plants

One of the most helpful general rules of landscaping is that if you plant enough desirable plants, there won’t be room for the undesirable plants to grow. Using beautiful plants to choke out the unwanted weeds in your gardens is a great way to avoid hours of weed pulling and harmful chemical applications.

Vigorously growing groundcover plants are great for choking out weeds. They will add beauty to your outdoor space while being low-maintenance and beneficial in preventing weeds. Some of these ground covers are edible too, which is always nice for your cooking needs!

If you have a spot in your landscape with a weed problem, consider getting these low-growing, usually mat-forming plants. All of these plants have one thing in common; they grow densely enough to help prevent weed growth. Another plus is that these plants can often survive in places where other plants can’t. Using hardy ground covers for weed control might just be the best (and one of the easiest) things that you can do for your yard.

Be aware that vigorous growth and the ability to thrive in many varied environments will often cause a plant to be labelled as invasive, so use these plants carefully in your garden and pay attention to their growth habits so that they don’t overtake areas with more delicate plants.

Here is a list of plants that work great for choking out weeds

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Lily of the Valley is usually planted in gardens because of its fragrant flowers and ability to cover the ground in shady places. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit.

Lily of the Valley serves as a weed-suppressant and a beautiful sight with adorable white bells hanging from long green stems. This delicately scented perennial spreads quickly, so keep it in check by planting it in well maintained areas such as along walkways and in bordered beds. It likes to be in the shade, although it can tolerate some sunlight.

If humans or animals eat Convallaria majalis, it’s extremely poisonous, due to the high concentration of cardiac glycosides (cardenolides).

Many gardeners would criticize and worry about this plant, claiming that it is invasive. This is correct in a poor location, but it is especially useful in places where nothing else can grow.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox Subulata)

Carpets of Creeping Phlox in your yard can suppress weeds, especially on slopes that are difficult to mow. This plant is a resilient, reliable groundcover plant that’s common in rock gardens. Many phlox species and cultivars have a mild sweet smell.

These plants are cultivated for their prolific flowering; thus, if you have Phlox in your garden, butterflies will be present there too.

Some species are shrouded in flowers when in bloom, making it difficult to see any leaves. Almost all cultivars and wild species flower in the cool color spectrum, which includes white, purple, pink, magenta, blue, and purple.

Since creeping Phlox is evergreen, it’s suitable for thick groundcover or adorning stones and walls. While Phlox prefers damp, well-drained soils, it can adapt pretty well.

Tufted Creeping Phlox (Phlox Stolonifera)

Phlox Stolonifera thrives in moist, shady environments, where it successfully suppresses weed invasion.

This North American-native herbaceous perennial produces tiny pale pink or white flowers in the spring and has evergreen needle-like leaves. They don’t have the central band of color that the related Phlox subulata flowers have. Stolons or rooting runners are the reason for the specific epithet.

This groundcover is ideal for a shade garden, for use as butterfly nectar plants, or as part of a mass planting or grouping. Partially shaded woodlands or gardens with moist, well-drained soil will be the best for Phlox stolonifera. Its showy blooms make Phlox stolonifera a good option for cottage gardens, rock gardens, and low-maintenance plantings.

Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

The combination of Creeping junipers’ horizontally spreading roots and their dense growth form a thick mat that can keep weeds from getting through.

Creeping juniper is a slow-growing plant. It likes direct sunlight, tolerates drought, and can live in poor, dry soil. It adapts pretty well, so you can take advantage of it by planting in places you don’t have time to maintain! For instance, this plant is suitable for xeriscaping.

Creeping junipers are also useful for preventing soil erosion on slopes and hillsides. Creeping Juniper’s growth rate and plant size is linked to climate and site conditions. Without adequate sunlight, the foliage will be thin and wont do a very good job of limiting the weed growth.

Greek Yarrow (Achillea ageratifolia)

Greek Yarrow’s genus name, “Achillea,” originates from Achilles, the Greek war hero during the Trojan War who is said to have found it and used it to stop the flow of blood from his soldiers’ wounds.

The silvery, silky-textured foliage of Greek Yarrow forms a thick carpet that makes a tight groundcover. It’s a fantastic little evergreen weed suppressor (or, in this case, ever-grey). Over a blanket of silvery leaves, this tough groundcover grows pure white button daisy flowers that would look great with other flowers in your garden!

Greek yarrow blooms in the spring and produces buttons all summer and into the fall. This hardy little groundcover comes from the rough mountains of northern Greece, which are dry and hot. Once it’s established, it has great heat and drought tolerance. It can also live in low-quality, sandy, or rocky soils, which is where it thrives. It is also a perfect fit for windy gardens, especially near the beach!

Silver Mound (Artemisia schmidtiana)

The beautiful Artemisia schmidtiana is suitable as a stretching border for the flower bed, especially if you place it around your pathways or your perennial garden. Its beautiful, hairy silvery leaves stand out by making a nice contrast to all your vibrant green plants.

You will like that even in the hottest summers, the silky, sensitive foliage maintains its fine form and color. Who doesn’t want a drought-resistant plant that thrives in both dry and moist soil?

This particular plant species, also known as silver mound wormwood, is a small one. When distributed among big, thriving summer blooms, it acts as a hardy ground cover (grows only up to 14 inches), blocking out weeds which is always a good thing. Plus, its deer and rabbit resistance mean it’s a valuable mat-forming plant to have in your landscape.

Creeping Thyme (Thermus serpyllum)

Aside from adding beauty to your landscape, Creeping Thyme forms a dense mat that chokes out weeds quite effectively. In late spring, Creeping Thyme’s short mats get shrouded in tiny white or purple flowers, making it a pollinator’s paradise.

This hardy perennial spreads quickly, is cold-hardy, flourishes in full sun can grow even in poor quality soil, and, once established, is drought resistant. You can also cut some leaves to use for your food prep!

When crushed or extracted for teas or tinctures, creeping thyme, like other thyme varieties, has a taste and fragrance similar to mint. It is a species of the mint family Lamiaceae, after all.

An even more interesting thing about creeping thyme is that considering its appealing scent, it is deer resistant, rendering it an excellent landscape choice in places with lots of deer. Creeping thyme can also tolerate being tromped on, making it a great option for planting in areas with a lot of foot traffic.

Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum)

Lamium, or dead nettle, is a small perennial with a distinct appearance: square stem, silvery leaves, and purple, pink, or white flowers. It is a member of the mint family, native to temperate western Asia, Europe, and North Africa.

