Best Low Maintenance Shrubs For Front Of House (2024 Update)
If you’re looking for a way to improve the curb appeal of your home while saving time and effort on yard work, investing in low maintenance shrubs for the front of your house is a smart choice. Not only are they easy to care for, but they can also add color and texture to your landscape design.
Before making a purchase, there are a few factors to consider. It’s important to think about the climate and soil conditions of your area to ensure that the shrubs you choose will thrive. You should also consider the mature size of the shrub to make sure it fits the space in front of your house. Additionally, look for shrubs that require minimal pruning and watering for the ultimate low maintenance solution.
Are you tired of spending hours on yard work every week? Do you want to save money on landscaping while still having a beautiful front yard? If so, investing in low maintenance shrubs for the front of your house is the perfect solution. But with so many different options available, how do you choose the best one? How do you ensure that the shrubs you select will thrive in your specific climate and soil conditions? Keep reading to discover the answers to all your questions and more!
10 Best Low Maintenance Shrubs For Front Of House
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Ideal for creating low-maintenance, evergreen hedges that thrive in full sun outdoor environments.
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Ideal for adding vibrant color to landscaping, with drought and heat tolerance, and requires little maintenance.
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Ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant flowering shrub option.
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The product is ideal for attracting and nourishing butterflies with its plentiful nectar.
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Ideal for low maintenance evergreen groundcover, perfect for landscaping projects and adding texture to barren areas.
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Ideal for those looking for low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, evergreen ground cover for their yard or garden.
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Ideal for creating a formal and evergreen hedge or border that is cold hardy and fast-growing.
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The product is ideal for creating a fragrant evergreen privacy hedge with 10 live wax myrtle plants.
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Ideal for creating low-maintenance evergreen hedges in full sun outdoor areas.
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10
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Ideal for creating an easy-care hedge that grows in shaded areas with glossy foliage.
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1. Japanese Boxwood (2.5 Gallon) Low-Maintenance Evergreen Hedge Shrub – Full Sun Live Outdoor Plant…
This product is an evergreen plant, scientifically known as Buxus microphylla var. japonica, that is well-suited for hedges and foundation planting. It is a mature plant that can grow up to 5-6' in height and 4-6' in width, with a hardiness range of USDA Zones 5-9.
One notable feature of this plant is its deer resistance and drought tolerance, making it a low-maintenance option for those living in areas with frequent wildlife encounters or limited rainfall. The plant is shipped in a pot with soil for ease of planting and care.
It is important to note that this item cannot be shipped to Hawaii, Tennessee, or Alaska due to state regulations. However, for those residing in appropriate areas, this evergreen offers a traditional and classic aesthetic for landscaping projects.
2. Southern Living Obsession Nandina 2 Gal, Bright Red Foliage
This plant boasts stunning leaf color that can be enjoyed throughout all four seasons, making it a great addition to any outdoor space. It is suitable for planting in USDA zones 6-10, ensuring that it can thrive in a variety of climates. For optimal growth, it is recommended to plant this species in an area with access to both sunlight and partial shade.
One of the best things about this plant is its low maintenance needs, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels of experience. It requires watering twice a week until it becomes established, after which it only needs to be watered once per week. This means less time spent watering and more time enjoying the beautiful foliage.
In terms of its specifications, this plant is a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-care-for option that will add interest and color to their outdoor space. With its stunning leaf color and low maintenance needs, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
3. Drought-Tolerant Texas Sage Trio
Florida Foliage is proud to offer Texas Sage plants that are grown, packaged, and shipped exclusively by their team. These bushes are known for their easy-care nature, compact size, and drought-resistant properties. The oval leaves are soft to the touch and feature a silver-gray color that shimmers in the sunlight. During summer and fall, beautiful tubular flowers in shades of pink, blue, and purple bloom, creating a stunning contrast against the plant's foliage.
To maintain the plant's rounded shape and reduce dense foliage, it is recommended to prune Texas Sage in early spring. This process also helps older plants that may become straggly over time. These bushes regenerate quickly and are semideciduous, meaning they lose some of their foliage during colder months.
Texas Sage is an excellent choice for areas where it is usually difficult to grow plants due to dry and dusty conditions. Its silver foliage and lovely flowers make it stand out in a sea of green. It is essential to plant Texas Sage in a well-drained area or else it won't survive. Mounding dirt up around the plant can also help with drainage, even during rainy seasons.
Leucophyllums, or Texas Sage, is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of landscaping situations, including as focal points, visual and wind screens, accents, and wildlife habitats. With the onset of summer monsoons, Texas Sage bursts into a beautiful array of colors, earning it the nickname "barometer plant." These plants can survive on very little supplemental watering, except during periods of extreme drought, and can even die if overwatered.
