Easy Care Bushes for the Front of Your House

There's no doubt about the importance that shrubs have in home landscaping. Just like trees, shrubs are the "backbone" of a good landscape design as they provide the necessary structure. So, which bushes (for front of house) are the easiest to maintain, and look beautiful?

That's exactly what we'll list in this article. We have 15 bushes for the front of the house that are evergreen and low-maintenance. Your front yard will look stunning — enhancing your home's curb appeal manifold.

If you're a beginner or a first-time homeowner, there are chances that you might get overwhelmed with the many shrub varieties available and may need help choosing the best bushes from among them. We'll help you narrow down your choices by focusing on easy-to-grow shrubs which are lovely to look at and thrive in your climate.

Before buying bushes for your house, it's important that you always check if a plant is invasive in your region. You may want to visit a reliable site such as the National Invasive Species Information Center for advice. That way, you won't waste your time cultivating a plant that won't thrive in your climate zone.

Growing the right type of foundation plants and bushes has many benefits — both aesthetic as well as practical. They help hide your property's foundations, create a natural transition from your garden to the house, and improve your curb appeal. An attractive property will be appealing to potential home buyers — and may even increase your home's resale value.

What's more, evergreen shrubs will provide your yard all-year color. With proper care and maintenance, your front landscape can be beautiful and enticing. So, here are 15 shrubs and bushes for the front of the house that will never go out of style.

Evergreen bushes for the front of your house

Sprinter Boxwood Shrubs aka Buxus Microphylla "Bulthouse"

Average size: 4 feet tall, spreading to 3 feet
Watering requirement: Weekly
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom period: White flowers in mid-spring
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zone: 5-8
Soil needs: Loves mulching

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Green Mountain Boxwood aka Buxus Sempervirens "Green Mountain"

Average size: 5 feet tall, spreading to 3 feet
Watering requirement: Regular to weekly
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom period: White flowers in mid-spring
USDA hardiness zone: 4-9
Soil needs: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil

Green Mountain Boxwood, with its greenish-cream flowers, is perfect for a large yard that's slightly elevated. It beautifully enhances the facade with its tallness. Due to the conical leaves, it's almost like having Christmas trees as your front liners. The bush grows moderately, approximately 3-6 inches a year. And, it naturally keeps deer away.

Keep in mind that the bush is toxic and may emit a temporary unpleasant odor right after pruning.

Smooth Hydrangea aka Hydrangea arborescens aka sheep flower

Average size: Up to 10 feet in height and width
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to dappled shade
Watering requirement: Regular to weekly; more if receives full sun
USDA hardiness zone: 4-9
Soil needs: Medium, well-draining soil

Also known as sevenbark, this flowering shrub is a native plant of the Eastern United States. The ornamental shrub is hugely popular in that region and has numerous varieties with differently colored flowers, including white and bright pink blooms.

Densa Japanese aka Yew Taxus Cuspidate

Average size: 4 feet tall, spreading 6 feet
Watering: Regular
Sunlight: Full sun to full shade
Bloom Period: Non-flowering
USDA hardiness zone: 4b
Soil needs: Well-draining soil regardless of its acidity

This dense evergreen dark green bush is quite a spreader in nature — perfect as your yard's front borders. Densa Japanese Yew has needle-like foliage that, interestingly, turns reddish-green in winters. This shrub can thrive in most zones and is tolerant of urban pollution. However, it does require mulching during winters. Keep in mind that Japanese yew is toxic if ingested by pets or humans. It's deer-resistant too.

Emerald Fountain aka Tsuga Canadensis "Monler"

Average size: 6-10 feet tall, spreading 2-3 feet
Watering schedule: Regular
Sunlight requirement: Part shade to full shade
USDA hardiness zone: 4-7
Soil needs: Any type of soil that drains well and is averagely moist

Also known as Canadian hemlock, this lush, non-flowering, bush is part of the pine species with dense, needle-like leaves. It's perfect as an evergreen hedge, screen, or stand-alone bush. You can identify the conical shrub by its red-brown stems and dark green small leaves.

This shrub is not drought-tolerant and requires regular watering. And, it's non-poisonous to humans and animals

Sea Green Juniper aka Juniperus Chinensis "Sea Green"

Average size: 3 feet tall, spreading to 6 feet
Watering schedule: Regular
Sunlight requirement: Full sun
USDA hardiness zone: 3a
Soil needs: Any soil type that drains well

This variety of juniper has lovely bluish-green foliage. Interestingly, its branches arch beautifully — almost like fireworks on display. The blueberry-like fruits it bears are not edible. This shrub does require some maintenance and regular check-ups and pruning. Otherwise, it's tolerant of urban pollution, daily smoke, and heat. The evergreen shrub is not harmful to pets and humans.

Asparagus Fern aka Asparagus Densiflorus "Myersii"

Average size: 2 to 3 feet tall, spreading 3-4 feet
Watering: Regular to occasional
Sunlight: Partial shade
Bloom period: White small flowers in the summer
USDA hardiness zone: 9-11
Soil needs: Moist soil that drains well

Asparagus fern aka foxtail fern is a low-growing evergreen with dense foliage. The bush arches with its feathery stems and bright green leaves. The color of this evergreen shrub, originally a native of South Africa, ranges from yellow, pale green to deep green.

Foxtail fern is not able to tolerate cold temperatures, and can sometimes be invasive. It's mildly toxic to humans and may cause skin irritation or gastrointestinal problems if ingested.

