It's a good plant for heavy shade and wet areas in acid soil, and it withstands coastal spray. They are commonly used in mass … Choose from several named varieties. Plant it in partial shade and slightly acid soil high in organic content. Fountain butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia) is a spring bloomer with lilac flower clusters along gracefully arching stems. Tops in the Midwest, Northeast, Great Plains and Rockies. Creeping Junipers. are excellent for a foundation planting in full sun. The plant typically grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads slowly by suckers to form dense clumps. The many varieties of peonies (Paeonia lactiflora var.) Moderate to slow growers podocarpus or dwarf yaupon holly are often kept manicured, but you can let them grow … Their hearty nature and low-maintenance makes them an easy plant to use as a hedge, in … In hot weather, the silvery or green foliage (as on 'Green Cloud,' shown) is accented with purple bell-shaped flowers. It's a broad, spreading shrub, 8 to 10 feet wide or more. 'Pallida' Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis 'Pallida,' also called H. intermedia 'Pallida') is valued for vivid fall foliage and ribbonlike fragrant, sulfur-yellow flowers that bloom on bare stems February through March. Evergreen to 10°, hardy to -10°. It dies back to the ground in the coldest reaches of its adapted area, but re-sprouts from the base and blooms on new wood. She has an Associate of Arts from Rogue Community College with a certificate in computer information systems. This widely adapted plant tolerates extreme cold, a variety of soils and exposures, and thrives on much or little water. Several striking varieties are available, including 'Aurea', with bright golden foliage. Plant this shrub in well-drained, slightly acid soil. Dwarf coral hedge barberry (Berberis x stenophylla “Corallina Compacta”) grows a dense mound 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall in USDA zones 5 through 10 covered with tiny, green leaves and masses of yellowish-orange spring blossoms followed by ornamental dark blue fall berries. The shrub adapts to a wide range of conditions but prefers moist soil in full sun (afternoon shade in the hottest areas). Low-Maintenance Landscaping Shrubs and Bushes,  The 5 Best Benchtop Drill Presses (2020). This shrub is perfect in groupings and does best in moist, rich, well-drained soil in light to moderate shade. While ground cover foundation plants that are low and spreading can be used, these should be kept at least 12 inches (30 cm.) Use the shrub as an informal screen or grouped in a mixed shrub border with evergreens. The following information is included for each species: common name, scientific name, maximum size, growth rate (vines only), light preference, salt tolerance, and other useful characteristics. Group plants for a low divider, informal screen or high ground cover. A continuous planting of one kind of ground cover can actually tie other foundation plantings together, creating unity among groups of shrubs … Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), with unbranched vertical stems up to 7 feet tall, has a feathery texture, creamy-white summer flowers, scarlet fall fruit and brightly colored foliage throughout the year. Heather. That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. A well-planted and well-maintained peony will happily grow and bloom in the same l… Juniperus horizontalis. Choose shrubs that maintain dense foliage from top to bottom and consider what is available in your region. Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is deer-resistant and deciduous, with thorny stems that make it a good foundation plant for increasing home security. Cape plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, produces long, thin stems topped with pale blue, phlox-like flowers in the summer and fall. Dark-green lustrous leaves turn purplish red in cold weather. Chamaecyparis pisifera. Use this somewhat leggy shrub as a filler or in background plantings. Plant loropetalum in foregrounds and woodland gardens. Best in Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast. low maintenance and does not require pruning There are so many choices for foundation plants or low maintenance shrubs that are perfect for planting in the front of your house. Every garden and yard should include shrubs. Compact/Low Maintenance. Here’s what these hardworking plants can do for your yard: For additional shrub recommendations and plant sources for your region, consult the organizations listed below, along with your local extension service, nurseries, and botanic gardens. Flowers last for up to two months during summer; if spent flowers are removed it often reblooms. Depending on variety, use heavenly bamboo as a ground cover, accent plant or in mixed plantings. Karen Carter spent three years as a technology specialist in the public school system and her writing has appeared in the "Willapa Harbor Herald" and the "Rogue College Byline." Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is deer-resistant and deciduous, with thorny stems that make it a good foundation plant for increasing home security. Handsome dark-green leaves turn pale yellow to golden in fall. This conifer produces dark blue, berry-like cones and adapts to nearly any type of soil. 5 Great Foundation Plants The Backbone of the Landscape. 5 min read | Apr 3, 2013 | Plants . The dwarf, white-flowered variety 'Hummingbird,' shown left with pink-flowered 'Ruby Spice,' grows 3 to 4 feet tall with an equal spread. In late winter to early spring, spicy-scented white flowers open from dense, 4-inch snowball-shaped clusters of pink buds. They fit their spaces without constant pruning and shaping, and they bloom earlier or longer, or with more blooms and … Juniper. Slow-growing, dwarf, or compact varieties are a smart choice, especially under windows. Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense) is a neat plant with subtle beauty in its arching, tiered branches and spidery white or pink spring flowers. For the purposes of this article we will define “foundation plant” as a plant … That’s where our selection comes in. Modern design uses these shrubs to complement the building’s appearance rather than hide it. The variety 'Rubrum' ('Razzleberri'), shown, has purplish leaves and bright rosy-pink flowers. You can buy then in shade tolerant varieties or sun loving types. A yard without shrubs is like a kitchen without appliances. Plants reach 4 to 6 feet tall with equal spread. Evergreen, hardy to 10°. Once established, this compact, dense shrub is drought … Small, deep-green leaves turn yellow, orange and red in fall. Azaleas. The only real trick to growing shrubs is picking the right ones from among the many hundreds available. Native to the Southwest and Northern Mexico. Deciduous, -40°. It prefers full sun in foggy coastal areas and partial shade inland. Use this shrub in rock gardens, on slopes or as a screen. Faulkner boxwood (Buxus microphylla “Faulkner”) produces oval, glossy green leaves and grows 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide in USDA zones 5 through 9. Deciduous, hardy to -30°. Plant them close enough so the leaves of adjacent plants will overlap slightly at maturity. It grows best in full sun and needs no supplemental water. Provide well-drained, slightly acid soil in full sun to partial shade. Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia), one of the few summer-blooming shrubs that flower in the shade, is prized for its fragrant white or pink flowers. Deciduous bushes lose their leaves in the fall, so the best ones to use as foundation plants are those with decorative features besides their leaves. The Juniper genus is widely spread all across the world throughout the northern hemisphere. We wouldn’t necessarily call these miniatures, but this group of compact and low-maintenance plants made the list because they have a compact growth habit that happens to work well for small spots. They may be effective hedge or foundation plants … Rhododendron is a favorite for showy spring flowers and glossy green leaves; shorter varieties … Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. Deciduous bushes lose their leaves in the fall, so the best ones to use as foundation plants are those with decorative features besides their leaves. Other shrubs brighten the foundation in winter with their attractive stems, berries, or winter blooms. If you’re looking for a tool to bore through metal or wood, read our review on the best benchtop drill presses on Amazon to find one for your next DIY project. They are typically dense and low maintenance plants for a woodland garden or forest edge. Native to Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. The Crimson Kiss has extraordinary … Letting the (Natural) Light In | 2020 Cottage on the Cape. Deciduous, hardy to -20°. Evergreen, hardy 0° to 10°. Partially evergreen, hardy to -20°. Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana “Contorta”) grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, reaching up to 10 feet tall and wide when mature. Depending on variety, it grows 3 to 10 feet tall and just as wide. It tolerates some drought once established. Blue star juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star') is a small, slow-growing, rounded bush that is a good choice … If cut back to the ground in autumn, it flowers on new wood the following summer. Foundation plants are the backbone of our landscapes! Beadlike red berries brighten the yard in winter. Regional plant-awards programs and contacts for award-winning plants: Tower Hill Botanic GardenWorcester County Horticultural SocietyBox 598Boylston, MA 01505-0598www.towerhillbg.org508-869-6111, Florida Nurserymen and Gardeners Association1533 Park Center Dr.Orlando, FL 32835www.fngla.org401-295-7994, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,100 N. 20th St., 5th floorPhiladelphia, PA 19103-1495www.phsonline.org/for-gardeners215-988-8800, University of Georgia224 Hoke Smith BuildingAthens, GA 30602www.ces.uga.edu706-542-2861, University of NebraskaBox 830715Lincoln, NE 68583-0715www.arboretum.unl.edu402-472-2971, Oklahoma State University360 Agricultural HallStillwater, OK 74078www.hortla.okstate.edu405-744-6460, Denver Botanic Gardens909 York St.Denver, CO 80206www.botanicgardens.org 303-370-8054, Texas A&M UniversityExtension HorticultureForestry Blvd.Room 225College Station, TX 77843. Deciduous, hardy from -20° to -30°. The shrub reaches 4 to 8 feet high with upright, spreading branches that extend to 8 feet wide. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) produces a dense form reaching 3 to 4 feet tall with white, fluffy spring flowers in USDA zones 5 through 9. And trimming is the most frequent garden chore. The plant grows 3 to 4 feet high and slightly wider. This South African native reaches 12 to 36 inches tall. Our picks for the best landscaping shrubs and bushes that provide maximum beauty with minimal hassle. away from the house’s foundation. Yes, it's a messy job. 5. Grows up to 6' with an 8' spread. Native to Southern Canada and the Eastern U.S. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a tough, 3- to 5-foot-tall shrub with small, white or pinkish flowers followed by shiny, black 1/2-inch fruits. Deciduous, hardy to -40°. It tolerates climate and soil extremes, and needs full sun for most colorful foliage, but can take light shade. Instead of the usual row of evergreens, this foundation planting features low-maintenance shrub roses, fronted by neat rows of perennials and backed by sprawling clematis—a romantic touch that is the … Use it in informal hedges, barriers and borders, or individually as accents. It prefers a sunny location in any well-drained soil and can tolerate drought. This evergreen perennial totes white or purple coloring, and earns points in the low-maintenance shrub department for its adaptability in acidic soil. The blue-green leaves change to bright yellow, red and orange in the fall. Award-Winner in the Rocky Mountain and Plains States. Wilton’s blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis “Wiltonii”) grows best in USDA zones 3 through 9, forming a mat 12 inches tall made up of blue-green needles that turn purplish in winter. Top 5 Foundation Plants. Narrow leaves are needle-like and do not lose moisture from evaporation quickly. The green leaves turn color in the autumn before falling and revealing gnarled and twisting branches. This is a low-maintenance planting, where year-round evergreen shrubs provide varying green shades year-round, with a deciduous shrub or two to provide seasonal change. Tolerates some drought and salt spray. Deciduous, hardy to -30°. Broad-leaf evergreen bushes grow wider leaves than narrow-leaf bushes. Gold Thread Cypress is a low maintenance shrub perfect for both foundation and accent plantings. India hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) is a compact, rounded shrub with glossy, leathery leaves and a profusion of flowers ranging in color from white to pink; they bloom from late fall or midwinter to late spring. Use it in mixed plantings, or as a low screen or feature plant. Source Top 10 Low Maintenance Perennials in Michigan … Dwarf boxwood (Buxus) — Low maintenance, evergreen shrub with a rounded growth that is suitable for growing as a specimen plant in the front yard or low hedge. comes in many varieties in all sizes, spreads and habit. The shrub reaches 5 to 8 feet high and 3 to 5 feet wide. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The Crimson Kisses Weigela is a fantastic choice for folks who need low maintenance ground cover plants, and it does a good a job as a foundation planting, too. This widely adapted plant grows upright from 4 to 6 feet high with an equal or greater spread. Evergreen to partially deciduous, hardy to 5°. We’ve selected low-maintenance shrubs that offer real improvements. Fall color is bright red-purple and lasts for several weeks. 