The showy hot pink flower clusters at the ends of the branches make Texas Sage a stunning addition to any garden in mid-summer. The silver foliage with its grayish-green variegation remains highly ornamental throughout the winter months. While the fruit is not significant, the smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to any landscape.
4. Perfect Plants Black Knight Butterfly 3 Gal. (Black Knight Butterfly Bush,)
The Black Knight Butterfly Bush is a low-maintenance and easy-to-care-for plant that is perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of color and fragrance to their landscape. It is resistant to rabbits and can tolerate drought conditions, making it an ideal choice for those who don't have a lot of time to devote to gardening. Once planted, this bush requires only occasional watering, so you can set it and forget it.
One of the standout features of the Black Knight Butterfly Bush is its aromatic flowers. The purple conical flower heads emit a sweet honey-like fragrance that will fill any space with a pleasant aroma. Not only is this fragrance enjoyable for humans, but it also attracts a variety of wildlife, including butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. This makes the Black Knight Butterfly Bush an excellent choice for those who want to create a welcoming habitat for pollinators in their yard.
Another advantage of the Black Knight Butterfly Bush is its fast growth rate. It can reach a height of 6-10 feet tall in just two growing seasons, which means you won't have to wait long to enjoy the beauty of its attractive blooms. The purple flowers are sure to bring bright bursts of color to any landscape, whether they're planted in shrub borders, foundation plantings, gardens, or other areas.
5. Wiltonii Groundcover Bundle – 30 Live Junipers
Florida Foliage offers a high-quality trailing juniper, exclusively grown, packaged, and shipped by them. This plant is a beautiful addition to any landscape, boasting a uniform, full-centered growth habit with stunning silver-blue evergreen foliage.
The Blue Rug juniper is an excellent choice for large scale groundcovers or cascading over walls, adding a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. During winter, its foliage turns a purplish-bronze color, adding an extra layer of visual interest.
One of the key benefits of this cultivar, Wiltonii, is its rapid spreading ability. This makes it ideal for homeowners who need to install ground covers quickly, particularly on an incline to control erosion.
These low-growing evergreen shrubs are a versatile addition to any landscape, and they can be grown on flat land as well. However, their true value lies in their ability to cover a sunny slope, providing three benefits at once: erosion control, weed control, and eliminating the need to mow where footing is bad.
6. Evergreen Drought-Tolerant Ground Cover Trio
Florida Foliage is proud to offer their exclusive Emerald Goddess Lily Turf. This superior selection is highly resistant to crown rot, and boasts good cold and drought tolerance. The foliage remains a stunning dark green throughout winter, making it a great choice for year-round color. The flowers are a more intense purple, a more uniform size, and longer-lasting than other varieties.
This Lily Turf is perfect for use along the front of borders or as a groundcover. Its strap-leaf foliage can be arranged to appear either very formal as edging or quite informal in irregularly shaped drifts and clumps. It thrives in average, well-drained soils, and is adaptable to a range of soil types. Watering regularly during the first growing season will help establish an extensive root system, and it can tolerate mild drought once established.
Emerald Goddess Lily Turf is a great plant for urban gardens or apartment balconies. It will thrive in courtyards and atriums, where soils remain perpetually moist, and is beautiful in dry streambeds or beside water gardens and fountains. It fits well into Asian-inspired schemes and as a texture contrast in Fern dells. It also makes charming potted plants for greenery amidst more exotic blossoms.
To maintain a tidy appearance, simply remove old, faded foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring for best results. This plant features dainty spikes of purple flowers rising above the foliage in late summer. Its attractive grassy leaves emerge light green in spring, turning dark green in color for the rest of the year. It also features an abundance of magnificent black berries in early fall.
7. Fast-Growing Winter Gem Boxwood – 10 Live Plants
The Winter Gem Korean Boxwood, grown, packaged, and shipped exclusively by Florida Foliage, is an evergreen shrub that serves as an excellent option for small hedges. Its rich green foliage can acquire a golden bronze hue in cold winter zones, but it is one of the first to become green again in spring, making it a wonderful addition to formal gardens and providing year-round interest.
The Winter Gem Korean Boxwood is the classic hedge plant, with its dense and evergreen growth that makes it perfect for shearing into a small, formal hedge. It is ideal for defining different spaces in the garden or for a tidy foundation cover-up. Additionally, it is especially lovely against red brick and can be used as a partition to divide your front yard or driveway from your neighbor's. It is also beautiful as background foliage and creates lovely topiaries, particularly in cone shapes if planted where it snows. The Winter Gem Korean Boxwood is an excellent plant for parterres and hedge mazes.