It’s called “deadnettle” since its leaves look like that of stinging nettles except without the sting (hence “dead”). Zones 3–8 are suitable for this herbaceous plant.

This low creeper likes to be in the shade, although it can handle some sunlight. It’s a good idea to use this plant as a groundcover in shaded places if you don’t mind it spreading rapidly to cover huge areas. It is effective in hiding deteriorating bulb foliage and choking out many weeds.

Creeping Jenny / Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a tough ground cover that thrives in zones 3 through 9. It likes moist environments. Although it can survive in part shade, it is best grown in full sun for the richest color.

It has round, penny-sized, shiny leaves and pretty yellow blooms on lengthy, trailing stems. Creeping Jenny rapidly occupies a broad area since it roots freely, the stems readily branch and establish mats, so it does a great job of choking out weeds.

This plant can definitely be invasive.

You can get Creeping Jenny to encircle your pond, flow down a wall, or surround a path. In mixed container gardens, it also works well as a spiller. Creeping jenny is flood tolerant, and it can survive in almost any environment: full sun, part shade, or even full shade, which will make you love it even more.

Dragon’s Blood Sedum (Sedum spurium)

Dragon’s Blood Sedum is a trailing, succulent mat of red-outlined dark green leaves and showy pink or red flowers in the summer. Other names for the tough Sedum spurium plant are Caucasian Stonecrop, Schorbuser Blut, and Two-row Stonecrop.

Like Creeping Jenny, Dragon’s Blood Sedum spreads quickly. That’s due to its freely rooting, ropy stems. When this ground cover is healthy, happy, and sufficiently dense, it’s powerful enough to suppress weeds, but it’s not an invasive plant.

It doesn’t want to be in the shade since it can’t deal with plants that rise taller and shade the soil.

Dragon’s Blood sedum plants die down during the winter, as signified by the leaves turning maroon. But, they come back with vitality in the spring, which will show in the bright green leaves. Just the leaves at the ends of the stems are fully evergreen in most regions. As the summer progresses, fresh sprouts begin to grow, filling certain sunny parts of your landscape with poor soil.

When grown alone or in combination with other spreading sedums, Dragon’s Blood sedum occupies the spaces between paths, traces down walls, and blankets rock gardens.

Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans)

– Mazus reptans, also referred to as “creeping mazus” or simply “mazus”, is another low-growing perennial groundcover that can suppress weeds. It grows best in partial shade but will still survive in completely shaded areas as well. It is hardy in Zones 4-9. Creeping mazus can easily develop into a closely packed, ground-hugging mat of brightly colored, green foliage with beautiful purple-blue flowers (during summer). This ground cover would be an outstanding choice in limited spaces, such as in rock gardens or in the gaps between stepping stones. Keep Mazus hydrated when it’s hot outside. The ideal soil conditions for mazus is well-draining, moist, rich soil.

Creeping Raspberry (Rubus Hayata-koidzumii or Rubus calycinoides)

Do you want a lovely plant for your rock garden or something to replace your lawn? How about a low-maintenance ground cover?

Creeping Raspberry is a wonderful and attractive ground cover that is naturally hardy, resilient, and adaptable. It has basic requirements and is well worth cultivating in your garden.

Creeping Raspberry is a part of the Rosaceae family. It makes a dense mat of three-lobed leaves on lengthy, cane-like stems, which provide an interesting ground cover. This plant is native to Taiwan, where it thrives at high altitudes.

The creeping raspberry is a kind of evergreen plant, with the leaves having a bronzy underside and take on a rusty-looking shade in the winter. It yields white flowers in the summer, followed by eye-catching vibrant orange-colored fruits.

You may use it as a flowing decor in a hanging basket indoors, in addition to using it as a ground cover and weed-suppressant in your yard.

Dianthus

If your landscape looks a little dull and you want a splash of color, Dianthus would be a fabulous addition as a ground cover.

Dianthus plants exist in a wide range of sizes and structures, from very small variants that form a dense, compact cluster of leaves and flowers to big species that reach up to three feet tall with practically no base foliage.

Typically, Dianthus are mat-forming plants with very close leaf spreading. This hardy, cold- and drought-tolerant ground cover can withstand some salt, and deer will stay away from it.

You may use it for everything from edging, slopes, rock gardens, pathways, and patios. The main identifier of Dianthus flowers are five petals, usually with frilled edges, and are pale to rich pink (most species). There are so many wonderful species (about 300) of this flowering plant you can mix and match for your garden!

Keep in mind that these plants will flower more with more sunlight and well-draining soil. It would help if you also deadheaded to encourage beautiful fresh growth.

Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox coccineus)

Red Creeping Thyme is a heat- and drought-tolerant ground cover that thrives in zones 3 to 9. It prefers full sunlight and grows barely two to four inches tall, making it an ideal ground cover.

It’s also deer-resistant. In spring, red creeping thyme gives beautiful, dark green color to your landscape, but it looks the best in the summer when it blooms in stunningly deep magenta-red flowers. It also attracts butterflies and repels deer. But the best part is it chokes out the weeds completely since it makes a dense, flat mat.

It’s best to plant it between stepping stones since it releases a pleasant smell when you walk on it. Plant it along wall surfaces, in edges, and other hard-to-weed spots in your landscape.

Stonecrop (Sedum)

Stonecrop (also referred to as sedum or orpine) plants all have a rosette pattern, and the majority of them grow a flower that is kept over the base foliage.

The leaves are quite glossy and thick. Stonecrop makes an excellent ground cover because it’s dense, it adapts to varying temperatures, and it’s simple to care for. These plants also don’t grow very tall or quickly, so there’s no need to be concerned about them being invasive.

Also, you’ll rarely encounter pest problems with them, and they are disease-resistant. Certainly, planting a stonecrop is a great idea for a beginner gardener. They can be grown both indoors and outdoors in sunny, warm areas. The stonecrop plant is ideal for use in container gardens, rockeries, pathways, and perennial borders.

Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)

Hens and chicks plants get their name from the rosette form and the fact that they create a lot of babies.

Growing Hens and chicks in a rockery or a dry, nutritionally lacking area where other plants can’t survive is a smart idea. Sempervivum tectorum indeed has a remarkable tolerance for bad soil and harsh environments. This alpine or rock garden plant stores water in its thick and fleshy leaves; thus many gardeners like it as a ground cover for dry areas.

