Whether you’re into classic, well-manicured American suburban landscape design, or favor a more natural look featuring native shrubs, you probably have some type of foundation plant around the perimeter of your house (or at least the parts visible from the street).
These hardworking plants, flowers, shrubs, and bushes can change the look of your home, introducing a variety of textures and colors, and adding visual interest. But not all greenery is up to the task. Here are a few examples of the best foundation plants.
What makes a good foundation plant?
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When selecting foundation plants, it’s important to consider how much work you want to put into maintaining them—which, for most people, is as little as possible. For that reason, perennials, shrubs, and bushes are popular picks.
Also, before making a purchase, check to see whether a plant is able to survive in your USDA Hardiness Zone, and that the amount of sunlight it will get along the sides of your house meets its needs.
There are other factors to consider—like color, height, growth rate, blooming season, and shape—but those are more specific to your climate, property, and design preferences.
Best foundation plants and shrubs
Again, finding the best foundation plants for you has a lot to do with your local conditions and the amount of sunlight they’ll get as they surround your house, but here are a few examples of popular foundation plants and shrubs that are (relatively) easy to maintain:
- Hydrangeas
- Spireas
- False cyprus
- Inkberry holly
- Allium (ornamental onion)
- Azaleas
- Stonecrop
- Phlox
- Boxwood
- Daylilies
- Yucca
- Hostas
- Mock orange
- Dogwood
- Arborvitae
- Deutzia
- Agapanthus
- Peonies
- Astilbe
- Elderberry
- Carex
- Dwarf lilacs
- Juniper
- Coral bells
- Weigela
- Catmint
- Abelia
And, as always, when in doubt, contact your local extension office for advice on selecting foundation plants that best suit your region and the growing conditions around your home.