The Winter Gem Korean Boxwood is a round-shaped cultivar that is relatively vigorous and tolerates a wide range of sites and uses. Its new foliage emerges in a lime-green color and transitions to a deep, glossy green. Although it has a tendency to bronze when exposed to direct winter sun, the bronzing will quickly disappear in spring as temperatures rise and new growth emerges. The Winter Gem Korean Boxwood is very similar to the cultivars ‘Wintergreen’ or ‘Faulkner’ and is deer resistant.
One should prune the Winter Gem Korean Boxwood each year in late winter to early spring to maintain the desired shape. Hand pruners or shears can be used, and additional lighter prunings may be necessary in early to mid-summer depending on the desired look and vigor of the plant. The Winter Gem Korean Boxwood tolerates more radical pruning if the plant has outgrown its desired size. Thinning is not necessary on this cultivar, and it is very resistant to boxwood leafminer and very tolerant to boxwood blight.
The Winter Gem Korean Boxwood is the go-to boxwood for colder areas of the country and is much more hardy than other boxwoods. It will stay fresh and green all winter, even with temperatures falling to minus 20. If you want boxwood hedges, balls, and other clipped shapes, or just want a naturally-dense and rounded evergreen shrub, this reliable plant will give you what you want.
8. Wax Myrtle – 10 Live Plants – Myrica Cerifera Bayberry – Aromatic Evergreen Screening Hedge
Florida Foliage exclusively grows, packages, and ships the Wax Myrtle plant, which boasts glossy, olive-green, and fragrant foliage that brings to mind bayberry candles. The plant features clusters of waxy, bluish gray berries that last throughout winter and has attractive bark that tends to develop multiple stems. The Wax Myrtle is an evergreen plant that makes an excellent screen or specimen and is easy to care for.
To establish a deep, extensive root system, it is advisable to follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season. Additionally, feeding with a general-purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring is recommended. For a neat and tidy appearance, annual shearing to shape is ideal.
If you're looking to create a partition or screen, the Wax Myrtle is a perfect choice. Its dense foliage and quick-growing nature make it an excellent shrub option. Plant them in a row to define your property line or accentuate your front patio. The Wax Myrtle's foliage and berries are pleasingly fragrant, making it a great addition to your outdoor living space. The fruit matures in the fall and remains throughout winter, attracting a multitude of birds.
The Wax Myrtle is an eco-friendly plant that returns nitrogen to the soil and repels insects organically. Additionally, it is deer-resistant, heat, and drought-tolerant. Known for its adaptability, the Wax Myrtle can handle moist or dry soil and even grows well in infertile soils. These plants are easy to care for, and they practically take care of themselves.
9. Wintergreen Boxwood (2.5 Gallon) Low-Maintenance Evergreen Hedge Shrub – Full Sun Live Outdoor Plant
Introducing the Buxus Microphylla Wintergreen, a must-have for any landscape enthusiast. This plant is a staple in any garden with its mature size of 3-5' H x 3-5' W. Its petite leaves require little pruning, making it the perfect foundation plant for any garden.
Not only does it add beauty to your garden, but it also provides deep and rich hedge protection. It serves as an excellent privacy screen and acts as a noise barrier from busy streets or high-traffic areas. You can prune it into a topiary to impress your neighbors and further enhance the beauty of your garden.
The Buxus Microphylla Wintergreen is a hardy plant that can withstand the coldest winter temperatures. It belongs to the cold-hardy boxwood collection and can survive down to -20 to -10 °F once established.
Please note that this item cannot be shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, and Tennessee, but it comes in a pot with soil for your convenience. This plant is hardy in zones 5-9, making it an excellent addition to any garden in these areas.
The Buxus Microphylla Wintergreen is a non-flowering plant, but its beauty is not dependent on its blooms. It thrives in full sun exposure, so be sure to choose a spot in your garden with plenty of sunlight.
10. Shade-Loving Skip Laurel: Glossy, Easy Hedge.
This Skip Laurel plant is a great addition to any garden or patio, adding a refreshing touch of greenery. While it may not be mature upon arrival, it is the perfect size for instant greenery and color. However, please note that due to federal restrictions, this plant cannot be shipped to Arizona. If you live in Arizona and order this tree, your order will be cancelled.
Upon delivery, you may notice that your plants are a little drier than expected. Not to worry, simply unpack them and give them a healthy drink of water. They should perk right back up. If you have any questions or concerns about your plants, our team is available to assist you.