An underground runner connects the mother plant to the chicks (babies). Hens and Chicks make great container plants on both the inside and outside of the house.

Sempervivum comes in about forty different varieties. But even though hens and chicks come in a wide range of colors, they are most commonly seen in green, red, purple, or a mixture of these colors. The hens and chicks have a lovely, distinct look that brings variety to the garden, plus they’re hardy enough to withstand the harsh winters. Most are zone 3 hardy and can withstand temperatures as high as that of zone 9.

To keep the roots from rotting, place them in dry, well-drained sandy or gravelly soil. Did you know? Sempervivum was once placed on rooftops in Europe for various purposes, including trying to ward off lightning and fire, keeping slates in place, and supplying quick salad food in the winter.

Catmint (Nepeta mussinii)

Most people are unsure about the distinction between catmint and catnip. Although they are essentially the same plant with much of the same characteristics, there are differences between the two. In the garden, catnip (Nepeta cataria) has a lower aesthetic appeal than catmint (Nepeta mussinii).

Catmint is a fragrant herb that can be found in many gardens. Among mounds of grey-green foliage, it grows clusters of lavender-blue flowers. This easy-to-grow plant has a fascinating background when it comes to its different landscape applications.

Catmint is great for edging or mass planting, and it works well as an insect deterrent near your edible crops. Catmint can live in full sun or part shade, as long as the soil is decent and well-drained. They will also tolerate heat and drought, which makes them ideal for dry gardens.

You can use fresh, frozen, or dried catmint for cooking purposes. As the flowers start to bloom, harvest the top leaves, stems, and flowers if you like. You can add its shoots and leaves to your soups!

‘Gro-Low’ sumac (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’)

Gro-Low sumac was favored by growers for its dwarf habit, making it ideal as a ground cover. It lives in poor, dry soil and can grow in intense sunlight or heavy shade—it just needs decent drainage.

The spreading branches take root where they come into contact with the earth, which aids in forming a thick weed-controlling mat. It’s a complete autumn splendor. That alone is good enough to make it into your garden!

Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)

Plumbago or leadwort is a spreading plant that combines all of the best qualities of a groundcover without being unpleasant and invasive. Its name is derived from the Latin word plumbum, meaning “lead.” The herb was believed to be a treatment for lead poisoning back in the first century AD.

Although it may not be a cure for lead poisoning, it is an excellent groundcover. Plumbago is loved for its pretty blue or white flower clusters that grow from summer to fall. You’ll also love it because it’s a wiry, mat-forming perennial with rhizomes that extend to establish a beautiful ground cover.

Its mounding growth habit makes it ideal for landscape beds, particularly in the shade. Moreover, plumbago may be pruned to shape an informal hedge or used to create a beautiful formal hedge. It would finally grow to shrub size if it didn’t freeze, but winter usually prunes it to the ground, making it low-maintenance.

Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum)

If you want to smell Italian or Greek cuisine whenever you go by a section of the garden, a Greek oregano ground cover will deliver that one-of-a-kind feeling. Groundcover oregano has that scent when crushed or stepped on that sends you longing for delicious Mediterranean food.

Aside from its smell, its positives are: it needs very little care, prevents weeds, looks wonderful, draws in insects, thrives in hot and dry areas, and keeps in moisture. It would help if you did some things to force ground cover oregano into staying that way because it is a naturally tall herb. Start when the plants are young: nip them back to within two inches from the ground. The plant will be encouraged to grow outward instead of upward as a result of this. Plants will eventually blend to form a Greek oregano groundcover.

To keep this up, give it a limited supply of water and cut off some height a couple of times (or even once) in its growing season. You’ll only need to care for your Greek oregano just a few times a year after it’s established. And, if you want to use oregano for cooking, harvest whenever the stems start to grow tall and are about to flower. This is when the leaves are full of their amazing essence and flavor.

One last thing: according to some test-tube studies, oregano and oregano oil are rich in antioxidants. If this isn’t a good enough reason to add it to your landscape (aside from keeping away weeds), I don’t know what is.

Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina)

The ground cover of Stachys byzantina is fantastic for weed control. It’s a thick, low-growing herb that can quickly spread in a garden bed if given the proper care, so it’s ideal for filling in gaps in your borders and keeping weeds away. And because it’s a low-growing plant, you can plant lamb’s ears on the garden border.

The wooly feel and velvety soft texture of Lamb’s Ears’ leaves will appeal to children. Aside from the leaf shape’s resemblance to a lamb’s ear, the color is silvery grey to a faint green. The plant is a perennial evergreen, although it can die back and look worn out throughout the winter months, and it will regrow in spring.

Lamb’s ears can withstand chilly temperatures in zones 4 through 8. Unless you have lots of midday shade in your yard, extreme heat in the warmer areas can make growing it a problem.

FAQs

When will the ground covers start to choke out weeds?
Ground covers will take up to a couple of years to completely establish and become dense enough to choke out most undesirable weeds, according to the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. It will take a little bit longer for higher altitudes.

You should remove whatever weeds that emerge as soon as possible. To minimize massive damage, do not spray herbicides on your ground cover.

Can a weed-suppressing ground cover take the place of my lawn?
You can use any of these ground cover plants as a lawn replacement, as long as you meet the plant’s soil and sunlight (or shade) requirements. Any of these weed suppressing plants, especially those that don’t require lots of water, would be better than a lawn when it comes to upkeep.

REFERENCES

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf

https://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Toxic_Plants_by_common_Name_659/

https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/123

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/phlox/

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/470454#page/155/mode/1up

www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285438

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1930514?seq=1

https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/xeriscaping

https://scholarworks.montana.edu/xmlui/handle/1/5708

https://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/morrisarboretum-blog/411-plant-names-tell-their-stories-achilles-healing-herb-achillea-yarrow.html

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Artemisia+schmidtiana

www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-205442

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/spotted-deadnettle-lamium-maculatum/

https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/moneywort-6-24-05.aspx

www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/moneywort.htm

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-contribution-of-persistent-soil-seed-banks-and-V%C3%A9crin-Gr%C3%A9villiot/ae5cc5e6f76f30ff01e86b093bc4b06b2389f0d8

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lysnum/all.html

https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/dragonsblood-sedum-9-12-08.aspx

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e190

https://archive.org/details/perennialgroundc0000mack/page/n9/mode/2up

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Carnation

https://extension.psu.edu/to-deadhead-or-not-your-final-answer-is

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=254207

https://www.britannica.com/plant/sedum

www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b711

https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/20/eaba0721

https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/plumbago-a-true-blue-accent-in-the-sunny-border/

www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285165

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8933203/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24629960/

https://www.alabamawildlife.org/oc-plant-id-lambs-ear/

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People have historically used foundation plantings to conceal the foundations of older homes. Now-a-days, planting a row of bushes to mark the foundation doesn’t seem to be as popular or prominent as it once was.