Evergreen Azalea aka Rhododendron Indicum

Average size: 2-3 feet in height and diameter
Watering schedule: Regular; that too only when the topsoil dries up
Sunlight requirement: Partial shade
Bloom period: Red flowers in mid-spring (May to June)
USDA hardiness zone: 7-9
Soil needs: Constant moisture. Rich, fertilized, acidic soil (pH of 6.5)

There's something ethereal about the broadleaf evergreen shrub with its scarlet flowers and shiny green leaves. The leaves turn reddish during winters. Native to Japan, the shrub tolerates cooler summers as well as winters. And, it reacts well to mulching, especially when the winter wind is prominent.

However, do keep in mind that azaleas are prone to root rot when left in stagnant water. Moreover, they are vulnerable to pests and diseases if not cared for.

American Arborvitae aka Thuja occidentalis "Danica"

Average size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Watering requirement: Regular
Sunlight requirement: Full sun; may tolerate some shade
Hardiness zone: 1-7
Soil needs: Tolerates a wide range of areas, even wet areas

This dwarf, coniferous shrub is dense and rounded. It has upright, bright green leaves that tint bronze in the winter. The evergreen compact shrub looks great as a front yard garden fixture — usually between larger shrubs, small trees, and ground cover.

Georgia Petite Indian Hawthorn aka Rhaphiolepis X Delacourii "Georgia Petite"

Average size: 2.5 ft tall and 3.5 ft wide
Watering schedule: Regular to weekly
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom period: White fragrant flowers during spring
Hardiness zone: 7-10
Soil needs: Evenly moist soil that drains well

The shrub is exquisite. Especially when it blossoms — looking like tiny popcorns with pink buds — almost like a wedding aisle in your front yard. The fragrant flowers contrast beautifully with the dark green dense foliage. The plant is mildly drought-resistant and disease-resistant.

Brilliant Hibiscus aka Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis "Brilliant"

Average size: 8-10 ft tall and 4-6 ft wide
Watering schedule: Regular to occasional
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom period: Red flowers during spring and summer
Hardiness zone: 7-10
Soil needs: Moist, well-draining soil

The tropical hibiscus is perfect for your flowering hedge — what with the green leaves and big red flowers having red stigmas and yellow anthers. The evergreen plant is quite versatile and can be planted as a flower bed, border, or foundation bushes for the front of the house. While it's a relatively low-maintenance shrub, it does get a little sensitive to changing temperatures. The plant is generally used in medical practice. However, it's believed to be toxic for cats.

Chinese Snowball aka Viburnum Macrocephalum

Average size: 6-15 feet high and 10-12 ft wide
Watering schedule: Moderate
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom period: White round flowers during summer and spring
Hardiness zone: 6-9
Soil needs: Slightly acidic soil with good drainage

Chinese snowball Viburnum looks beautiful with its cluster of greenish flowers which turn into white flowers over time. The cluster grows up to 8 inches. The plant's growth rate is medium and requires moderate care. If you're looking to host beautiful butterflies in your garden, Chinese snowballs are your go-to evergreen shrub. And, it's not poisonous to pets and humans.

Carol Mackie aka Daphne X Burkwoodii

Average size: 3-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
Watering routine: Regular
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom period: Fragrant white to pink flowers in spring and then in late summer to early fall
Hardiness zone: 4-9
Soil needs: Good drainage soil

Here's an evergreen bush with an interesting leaf pattern — green outlined leaves with yellow to creamy white lines.

Keep in mind that this shrub doesn't appreciate replanting once established. In that sense, it's only suitable for long-term garden landscapes. Also, overwatering or snow can cause root rot. So, if it suddenly dies on you, these could be the probable reasons. Daphne shrubs are poisonous and hence not suitable if you have pets or young children.

Camellia aka Camellia Japonica

Average size: 7-12 feet high and 5-10 feet wide
Watering schedule: Regular but no overwatering
Sunlight requirement: Dappled and shaded
Bloom period: White, pink, red, yellow, or lavender flowers in mid-late winter
Hardiness zone: 7-9
Soil needs: Moist, acidic soil that's well-fertilized

Camellia shrubs are one of the most popular evergreens, best suited for regions with cold climates. In fact, the cold can promote its flowering. The leaves are oval and glossy. The best part about camellias is that they are not toxic. Everything about the plant — from seeds and flowers to leaves are edible. The shrub may require some protection from the direct heat of the afternoon sun and strong winds. Due to their shallow roots, the plant benefits from mulching.

Redosier Dogwood aka Cornus Sericea

Average size: 7-9 feet in height
Watering requirement: Regular
Sunlight requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom period: White blossoms in late spring
Hardiness zone: 2-7
Soil needs: Quite versatile, prefers moist, well-drained soil

Also called red willow, this deciduous shrub is popular due to its deep red stems. Also, the fast-growing shrub bears white blossoms and small white berries that seem to embellish the plant in a beautiful manner. Annual pruning is sufficient. As a bonus, the shrub's fibrous root system is great for controlling soil erosion.

Read more: Outstanding benefits of landscaping

Last thoughts

Front yard landscaping is all about planting different types of shrubs, flowers, and trees to provide year-round freshness and seasonal pops of color. The above evergreen shrubs for the front of the house will give you enviable, lush greenery that will take your home's curb appeal to the next level.

Written by Ramona Sinha. June 16, 2021

Ramona is a content writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. An avid traveler, she's a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depths of her soul.

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Source: https://blog.mykukun.com/bushes-for-front-of-house/