When caring for your new Skip Laurel, it is important to water it regularly, about 2-3 times a week. This will help it thrive and grow into a healthy plant. If you have any issues with your plant or our service, please notify us immediately or within 30 days of receipt. We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction and will work to correct any problems.
Best Low Maintenance Shrubs For Front Of House FAQs
What are some evergreen shrubs that require minimal maintenance?
There are several evergreen shrubs that are low-maintenance and require minimal care. Here are a few options:
1. Boxwood: This is a classic, low-maintenance evergreen shrub that is perfect for hedges, borders, and topiaries.
2. Holly: This is a versatile shrub that can be used for privacy, as a hedge, or as a focal point in the garden. It also produces attractive berries that add color to the landscape.
3. Juniper: This is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub that is perfect for low-maintenance landscapes. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be used as a groundcover, hedge, or specimen plant.
4. Yew: This is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that is perfect for formal gardens and hedges. It is also resistant to pests and diseases.
5. Dwarf Alberta Spruce: This is a small, slow-growing evergreen that is perfect for small gardens or as a container plant. It requires minimal pruning and is very low-maintenance.
Remember to choose the shrubs that fit your specific needs and climate zone, and to plant them in the right location with appropriate soil, water, and light conditions to ensure their success.
What are some flowering shrubs that are easy to maintain?
There are many flowering shrubs that are easy to maintain and can add beauty to any garden. Some of the most popular options include:
1. Azaleas: These shrubs are known for their beautiful blooms that come in a range of colors. They prefer acidic soil and partial shade, and require little maintenance beyond regular watering and occasional pruning.
2. Butterfly Bush: As the name suggests, this shrub is a magnet for butterflies. It produces fragrant, colorful flowers in the summer and requires little care beyond regular watering.
3. Forsythia: This shrub is known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in early spring. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and requires little pruning beyond removing dead or damaged branches.
4. Hydrangea: These shrubs produce large, showy flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white. They prefer moist soil and partial shade, and require regular watering and occasional pruning.
5. Lilac: These shrubs produce fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and require little maintenance beyond regular watering and occasional pruning.
Overall, these shrubs are easy to maintain and can add a pop of color to any garden.
What are some low-growing shrubs that are perfect for borders in front of a house?
There are plenty of low-growing shrubs that are perfect for borders in front of a house. Here are some of them:
1. Boxwood – This is a classic choice for a low-growing shrub border. It's evergreen and has small leaves that can be trimmed to create formal hedges.
2. Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper – This shrub has a low, spreading habit and is perfect for borders. It's also very low maintenance.
3. Lavender – This fragrant shrub has beautiful purple flowers and can be pruned to create a neat, compact border.
4. Dwarf Burning Bush – This shrub has bright red foliage in the fall and is a great choice for adding a pop of color to your border.
5. Barberry – This shrub has colorful foliage and can be grown in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it a versatile choice for borders.
Remember to consider the growing conditions of your border area before selecting any shrubs. It's important to choose plants that will thrive in the amount of sunlight and soil type that your border area provides.
What are some shrubs that are resistant to pests and diseases?
There are several shrubs that are known for their resistance to pests and diseases. Here are some examples:
1. Boxwood: This popular shrub is resistant to most pests and diseases, making it a great choice for gardeners who want an easy-to-maintain plant.
2. Butterfly Bush: Also known as Buddleia, this shrub is a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds. It's resistant to most pests and diseases, and it's also drought-tolerant.
3. Spirea: This shrub is easy to care for and resistant to most pests and diseases. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, making it a versatile addition to any garden.
4. Winterberry: This shrub is known for its bright red berries that persist throughout the winter. It's also resistant to most pests and diseases, making it a great choice for a low-maintenance landscape.
5. Knockout Rose: This shrub rose is resistant to most pests and diseases, and it blooms continuously throughout the summer and fall. It's available in a variety of colors, from soft pinks to deep reds.
Keep in mind that while these shrubs are generally resistant to pests and diseases, they may still be susceptible to certain issues in certain climates or growing conditions. It's always a good idea to research specific varieties and consult with a local gardening expert before making any planting decisions.
What are some shrubs that can survive in a variety of soil types?
There are several shrubs that can thrive in a variety of soil types. One example is the versatile and popular shrub, the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). This shrub can tolerate a wide range of soil types, from sandy to loamy to clay. Another shrub that is adaptable to different soil types is the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris). Lilacs prefer well-drained soil, but they can tolerate a range of soil types, including alkaline soil. The potentilla shrub (Potentilla fruticosa) is another hardy shrub that can grow in a variety of soil types, from acidic to alkaline, and it is also drought-tolerant. Moreover, the ninebark shrub (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a hardy shrub that can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including moist and dry soils. These shrubs are easy to grow and maintain, and they can add beauty and texture to any garden or landscape.