However, landscaping experts say that front-yard plantings are utilized to enhance the look of a property, integrate it into its surroundings, and provide an appealing entry. Real estate professionals will tell you that curb appeal makes a huge difference when it comes time to sell your house.

Putting the right bushes in front of your house can make all the difference. It can turn your dull landscape into something more inviting!

Why Should You Put Plants in Your Front Yard?

Without some lovely front yard plantings, a house doesn’t appear “complete.” It would seem like something is lacking in your front yard.

There are several apparent and practical advantages to growing foundation plants (front-of-house plants). Low-growing bushes conceal the foundations of the property, making a seamless connection from garden to home.

The correct foundation plants may make your home more beautiful and appealing, as well as improve its worth. When people see your house from the street, they’ll notice how it stands out!

Front-of-House or Foundation Plants: What to Look For

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), boxwood (Buxus spp.), holly (Ilex), and rhododendrons are all good low-maintenance bushes to use as front-of-yard plants. The foliage of these short, bushy evergreen shrubs lasts all year. Plants can be grown in full sun or moderate shade. They’re drought-resistant and don’t get too big.

Foundation plantings should include low-growing shrubs that are appealing all year. These bushes are great since they will not obstruct your view out the window. When picking plants for your front yard, keep in mind how much sun it gets—some foundation plantings require full sun, while others thrive in the shadow.

Drought-tolerant plants are also great for planting in front of the house. Allowing the soil to dry between waterings helps to keep your home area dry. That’s why planting short bushes three feet apart is a smart idea. Air movement around plants near your foundation also aids in keeping moisture from entering your home.

Try not to plant shrubs or small trees with invasive roots since they might damage your home’s foundation. Plant these bigger bushes at least five feet away from your house.

Excellent Front Yard Landscaping Plants

Here are some fantastic front yard landscaping bushes to dress up your area! You have various choices, whether you like flowers, unique growth habits, or stunning seasonal colors.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are excellent front-of-house landscaping plants because of their low-maintenance demands and spectacular bloom clusters throughout the summer.

Did you know that a hydrangea bloom’s color can be changed by tweaking the soil’s pH level?

Hydrangeas are deciduous decorative foundation shrubs with enormous globular flower clusters. They are big blooming shrubs that reach 3 to 5 feet. Hydrangeas come in various sizes and have compact, short growth, making them excellent for smaller areas and the front yard.

Hydrangeas are low-maintenance landscaping bushes with moderate water requirements and no soil preferences. Although hydrangea plants need some shade and protection, certain hydrangea blossoms thrive in full sun. The only maintenance these bushes require is the removal of wasted blooms.

Hydrangea blooms flourish for several weeks in the summer and come in various colors: lavender, blue, pink, white, green, purple, and red. USDA zones 3–9 are favorable for most hydrangea varieties.

Plant a modest type of easy-to-care-for hydrangea shrub in front of the home as an accent blooming plant, or grow them in a row to make a beautiful hedge. In addition, the lovely big blossoms look beautiful in cut flower floral arrangements.

Some of the best hydrangea bushes for foundation planting in the front yard are:

• Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime.’ – (also known as Panicle hydrangea) is a small dwarf shrub for the front of the home that grows no more than 5 feet tall. Summer brings lime green flowers that become pink as they develop. This plant is ideal for pots and bulk plantings. If you like beautiful cut flowers, this plant is a great choice.
• Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue.’ – One of the most favored mophead hydrangea bushes for foundation planting is ‘Nikko Blue.’ You will like its large blue inflorescences, massive green foliage, and the bush’s overall rounded form. Flower buds develop on the growth from the previous year. Flowers in acidic soils are blue, whereas those in alkaline soils are pink. This hydrangea shrub reaches a height and width of 4 – 6 feet (1.2 – 1.8 meters) and blooms throughout the summer. It accepts coastal conditions but is only hardy to zone 6 in the winter.
• Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea Serrata) – The mountain hydrangea has long been a close second to the more well-known and praised mophead hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). Mountain Hydrangea is a smaller hydrangea variety with beautiful light blue or light pink blooms and rich green leaves. Ideal for use as a colorful bush border or in front of the home. It may reach a height of 2 – 4 feet (0.6 – 1.2 meters) and the same width.
• Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer Bloomstruck.’ – A tough mophead hydrangea with rounded growth characteristics and two-toned pink or lilac blooms. It may reach a height of 3–4 feet (1–1.2 meters) and a width of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters). Hydrangeas of the Endless Summer series are a selection of bigleaf Hydrangeas. Bigleaf Hydrangeas bloom predominantly on last year’s growth, often known as “old wood.” You should never trim Bigleaf Hydrangeas in the late summer or fall because of this. Removing last year’s growth essentially eliminates the bloom buds for the following season. It’s best to wait until middle to late spring to prune so you can easily spot the winter-damaged canes.
• Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ – This straight species is endemic to the eastern United States, specifically in Anna, Illinois. The plant’s name ‘Annabelle’ comes from the area’s women or ‘belles.’ This front-of-house bush produces big (8-12 inches) brilliant white blooms—stunning and long-lasting. The tight, rounded growth habit of ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea renders it excellent for foundation planting. This low-maintenance landscape shrub grows 3–5 feet (1–1.5 meters) high and 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 meters) broad.

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Hibiscus syriacus is a member of the Malvaceae family of plants. This flowering plant is originally from south-central and southeast China, although it has spread far over Asia.

The Rose of Sharon (Korean: mugunghwa) is the national flower of South Korea!

You should try the Rose of Sharon shrubs, specifically the Satin and Chiffon series, if you want a hardy, deciduous shrub that flowers for months yet is easy to maintain. Both kinds grow rapidly, don’t need to be pruned, and generate almost no seeds so that they won’t multiply all over the garden.

Anemone-shaped flowers in purple, pink, white, or blue adorn the Chiffon variants. Meanwhile, Satin variants have solitary pink, purple, or blue blooms with a deep red eye.

