8 Shrubs Perfect for the Front of Your House (2024)

Gardening

Shrubs

• 01 of 08

  Indian Hawthorn

  

  Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x delacourii) is a small, rounded evergreen shrub withleathery leaves, showy spring flowers, and purple-black winter fruit. Drought tolerant and shallow-rooted, it works well for foundation planting.

  • Name: Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x delacourii)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7a-10b
  • Flower Color: Pink, white
  • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Neutral
  • Water Requirement: Drought tolerant
  • Mature Size: 3-6 ft. 5 in. tall, 3-5 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistance: No
    

  Continue to 2 of 8 below

• 02 of 08

  Chinese Fringe Flower

  

  Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) is a broad-leavedevergreen shrub that works well as a taller shrub on house corners or between windows. Its multi-stemmed growth with arching branches can reach 6 to 8 feet tall and equally as wide if not pruned regularly. There are dwarf cultivars also available. You can select lightly scented white, pink, or red flowers that appear from late March to April.

  • Name: Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7b-9b
  • Flower Color: Pink, white, red
  • Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Acidic
  • Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
  • Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide unless a dwarf variety
  • Deer Resistance: Yes
    

  Continue to 3 of 8 below

• 03 of 08

  Winter Daphne

  

  Often called Winter or Fragrant daphne (Daphne odora) is a small shrub that produces small, highly perfumed flowers in mid-to-late winter when nothing else is blooming. It does not like wet roots so it works well to plant under the eaves of a house where it doesn't receive as much rain. The plant can cause contact dermatitis in humans.

  • Name: Winter or Fragrant daphne (Daphne odora)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b
  • Flower Color: Pink, white, lavender
  • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Neutral, loamy
  • Water Requirement: Well-draining
  • Mature Size: 3-6 ft. 6 in. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistance: No
    

  Continue to 4 of 8 below

• 04 of 08

  David Viburnum

  

  See Also

  Best Landscaping to Put Next to House Foundation

  While many viburnum cultivars are deciduous, David viburnum (Viburnum davidii) is a slow-growing, small evergreen choice. It has glossy, dark leaves and smallwhite flowers in the springthat lead tosmall metallic blue fruit for year-round interest.

  • Name: David viburnum (Viburnum davidii)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7b-9b
  • Flower Color: Cream, tan, pink, white
  • Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Neutral
  • Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
  • Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 3-5 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistance: Yes
    

  Continue to 5 of 8 below

• 05 of 08

  American Yew

  

  There are many cultivars of yew and some can grow nearly 60 feet tall. But American yew (Taxus canadensis) rarely grows over 5 feet. It does prefer shade and no direct sun but grows well in almost any type of soil. It is toxic to cats and dogs.

  • Name: American or Canadian yew (Taxus canadensis)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b
  • Flower Color: Cream, tan; red berries
  • Light Requirement: Deep or partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Neutral
  • Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
  • Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistance: No

  Continue to 6 of 8 below

• 06 of 08

  Green Mountain Boxwood

  

  Green mountain boxwood (Buxus 'Green Mountain') is a slow-growing dense boxwood with an upright, pyramidal shape. It works well as an accent shrub and tolerates a variety of soils.
  

  • Name: Green mountain boxwood (Buxus 'Green Mountain')
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b
  • Flower Color: Cream, tan; copper berries
  • Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Neutral
  • Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
  • Mature Size: 4-5 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistance: Yes
    

  Continue to 7 of 8 below

• 07 of 08

  Bar Harbor Juniper

  

  Bar harbor juniper is a slow-growing, low plant that works well in front of taller shrubs in front of a house. It tolerates hot weather, full sun, and all types of soils. The blue-green foliage is a welcome contrast to many home colors.

  • Name: Bar harbor juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor')
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4b-9b
  • Flower Color: No flowers; blue winter fruit
  • Light Requirement: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Neutral
  • Water Requirement: Good drainage
  • Mature Size: 8 in.-1 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistance: Yes

  Continue to 8 of 8 below

• 08 of 08

  Glossy Abelia

  

  Glossy abelia is a medium-sized, multi-stemmed,hybridshrub with numerous cultivars presenting various foliage variations. Glossy abelia is easy to grow and has a very long blooming season attracting butterflies, and hummingbirds.
  

  • Name: Glossy abelia (Linnaea x grandiflora)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b
  • Flower Color: Pink, white
  • Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Neutral
  • Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
  • Mature Size: 2 ft. 6 in.-8 ft. tall, 3-6 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistance: Yes