What are the best low maintenance shrubs for the front of a house?
There are several low maintenance shrubs that are perfect for the front of a house. Here are a few recommendations:
1. Boxwood: A popular choice for its evergreen foliage, boxwood shrubs require minimal pruning and can thrive in a variety of light conditions.
2. Yew: Another evergreen option, yew shrubs are slow-growing and require little maintenance beyond occasional pruning.
3. Dwarf Alberta Spruce: This compact shrub is easy to care for and can add a touch of elegance to any landscape.
4. Knock Out Rose: A beautiful and low maintenance flowering shrub, the Knock Out Rose requires little pruning and is disease-resistant.
5. Juniper: With a variety of shapes and sizes available, juniper shrubs can be used as ground cover or as larger focal points in the landscape. They are drought-tolerant and require minimal care.
When selecting shrubs for the front of your house, be sure to consider the climate and growing conditions in your area to ensure their success.
What are the most drought-tolerant shrubs for the front of a house?
When it comes to choosing drought-tolerant shrubs for the front of your house, there are several options that can thrive in arid conditions. One great option is the lavender plant, which is not only drought-resistant but also adds a beautiful pop of color to any landscape. Another option is the butterfly bush, which is known for its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds while still being able to withstand dry conditions. The yucca plant is another great choice, as it is incredibly hardy and can withstand both drought and extreme temperatures. Other drought-tolerant shrubs to consider include the Russian sage, the barberry, and the potentilla, all of which are beautiful and low-maintenance options for any front yard. When selecting drought-tolerant shrubs, be sure to choose ones that are well-suited to your specific climate and soil conditions in order to ensure their long-term health and vitality.
Which shrubs are best for adding curb appeal without requiring a lot of upkeep?
If you're looking to add curb appeal to your home without having to spend a lot of time and energy maintaining your landscape, there are a few low-maintenance shrubs that might be just what you need. Here are a few options that are easy to care for and can add some visual interest to your yard:
1. Boxwood: This evergreen shrub is a classic choice for adding structure to a garden bed or creating a hedge. It can be pruned to maintain its shape, but otherwise requires minimal care.
2. Dwarf Korean Lilac: This shrub produces fragrant, lavender-colored blooms in the spring and is relatively low-maintenance. It can be pruned after the flowers have faded to keep it looking tidy.
3. Spirea: This deciduous shrub comes in a variety of colors, from pink to white to gold, and requires little in the way of maintenance beyond an annual pruning to remove dead or damaged branches.
4. Ninebark: This shrub has colorful foliage that can range from deep burgundy to golden yellow, depending on the variety. It's also drought-tolerant and can handle a range of soil types.
Ultimately, the best shrubs for your yard will depend on your climate, soil type, and personal preferences. It's always a good idea to do some research and talk to a local nursery or gardening expert to find the right plants for your specific needs.
Which shrubs are best for adding privacy to the front of a house without requiring a lot of maintenance?
There are several shrubs that can provide privacy to the front of a house with minimal maintenance. One option is the boxwood shrub, which is known for its dense foliage and ability to be pruned into a formal shape. Another option is the holly shrub, which has spiky leaves that provide a natural deterrent to intruders. Both of these options are evergreen, meaning they will provide privacy year-round. The dwarf Alberta spruce is another option for adding privacy to the front of a house. This shrub is slow-growing, so it requires minimal pruning, and its conical shape adds an elegant touch to any landscape. Finally, the yew shrub is a popular choice for privacy due to its dense foliage and ability to be pruned into a variety of shapes. These shrubs require little maintenance beyond occasional pruning and watering, making them an excellent choice for homeowners who want privacy without a lot of upkeep.
Which shrubs require the least amount of pruning and care?
There are several shrubs that require minimal pruning and care. One of the best options is the Japanese boxwood shrub. It has a slow growth rate and can be trimmed into a neat and tidy shape with just one or two prunings per year. Another low-maintenance shrub is the dwarf burning bush. It requires very little pruning and is also resistant to pests and diseases. The dwarf globe blue spruce is another shrub that requires minimal care. Its compact size and slow growth rate mean that it only needs occasional pruning to maintain its shape. Other low-maintenance shrubs include the dwarf Korean lilac, the butterfly bush, and the yew shrub. It's important to note that even low-maintenance shrubs still require some care, such as regular watering and occasional fertilization.