Rose of Sharon exists in a variety of sizes, most of which are pretty big. Satin and Chiffon variants reach a height of 8-12 feet and are typically taller than broad. As a result, they’re ideal for hedging, screening, or planting near a tall, bare wall where a splash of color will change everything.

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

The Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a classic herbaceous perennial with a conspicuous and stunning flower show and lovely, rich dark green foliage that provides weeks of brilliance beginning in early to mid-summer.

Because of the abundance of cultivars displaying varying flower sizes and types, levels of compactness, and bloom duration, there is a Shasta Daisy for just about every garden. Shasta Daisy plants like moist, well-drained, rich soil.

• Leucanthemum × superbum ‘Becky.’ – ‘Becky’ grows taller than most other Shasta varieties, reaching 3-4′ high. An abundance of 4-inch sized flowers of white petals with yellow centers occurs from mid-summer to early fall. Another thing you’ll like about Shasta Daisy’s stiff stems is that they don’t require staking. These plants can reach a height of 4 feet and a width of 3 feet. It would look lovely planted with ‘Snow Lady,’ a shorter variety that blooms sooner, for a more extended display of color. ‘Becky’s cut flowers are of exceptional quality. This plant thrives in Hardiness Zones 4-9.
• Leucanthemum ‘Crazy Daisy’ – ‘Crazy Daisy’ will stand out in front of your house with its semi-double and double cream-white blooms with yellow centers. This bush will look particularly lovely in perennial borders and beds. Plant Crazy Daisy if you want cuts that are strong and erect and are taller than 26 inches. Crazy Daisy survives in hardiness zones 4 to 9. This bush will attract lots of butterflies, but it is resistant to deer and rabbits.
• Leucanthemum ‘Banana Cream’ – ‘Banana Cream’ produces large 4-5″ lemon yellow blooms with a creamy white center. In the summer, the bloom period is extended. This variety was a mix between ‘Broadway Lights’ and ‘Sunny Side Up.’ Banana Cream is a prolific grower with dark green, disease-resistant leaves. It looks great in containers or the garden, and it grows to approximately 18 inches. This plant is hardy in zones 5-9.
• Leucanthemum ‘Brightside’ – This plant is Becky’s seed strain. From late spring until summer, huge, pure white daisies bloom. Taller than 3 feet and hardy in zones 5-9. This bush will undoubtedly draw in all the butterflies! It can use some shade, especially in hot summer regions or when planted in relatively dry soils. To encourage more bloom, remove dead flower heads. To promote vitality, separate clumps as needed (every couple of years).
• Leucanthemum ‘GoldFinch’ – If you like yellow, you’ll like this flowering bush! ‘GoldFinch’ is as yellow as a Shasta Daisy can get. It’s a darker yellow than ‘Banana Cream,’ plus its flowers will last longer. This front yard bush is a true treasure. With a lengthy flowering time, compact form, with beautiful semi-double blooms that fade from brilliant lemon yellow to ivory white over time. Its height can get up to 2 ft (90 cm). It is hardy in zones 5-8.
• Leucanthemum ‘Victorian Secret’ – Even under high heat, this neat, compact cultivar has gently ruffled long-lasting blooms without the smell! Taller than 14 in (35 cm). Hardiness zones 5 to 9 are suited for this plant, blooming in June, July, and August.

Cavatine Dwarf Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’)

Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’ is a tiny, flowering shrub with evergreen leaves. The ‘Cavatine’ plant is an excellent front yard plant that may reach a height of 2 feet (0.6 m). The cream-white blooms provide a splash of color to the dark green background. This low informal hedge plant is also known as the lily-of-the-valley shrub.

In your front yard, dwarf ‘Cavatine’ bushes thrive in direct sunlight or part shade. They are drought-tolerant plants. Japanese Pieris foundation plants thrive in zones 6–8.

Pieris spp., similar to rhododendrons, contain grayanotoxins I, II, and III (polyhydroxylated diterpenes). These chemicals latch to sodium channels in the heart, skeletal muscle, and nerve cells, keeping them depolarized. In cows and goats, the hazardous dosage of the green plant is 0.2-0.6 percent of the animal’s weight.

Creeping Gardenia

Creeping gardenia is a low-growing bush that grows 2 feet tall and 2-3 feet broad. It blooms with beautiful, scented white blossoms in July. Sun exposure ranges from moderate to full.

A study found that peat moss is the best growing medium for Creeping Gardenia.

If you want a taller shrub, Frost Proof is another wonderful Gardenia. It reaches a height of around 5 feet.

Boxwood (Buxus) Shrub – A Great Foundation Plant

You will find Buxaceae species in the tropics, subtropics, and temperate zones all over the world.

Low-growing, dense boxwood shrubs are excellent for foundation planting for your front yard.
Boxwood shrubs naturally come from Europe and Asia. These evergreen landscaping plants have many branches and a bunch of uses, especially for the front area of your house.

Boxwood is a relatively easy-to-maintain foundation plant that offers lush, thick evergreen leaves and bushy growth. These low-maintenance shrubs are simple to shape, and most varieties don’t go much taller than 3 or 4 feet.

Numerous kinds of boxwood may be grown in full sun, moderate shade, or full shade. Zones 5–9 are ideal for the hedge plants. Boxwoods flourish on well-draining soil and are drought resistant in most cases.

Boxwood does not do well in extreme heat and cold. They are particularly vulnerable to foliar desiccation as a result of the dry winter air. A reddish-orange to brown color shift anywhere near the midrib or inner section of the leaf is a common sign of winter damage on boxwood.

