Foundation Shrubs: They don’t have to be boring!

December 23, 2014 | By webadmin

Despite the wonderful array of waterwise plants we have to choose from here in Dallas, there seem to be only a handful of shrubs used for foundation plantings. Often, the entire home is surrounded by only one variety of shrub. While this may be practical in some sense, it can often be...well, boring!  There’s no reason you can’t add some variety to your foundation plantings without sacrificing ease of care.

The front of our home is the first impression someone is given as they walk or drive by. In addition to providing protection for your home’s foundation, foundation shrubs should also complement and enhance your home’s architecture. To create more visual interest and curb appeal, considering layering a variety of shrubs around your foundation, rather than planting a single row of just one variety. Plant your landscape with layers of shrubs, perennials, annuals and even hardscape elements such as container gardens or statuary. A successful landscape design will also provide interest from season to season.

We often see homes in the Dallas area that are framed with rows of overly pruned hedges such as boxwoods or hollies, as is in the above photo. While this might appear to give the home a tidy look, it can also make a home look very dated. There is little to no variation in the layers of green. Over time, these plants become weak and unattractive due to all the hard pruning they regularly receive.

Here are a few foundation shrub alternatives we love:

• Loropetalum
• Abelia
• Texas Sage
• Roses
• Wax Myrtle
• Dwarf Myrtle
• Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’
• Nandina ‘Obsession’

Foundation beds are often also too shallow for the scale of the home. We usually recommend extending the foundation beds to deepen them, which will allow for more plant layering and give the landscape and home a larger appearance.  If you still love the look of sheared, formal hedges, there are ways to implement this style with grace and beauty as we discussed here.

Before & After Foundation Bed Renovation

Here’s a home we took from drab to WOW with minimal changes. Their home was lined with very shallow foundation planter boxes filled with one variety of shrub. The look was dated and the plantings were completely out of scale for the size of the home. By extending and deepening the foundation beds , we completely transformed the look of the home and the curb appeal.

Rather than lining the beds with a row of shrubs, we layered a variety of roses, loropetalum, ornamental grasses and a bright red container topped with a sculptural agave to create more interest. The neighbors were so happy with the changes they made, these homeowners won their neighborhood’s Yard of the Month award soon after!

Another reason why variety is good in the garden? Wildlife! To attract birds, butterflies and bees to your landscape, you’ll want different plants that bloom each season to offer food, nectar and shelter. Blooming trees, perennials, and even edibles will bring lots of colorful winged creatures for you to enjoy.

Ready to take your home’s curb appeal to the next level? Start the new year off right by scheduling a consultation. We’ll get to know you, your family and your lifestyle to create the perfect look for your landscape! In the meantime, have you checked out our inspiration boards and books on Pinterest and Houzz?