If you are looking for a way to add some color, texture, and interest to your front yard landscaping ideas, low growing shrubs are a great option. Low growing shrubs are plants that typically reach a height of 3 feet or less at maturity. They can provide many benefits for your home, such as:
- Enhancing curb appeal by creating a neat and tidy appearance
- Providing year-round interest with evergreen foliage or seasonal flowers
- Attracting pollinators and wildlife with fragrant blooms or berries
- Reducing maintenance by requiring less pruning and watering than taller shrubs
- Creating a natural border or edging along walkways, driveways, or foundations
However, not all low growing shrubs are suitable for every location. You need to consider factors such as your climate zone, soil type, sun exposure, and personal preference when choosing the best shrubs for your front yard. In this guide, we will introduce you to some of the most popular low growing shrubs for the front of the house and give you some tips on how to care for them.
Popular Low Growing Shrubs for Front of House
Here are some of the best low growing shrubs that you can plant in front of your house:
- Reblooming Shrub Rose (Rosa spp.): Shrub roses are ideal for front gardens in foundation planting but also in hedges. They produce abundant blooms in various colors throughout the season and have a pleasant fragrance. Some varieties are also disease-resistant and drought-tolerant. Shrub roses prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.): For a front garden in the partial shade one of the best shrubs is the hydrangea. Its large and showy flowers come in shades of pink, blue, white, or purple depending on the soil pH. Hydrangeas can also tolerate some sun if they are kept moist. They prefer rich and loamy soil with good drainage.
- Azalea and Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.): For a splash of color in springtime one of the best flowering bushes is azalea. Its clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers range from white to pink to red to purple. Rhododendrons are similar to azaleas but have larger leaves and flowers. Both plants prefer acidic soil with plenty of organic matter and partial shade.
- Boxwood (Buxus spp.): Boxwood is one of the most versatile low-maintenance shrubs for front gardens. It has dense evergreen foliage that can be shaped into formal hedges or topiaries or left natural for a more casual look. Boxwood can tolerate sun or shade but needs well-drained soil with regular watering.
- Dwarf Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Radicans’): Dwarf gardenia is a compact version of the classic gardenia plant that produces fragrant white flowers from late spring to early summer. It has glossy evergreen leaves that add interest even when not in bloom. Dwarf gardenia prefers full sun to partial shade and moist acidic soil.
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary is not only an aromatic herb but also a low-growing evergreen shrub that can thrive in hot and dry conditions. It has needle-like leaves that are often used in cooking and small blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Rosemary prefers full sun and well-drained sandy soil.
How to Care for Low Growing Shrubs
Low growing shrubs may require less maintenance than taller ones but they still need some basic care to keep them healthy and attractive.
Here are some general tips on how to care for low growing shrubs:
- Water them regularly, especially during dry spells but avoid overwatering them as this can cause root rot
- Mulch them with organic matter such as compost or bark chips to conserve moisture retain nutrients suppress weeds regulate temperature protect roots
- Fertilize them once or twice a year with an appropriate fertilizer according to their specific needs
- Prune them lightly after flowering or whenever they become overgrown shapeless diseased damaged remove dead diseased damaged branches cut back any unwanted growth maintain desired size shape encourage new growth improve air circulation prevent pests and diseases
- Protect them from harsh weather conditions such as frost wind hail cover them with frost cloth burlap straw mulch move them indoors if they are potted
FAQs
Can low growing shrubs be used as ground cover?
Yes, many low growing shrubs are perfect for ground cover, as they can spread and cover a large area.
Do low growing shrubs require less maintenance than taller shrubs?
Yes, low growing shrubs generally require less maintenance than taller shrubs, as they don’t need to be pruned as often.
Can low growing shrubs be used to edge walkways and driveways?
Yes, low growing shrubs are perfect for edging walkways, driveways, and garden beds.
Low growing shrubs are an excellent choice for adding visual interest and texture to your landscape without the high maintenance. Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper, Dwarf Korean Boxwood, Dwarf English Lavender, Blue Rug Juniper, and Creeping Phlox are just a few of the best low growing shrubs for the front of your house. Whether you’re looking for ground cover or edging, there’s a low growing shrub that’s perfect for your landscaping needs. With these plants, you can enhance your curb appeal and create a beautiful outdoor space.