Some of the nicest boxwood shrubs for planting in your front yard are as follows:

• Common Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’) – The common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’) is an excellent choice for foundation planting. The petite boxwood has evergreen foliage and is drought resistant, growing to a height of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 – 1 m). It thrives in bright sunlight to partial shade and uniformly moist, well-drained loamy soil. It can thrive in various soil types and even in full shade, but it will be less prolific and have fewer leaves than if planted in ideal conditions. Plant common boxwood for traditional short hedges, shade, sun ground cover, or a container doorway plant.
• Green Beauty Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) – The glossy lanceolate leaves of the ‘Green Beauty’ boxwood have rich foliage. This trouble-free compact foundation shrub thrives in both the sun and the shade. Zones 6–9 are ideal for cultivating this plant.
• Boxwood ‘Winter Gem’ (Buxus microphylla ‘Winter Gem’) – ‘Winter Gem,’ or Japanese Boxwood, is native to China and Japan. It is a rounded foundation plant that grows up to 4 feet tall (1.2 m). The boxwood ‘Winter Gem’ has tiny glossy green leaves that stay green all year. Zones 6–8 are appropriate for this plant.
• English Boxwood ‘Dee Runk’ (Buxus sempervirens) – This is a perfect corner plant or entrance plant because it is a tall boxwood shrub. Buxus sempervirens are mainly cultivated for aesthetic purposes. The evergreen shrub has a vertical columnar growth and reaches about 7 feet (2 meters). All-year-round color for your front yard is provided by ‘Dee Runk’ boxwoods. And if you want to make a foundation planting hedge, you can easily shape this quickly growing plant. Zones 6–8 are acceptable for the English boxwood ‘Dee Runk.’
• Green Pillow Boxwood – The ‘Green Pillow’ boxwood is a relatively small broadleaf shrub that makes a good foundation plant. The thick shrub has the appearance of a pincushion pillow. This boxwood grows up to a foot tall as a foundation plant and survives in zones 5–8.
• Buxus ‘Green Gem’ – Buxus ‘Green Gem’ is a tiny landscape shrub with a circular mound of small, oval, dark green foliage. Low hedges are made possible by the compact growth habit of this bush. However, keep in mind that Buxus ‘Green Gem’ is one of the cultivars prone to boxwood blight, identifiable as black leaf spots, black stem lesions, and defoliation.

Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

This species, often referred to as red willow, is a deciduous shrub with rich red stems that make it attractive even after losing its foliage. The Latin-specific epithet sericea (meaning: silky) accurately describes the soft texture of the plant’s foliage.

It has white blooms in late spring, which are succeeded by tiny white berries that adorn it in late summer and fall, and are consumed by no less than 18 bird species, including bobwhite quail and ruffed grouse.

Redosier dogwood grows quickly, reaching heights of seven to nine feet when fully grown. Pruning it once a year is adequate, although cutting it down to ground level helps keep the vivid red of its younger stems. Its fibrous root structure helps to prevent erosion.

Furthermore, it is resilient and beautiful even when it looks bare in the winter, and it can be propagated by cuttings, making it a low-cost option for sizeable plantings.

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) – Fantastic Foundation Plant.

Wintercreeper bushes (also known as Climbing Euonymus, Japanese Euonymus, Spreading Euonymus, and Wintercreeper Euonymus) have golden yellow and green leaves. They are excellent plants for the front of your house. Wintercreeper cultivars reach a height of 1 to 2 feet (30 – 60 cm), making them suitable for covering foundations, edging, ground cover, and garden borders. These cold-hardy, brilliantly colored plants thrive in both the shade and the sun.

You will find wintercreeper bushes in zones 5 through 9. Consult with your state before planting them near your foundation, as they are deemed invasive in certain regions.

For foundation planting, here are several wintercreeper shrubs to consider:

• Euonymus fortunei ‘Moonshadow.’ – In bright or shady front yards, the lush yellow and green foliage offers magnificent foundation cover. The ‘Moonshadow’ wintercreeper reaches a height of 3 feet (1 meter) and a spread of 5 feet (1.5 meters).
• Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold.’ – With its golden and vivid green leaves, this wintercreeper will liven up your front yard. Planting around foundations in shady sections of your yard is wonderful.
• Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety.’ – This low-growing evergreen bush with green and white variegated leaves makes an excellent ground cover. You can use Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ as a foundation plant, low hedge, or grow along walls in brightly sunlit front yards.

‘Orange Rocket’ Barberry

Opening with vivid coral fresh growth and developing into ruby-red leaves that will keep the show running into the fall, this simple to care for ‘Orange Rocket’ Barberry will add a touch of spectacularly colored foliage to your front yard.

This deciduous shrub thrives in USDA Zones 5a to 9b and can withstand full sun to partial shade. It’s an upright bush that grows to be approximately 4-feet tall and 1.5-feet broad when fully grown.

You can certainly liven up space in front of your house with the fantastic colors of this bush! You can use it as a border, hedge, or striking accent plant.

The plant will be drought tolerant once grown and can withstand a wide range of weather conditions. The plant, like other barberries, has small thorns on it. As a result, you may utilize them as a barrier plant as well.

Kaleidoscope Abelia (Abelia x Grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’)

Kaleidoscope Abelia is a member of the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family. It has brightly colored, golden yellow variegated leaves and only grows 2.5 feet tall and 3.5 feet broad.

Kaleidoscope Abelia’s foliage changes as spring give way to summer: the interiors of the leaves stay green and deepen somewhat, while the borders become a golden yellow color. It’s also the time when it blooms. Throughout the plant’s surface, the slightly rosy-tinted buds develop into tubular white flowers.

It can withstand direct sunlight, and Zones 6-9 are perfect for this plant.

Plant in large groups as a front yard fixture for stunning year-round color. What’s nice about this bush is it can survive being planted in containers and spacious beds! You won’t have a problem caring for this plant as long as you keep it in moist, rich, acidic soil with good drainage.

Rhododendron – Front Yard Landscape Foundation Plant

Rhododendrons are evergreen flowering bushes that look great in the front yard. Almost all rhododendron bushes are excellent foundation plants since they reach 2 to 4 feet. Rhododendrons, which are evergreen, are ideal for planting around foundations in full sun or light shade. Rhododendron bushes bloom in the spring and provide beautiful flowers.

But keep in mind that Rhododendron is toxic when ingested. Grayanotoxin, a diterpene present all over the plant (mainly leaves and pollen), causes poisoning when it comes in contact with your food. Risk factors include eating Rhododendron nectar grayanotoxins-contaminated honey and drinking Rhododendron tea.

