia has buds similar to Chinese lanterns, the edges of the petals are corrugated. Likes moist acidic soil and light partial shade. nine0014
- Calmia
- boxwood
- Yew
Garden Shade Shrubs
They are often used to create a smooth transition from grass cover to canopy. Shade-loving shrubs are also needed to create a beautiful design for fences and the shady side of a private house. The most common shade-tolerant shrubs are listed below. nine0003
- Cotoneaster. One of the most important ornamental beautiful fruiting shrubs in the garden. The genus includes plants of different shapes and sizes, most of them evergreen or semi-evergreen. The leaves are oval, with a solid edge, pink buds in May or June open to white flowers. In autumn, beautiful fruits ripen, which are practically not pecked by birds. Some cotoneasters have beautiful fall foliage. Strongly overgrown bushes are pruned in the spring. Valued for the unusual dark green color of glossy leaves. They tend to change color to red when autumn comes. nine0014
Cotoneaster
- Rhododendrons are beautiful flowering shrubs that like to be sheltered from the midday sun. Traditionally, representatives of the genus are divided into rhododendrons and azaleas. Rhododendrons growing in the shade on average reach a height of 1.5 meters, bloom in May, however, there are plants of both 30 cm and 6 m, blooming both in early spring and in autumn, in August. The color of the flowers is varied, with the exception of blue, the leaves are oval or oblong, wintering. All rhododendrons are characterized by shallow roots, so the soil under the plants is mulched, and watered abundantly in dry weather. nine0014
Rhododendrons
- Garden jasmine grows well in the sun and in the shade, but in the second case, its flowering will not be so intense. There are two groups of jasmine: bushy with weak stems, grown in wall plantings, and jasmine - creepers that are able to climb the wall, support themselves. Flowering time depends on the species. Grow in moderately fertile soil in partial shade.
Garden jasmine (shrub)
- Privet tolerates polluted air well, so it is most often grown in the hedges of private houses that overlook city streets. There are variegated varieties. It is characterized by the fact that it does not tolerate severe winter frosts, therefore it requires shelter. grows in any moderately fertile soil, in a sunny or shady place. propagated by lignified cuttings in open ground in late autumn. Of care, a haircut is required - hedges are cut in May and August. nine0087
- Thunberg Barberry are those ornamental flowering perennial shrubs that are beautiful, low and hardy. They are widely used in garden decoration, as they are represented by a large range of varieties. Various types of barberry are very common and popular. Barberry Thunberg grows up to 1.5 meters. The leaves of the shrub turn red in autumn, the berries ripen red. This beautiful shrub blooms in April - May. nine0087
- dogwood and barberry ; nine0014
- viburnum vesicle — unpretentious shrub with a rounded crown shape;
- sloe does not need extensive pruning, it is done only when denser vegetation is needed;
- honeysuckle sanitary pruning is required in the first seven years, and then it remains only to form a hedge of the desired shape;
- climbing rose , it is recommended to start shaping it in the second year of growth in a permanent place. nine0014
- vesicle
- climbing rose
- Honeysuckle
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- Japanese quince (low) throughout the warm season decorates the country house with orange or golden color, first with flowers, then with fruits;
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- Potentilla already mentioned above a;
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- common heather is also an evergreen shrub that blooms most of the summer;
- elegant action , its flowering shrubs are the center of attraction, but it is whimsical to excess moisture, severe frosts and cold winds.
- Japonica
- Heather
- blood red hawthorn - grown as a shrub, small tree or hedgerow, able to grow in almost any conditions, both in dry and waterlogged soil, in the sun and in the shade; nine0014
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- silver goof — grown not for fragrant, but nondescript flowers, but because of the beautiful foliage;
- red elderberry with beautiful foliage, on which red fruits form after the flowers.
- Goof silver
- Elder
- nine0514
- Hawthorn
Privet Oval Aureum
Thunberg's barberry
Fast growing shrubs
Gardeners choose them when a hedge needs to be grown in a short time. Often such plantings are made combined from different types of shrubs. In this case, you should carefully consider the issue of the future size of an adult plant and its relationship to a haircut.
The most popular fast growing shrubs are:
Low-growing and frost-resistant garden shrubs
The former are characterized by the fact that they do not grow above one meter. They are usually planted on the borders. They decorate flower beds. List of low-growing ornamental shrubs for the garden:
Mixborder of conifers and shrubs scheme
The word "mix" leads us to mix. The second part of the word - border - sends to the borders. It turns out that in such a landing there are no boundaries. But this is not true. It just seems so. In fact, everything here must be carefully thought out and planned.
Plants in a mixborder are supposed to have dense groups that smoothly flow into one another. Moreover, it must contain elements that will remain visible in the cold season. They are shrubs and conifers. They are also called the skeleton of the composition. nine0003
Any mixborder must be divided into three parts. They will not be the same in size and shape. In the background are planted tall plants with interesting leaves. The second row is filled with flowers that are characterized by straight and tall stems. They are covered with medium height with a small number of leaves. And stunted and ground cover plants come to the fore. Plantings of annual flowers are usually placed in front of them.
Here is one example of a perennial mixborder placed along a wall or fence. Its background is decorated with plants: lafanthus, purple echinacea, chatma and clematis. The middle is filled with shrubby cinquefoil, yarrow, fennel polygon, vervain bonar, boxwood, decorative wormwood and onions.