Have a look at some of the nicest rhododendron shrubs for foundation planting in the front yard:

• Rhododendron ‘Hino Crimson – The rhododendron ‘Hino Crimson’ is a beautiful blooming plant for your house’s front area. The short bush has glossy evergreen leaves and beautiful dark pink blooms, reaching just 2 to 3 ft. tall. Plant in zones 5–9. Acidic, rich, humusy, moderately moist, well-drained soils in partial shade are ideal for growing this plant. It likes dappled sunlight or shaded open areas. It will also nicely accept morning light with midday shade.
• Rhododendron ‘April Rose’ – You will undoubtedly love Rhododendron ‘April Rose’ for its cold hardy nature and big, funnel-shaped springtime blooms, which are a little fragrant. It’s a semi-dwarf bush with lovely purplish-red flowers and broad green leaves. In the fall, the elliptical, flat, dark green leaves turn a reddish-brown color. Zones 4-8 are perfect for this front yard plant. It grows 3 to 4 feet (1–1.2 meters) tall.
• Rhododendron ‘Bow Bells’ – This tiny, broadleaf evergreen shrub is coated in beautiful clusters of fragrant pink flowers when in bloom. Throughout the winter, the glossy, dark-green foliage maintains its shade. This plant grows best in the sun to part shade.
• Dwarf Indica (Gumpo) Azalea (Rhododendron eriocarpum) – This woody, dwarf blooming shrub matures approximately 2 feet tall and is evergreen in most regions. If the soil doesn’t drain properly, full sun can burn the foliage and cause the roots to rot. With good upkeep and a healthy plant in the right area, there should be minimal issues.
• Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’ – Blue Tit is a renowned dwarf hybrid plant with a rounded, bushy form. You will enjoy seeing its funnel-shaped, lavender-blue flowers! Expect to see these gorgeous flowers in the middle of April. This plant does well in full sun and partial shade.
• Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’ – Every spring, this stunning tiny shrub blooms with loads of funnel-shaped white flowers. The bushy, low-growing foundation plant thrives in both the shade and the sun. Dora Amateis is well-known for its ability to attract bees. Bees can’t resist its nectar-pollen-rich flowers. Zones 5–8 are suitable for this front yard bush.

Dwarf Yew Shrubs

Dwarf yew shrubs are a popular choice for a front yard, evergreen landscaping bush because of their soft needles and thick growth. Many compact yews grow erect and thrive in clear daylight. Yew dwarf shrubs make beautiful foundation plants, great hedging plants, and decorative border shrubs.

They are usually not prone to insect and disease pests, plus they offer a beautiful, dark green color all year. While their leaves look so much like needles, they are essentially thin, linear-shaped, and flat with a glossy sheen to them. Yew plants seem to be either male or female, with the female producing fleshy, red berry-like seed cones called arils.

Some yews that are good for foundation planting:

• English Yew (Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’) – This is a low-lying, spreading ornamental foundation plant. English yews can reach a height of 2 to 4 feet and a width of up to 15 feet. This hardy English yew has curving branches and drooping lateral stems that spread widely. It has two levels of long, deep green, sickle-shaped needles, and berries only grow on more mature plants.
• Anglo-Japanese Yew (Taxus x media ‘Densiformis’) – The Anglo-Japanese yew is a common cross between Japanese yews (Taxus cuspidata) and English yews (Taxus baccata). They’re frequently utilized as foundation plants, specimens, grouped, or hedges when appropriately cut. Early in life, yews are very narrow, but as they grow older, they become broader. They are robust and durable, adaptable to urban areas, and one of the few evergreens that can withstand extremely shady conditions. This yew cultivar has thick foliage made up of glossy green needle-like leaves and grows close to the ground. The bushy yew reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet.
• Japanese Yew ‘Bright Gold’ (Taxus cuspidata) – This dwarf foundation bush has a spreading growth habit and reaches a height of 4 to 5 feet, although shearing and pruning can keep them at a manageable size. The cultivar’s newly growing needles are golden yellow with green stripes, with the color vibrancy peaking during the spring growth flush and lasting through the winter thanks to late-season cutting. In zones 4–7, the foundation plant thrives in full sun or moderate shade.
• ‘Densiformis’ yew – The ‘Densiformis’ yew is an excellent option for planting in shaded regions in your front yard or garden. Anglo-Japanese yew has the ideal features for a foundation plant: it’s drought-tolerant, easy to care for, and has evergreen foliage. Anglo-Japanese yews flourish in full sun, moderate shade, and full shade in zones 4–7, making them ideal for growing in front of your house.

Inkberry Foundation Plants (Ilex glabra)

For foundation planting, we also like inkberry shrubs like the ‘Shamrock’ (Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’). Inkberries are native evergreen bushes that produce blackberries in the fall and blooms in the summer. The dense, dark green leaves of the Inkberry ‘Shamrock’ cultivar provide year-round color in your front yard. Plants of the inkberry ‘Shamrock’ variety reach 3 to 4 feet.

Inkberry bushes thrive in both full sun and light shade. The bushy foundation plants thrive in a variety of soil conditions and tolerate damp soils. In zones 4–9, these shrubby, short, low-maintenance plants flourish.

The most significant disadvantage of inkberry holly in the landscape is its propensity for losing lower leaves and becoming exposed at the base. If you start to see your plants exhibit leafless bases, don’t be reluctant to trim them aggressively. In reality, this type is a fire-resistant plant that can withstand being fully chopped down to the ground. You should not perform such drastic pruning every year; rather, do it in late winter, if at all. Pests are rarely a significant issue.

Other inkberry foundation plants include:

• The ‘Gem Box’ inkberry – This foundation plant, which resembles boxwood, has tiny dark green leaves, compact growth, and can withstand wet soil and bright sunlight. You’ll like having this bush for its nice, neat-looking growth habit, which is a rounded shape. It looks magnificent in the landscape, rich and thick to the ground!
• Inkberry ‘Strongbox’ – Inkberry ‘Strongbox’ is a dense, low-growing shrub with tiny leaves and lush foliage that can reach a height of 3 feet (1 meter). Like ‘Gem Box,’ ‘Strongbox’ is a desirable bush in your front yard because of its compact form that would always look nice no matter what season. Except that this cultivar is slightly tougher and more disease-resistant.

Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Fraser’s Photinia is a big, evergreen bush or small tree that can reach 20 feet in height. After P. serratifolia but before P. glabra, this bush blooms in the middle of spring. This plant is likewise in the middle of the two in terms of size. Many individuals find Fraser Photinia’s fetid flowers repulsive. A new leaf is a vibrant reddish-bronze hue, and you will see reddish buds throughout the year.

This plant can withstand alkalinity, as well as dryness and salt spray. It is susceptible to pests and diseases and is intolerant of damp environments.

Arborvitae Foundation Plants (Thuja)

Dwarf arborvitae bushes have lush, evergreen leaves and make excellent foundation plants. The word arborvitae is Latin for “tree of life.” Increased blood pressure and a fever reduction are two effects.

Arborvitaes, especially small ones, thrive in full sun in front of your house. As corner plantings or entry plantings, you can grow larger upright, dense arborvitae trees. Zones 3–7 are suitable for arborvitae bushes.

The following are some of the best arborvitaes to plant around the foundation:

• Thuja occidentalis ‘Fire Chief’- The thick feathery leaves of this small shrub become golden yellow in the spring. In the fall, it steadily changes into green and red. This arborvitae grows slowly and is ideal for foundation plantings, short hedges, and borders. In zones 5–9, in full sun to part shade, the arborvitae ‘Fire Chief’ grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet.
• Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ – The small evergreen species, Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant,’ is an excellent choice for foundation plantings, as a specimen or a hedge. The arborvitae features soft green feathery leaves and a compact dome form. Little Giant needs full sunlight to live, and it has to be planted in zones 3-8. It’s a nice bush to have if you want lots of birds in front of your house.
• Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’ – This is a needled evergreen that belongs to the family Cupressaceae. This Thuja is a lovely compact globose shrub with soft, feathery leaves and a flattened crown. If you want a great foundation plant, place this classic low-maintenance arborvitae around the front of your house. This bush will survive in full sun to part shade on typical, moderate moisture, well-drained soils. Although it tolerates a broad range of soils, it likes damp, neutral to alkaline, well-drained loamy soil. And it does not like drought. It thrives in full sun in hot summer climes, but it also loves some moderate afternoon shade.
• Dwarf Golden Oriental Thuja (Thuja orientalis ‘Aurea Nana’) – This is a miniature evergreen shrub with delicate needle leaves and golden-yellow foliage in flattened sprays. To make it conceal your house’s foundations, plant in sunny or slightly shaded front yards. Grow in full sun on rich, moderately moist, well-drained soils. In hot and dry weather, make sure to water your plants regularly. These plants open up more as they mature. In youth, the scale-like yellowish-green leaves in flat sprays become deeper green as they age. In the winter, the foliage may become a bronze color.

Catmint (Nepeta racemosa)

Nepeta spp. or catmint is a flowering plant belonging to the Lamiaceae (mint family). This plant is well-known for attracting cats. Want to know why? The compound nepetalactone, a vaporous iridoid that also scares away insects, is responsible for this occurrence.

Catmint bushes give you spikes of tiny blue or purple blooms that look best when clustered together. It resembles a blue-purple cloud touching the ground and is frequently cultivated in huge numbers because of its relaxed nature.

On 24-inch-tall stems that may grow to 3 feet wide, ‘Walker’s Low’ has fragrant blossoms that are a mixture of lavender, blue, and mauve. You’ll see the plant bloom in early summer, and if you deadhead the flushes, they will last until autumn.

It thrives in Hardiness Zones 4-8. The cultivar ‘Blue Wonder’ is excellent if you want small, darker blue flowers and a more compact form; this dwarf, mounding, bushy plant can live in Zones 3–8.

Dwarf Spruce

Dwarf spruce bushes provide your front yard with a lot of curb appeal. Moreover, dwarf spruce bushes are easy to care for!

Spruce conifer shrubs are evergreen, low-growing bushes that thrive in bright sunlight. They’re ideal for foundation planting because of their bluish-green hue, needle-like leaves, and widespread growth. Zones 3–8 are suitable for spruce trees and shrubs.

Some of the nicest Dwarf Spruce bushes for planting in front of your house are:

• Picea pungens ‘Glauca Globosa’ – This little spruce is shown as a globe-shaped, blue-grey-needled, rigid bush in photos. The slowly growing dwarf evergreen will mature to a height of 3 to 4 feet (1 – 1.2 meters).
• Dwarf Black Spruce Shrub (Picea marina ‘Nana’) – The dwarf black spruce shrub (Picea marina ‘Nana’) is a charming spherical foundation plant that grows barely 2 feet (60 cm) tall. It likes fertile soil, although it will still survive in poor soil.
• Dwarf Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Tompa’) – The ‘Tompa’ spruce cultivar has a conical form and grows to a maximum height of 3 feet (1 m). In a sunny front yard, use as a foundation or entry plant. This plant thrives in Hardiness Zones 4-7.
• Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ (Bird’s Nest Norway Spruce) – This foundation plant has an oval form with a flattened top. Its flat top has a minor depression in the center, giving it the look of a bird’s nest. The foliage of the ‘Bird’s Nest’ spruce is thick and light yellowish green. The low-growing conifer reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet (1–1.2 meters). It is hardy to zone 2.
• Picea abies ‘Little Gem.’ – Little Gem is a well-loved and sought-after dwarf conifer. It’s an excellent focus for a rock garden, being a small evergreen spruce shrub with thick needle-like leaves and a form of a flattened globe.
• The Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) – This is a pyramid-shaped foundation conifer. Its attractive appearance and light green leaves make it perfect for landscaping in corners, as entryway plantings, or as an aesthetic complement to other foundation bushes.

Salvia

Salvia is the most extensive genus of plants in the Lamiaceae family (mint family), with approximately a thousand shrub species, herbaceous perennials, and annuals.

From summer through fall, it erupts with pink, white, or purple flowers and green foliage. ‘Ostfriesland’ is tiny purple salvia that grows 18 inches tall and broad in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8.

Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica (Mirbel) Kartesz)

Bayberry, or Morella pensylvanica (Mirbel) Kartesz, is a high-density deciduous shrub with a rounded form that reaches six to ten feet tall.

You can easily cultivate Bayberry in bright sunlight to partial shade on ordinary, dry to medium, well-drained soils. This bush prefers moist, sandy, or peaty, acidic soils but will grow in various soils and environments, such as unhealthy soils, wet soils, strong winds, drought, and salty conditions. Northern Bayberry can even resist fire.

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https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/20/eaba0721

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-088504-9.00269-5

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/55055/nepeta-racemosa-walker-s-low-/Details

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=i550

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/apr/apr05112.htm

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/91537/Picea-pungens-(Glauca-Group)-Globosa/Details

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/picea-mariana-nana/

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantcollections/plantfinder/picea_abies_tompa–tompa_norway_spruce

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/picea-abies-nidiformis

https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3732/ajb.91.7.1115

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/morpen/all.html

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/njpmcpg13479.pdf

https://ia802902.us.archive.org/34/items/CAT83781017/CAT83781017.pdf