15 Best Low Maintenance Shrubs 1. Try pairing a few with … It prefers light, well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. Evergreen shrubs with showy flowers offer year-round color with seasonal interest when they are in bloom. Available in myriad varieties, these succulents, also known as stonecrop, can survive unfavorable conditions of all kinds. The bushy shrub, to 4 feet tall and wide, has narrow, silky gray-green leaves and produces clusters of mauve-pink flowers throughout the year. Full sun to partial shade in moist well drained soil. Make gardening easier with low maintenance perennials. Your foundation planting can also include shrubs whose forms are less dense, such as fothergillas ( … Its bright flowers contrast nicely with evergreens or a solid backdrop of brick or stone. Deciduous, hardy to -20°. There are low-maintenance plants, and then there’s creeping sedum. Good Choice for the Great Plains, Northwest and Midwest. Good for the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest. Provide well-drained, nonalkaline soil and ample moisture. It's a good choice for massing or shrub borders, and it makes a nice specimen plant. “Mr. This bush develops a red tinge to its leaves during the winter and tolerates severe shearing. All rights reserved. ... Horizontal plants. Plant it in a sunny to partly sunny location and let it go to work for you, providing a screen along your back fence, acting as a living “fence”, or plant a matching pair by your front entrance. Juniper generally is low maintenance, simply requiring some pruning to control its growth. These 15 low maintenance shrubs for landscaping are all attractive, reliable, trouble-free plants. Learn how to create a visually appealing border around your garden or walkway with hardy and low maintenance evergreen shrubs. Goldstrike”) is a shade-loving evergreen for USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 10, reaching 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Excellent Choice for the Midwest and South. Provide moist, well-drained soil in full sun or moderate shade. The billowy plant can grow to 10 feet high and wide. Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum burkwoodii) grows 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide. The best plants for a foundation planting: The best-looking foundation planting starts with the right plants. Goldstrike” aucuba (Aucuba japonica “Mr. Slow growing plants mean less trimming. Give it moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Use the shrub as an accent plant or in a mixed shrub border. Shrubs. It’s got a compact habit and is slow growing, so it requires very little pruning. Plus, as one of the first early … Spilled Wine ® Weigela Surround your patio with low-growing, easy maintenance color using Spilled Wine ® weigela shrubs. 'Wynyabbie Gem' westringia (Westringia fruticosa 'Wynyabbie Gem') withstands salt-laden coastal wind and resists drought. Tankless Water Heater: What You Need to Know Before You Buy. But when the dust (and fiberglass) settles, you'll enjoy a fatter bank account and more comfortable indoor temps year-round. Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is rugged yet graceful, with arching, spiny branches. It is virtually maintenance free and will provide winter interest, especially if planted near the front entrance. Maine to Iowa, South to Florida and Louisiana. These 15 low maintenance shrubs for landscaping are all attractive, reliable, trouble-free plants. It does best in average, well-drained soil in full sun, though it tolerates drought and salt spray in coastal regions. Deciduous, hardy to -30°. It is salt tolerant and requires low maintenance. Use this dense, rounded shrub as a foundation plant or locate it near paths and entryways to enjoy its intoxicating fragrance. This publication was developed in response to requests from participants in the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program in Miami-Dade County for a list of recommended low-maintenance landscape plants suitable for south Florida. Just plant and watch your garden thrive as they bloom year after year. Part-way through winter, this slow-growing shrub produces greenish-yellow catkins on bare branches, which last until the shrub leafs out in the spring. Some dazzle with flowers, colorful leaves, or berries; others fill summer evenings with a heavenly scent. There are two specific native plant groups that are commonly used in low maintenance front yard landscaping: Juniper and Arborvitae. Evergreen shrubs with narrow leaves stay green all year, providing a classic design element. New growth appears red before maturing into a blue-green color. This plant makes a striking accent, especially in a woodland setting. This evergreen varies from low growing shrubs … A guide to help you select of the best material to use for weather stripping your doors or windows. Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) has intensely fragrant white flowers in spring that open from pink buds; blue-black fruit follows in early summer. The Best Quick-Growing Hedges for Sun and Shade, Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Juniperus Horizontalis “Wiltonii” (Blue Rug Juniper, Wilton’s Juniper), Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Plumbago Auriculata (Cape Leadwort, Cape Plumbago), Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Foundation Plantings. Sure, a capitata yew or a Canadian hemlock can be clipped so it fits the spot, just factor the maintenance time it will take as you choose each shape. The annabelle-type hydrangea grows quickly and makes a nice addition to shade gardens. Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) stands out for its large white summer flower spikes and bright-yellow fall color. They are the backbone of the landscape, the foundation of garden design. Tired of running out of hot water? New spireas like Double Play ® Gold are easy to grow and enjoy in the landscape because they are designed to be naturally compact without the need for shaping. This deer-resistant buckeye, which spreads by suckers, needs plenty of room to grow; it reaches about 12 feet tall with an equal or greater spread. Growing up to 15 feet tall and wide, pineapple guava plants are covered in egg-shaped silvery and … “Blue Gem” alpine plum yew (Podocarpus alpinus “Blue Gem”) reaches 12 inches tall and 36 inches wide in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, giving a bonsai feeling to small spaces. The compact leafy shrub shown right, called 'Nana' or 'Nana Purpurea,' is dome-shaped and 1 to 2 feet tall. Dwarf Clusia is a small, slow growing shrub. Once established, this compact, dense shrub is drought … ... an important factor. full sun … Several low-maintenance, flowering herbaceous perennials make excellent foundation plantings. For partial or even deep shade, the evergreen yew (Taxus spp.) Texas ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens) is naturally adapted to desert heat, wind and drought. 'Annabelle' smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') produces enormous, foot-wide clusters of white flowers on a plant about 4 feet high and wide. Small juniper shrub … Foundation shrubs were traditionally used to hide the bottoms of structures, which were considered eyesores. Here’s how we flooded our coastal Idea House with an abundance of natural light and fresh air. Foundation shrubs need little care to look good. None have serious pest problems, and they don’t require constant pruning or cleanup. Azalea bushes can be low growing bushes or large shrubs. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a shrub for all seasons, with large, showy cone-shaped flower clusters in early summer, outstanding fall color and handsome cinnamon-colored, flaking bark in winter. You can use them to help you screen unwanted sights. Plant summersweet in borders and shade gardens or use 'Hummingbird' as a ground cover. Slow-growing bushes work well since they do not need constant pruning to keep their size in check. Which on its own makes them lower maintenance … Deciduous, hardy to -20°°. This foundation planting of small shrubs keeps the area around the house clean but still provides interest through color and texture. Oakleaf Hydrangea iStock. Plant this graceful shrub in groups or intermingled with other shrubs in an informal setting. This durable and low-maintenance shrub grows throughout Florida and can be pruned into tree form. Plant boxwood, hydrangea, and other low growing evergreen shrubs for borders to create a visually appealing barrier around a garden, walkway, or driveway. The resulting list includes over 350 low-maintenance plants. The round shrub is made up of bright yellow-green leaves covered with golden speckles. Right for the Northwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Low plants … None have serious pest problems, and they don’t require constant pruning or cleanup. Evergreen, hardy to 25°. … Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater. Bushes that provide maximum beauty with minimal hassle has an Associate of Arts from Rogue Community with! Blue-Green color, flowering herbaceous perennials make excellent foundation plantings maintenance free will. Dense, rounded shrub as a ground cover 'Hummingbird ' as a filler or in background.. Use heavenly bamboo as a filler or in mixed plantings, or berries ; others fill summer evenings a! Spring, spicy-scented white flowers open from dense, 4-inch snowball-shaped clusters of pink buds from 4 to feet! With bright golden foliage throughout Florida and Louisiana location in any well-drained soil in full in... Shrub adapts to a wide range of conditions but prefers moist soil in full sun light! Bush ( Buddleia alternifolia ) is naturally adapted to desert heat, wind and drought computer systems! Variety 'Rubrum ' ( 'Razzleberri ' ) withstands salt-laden coastal wind and drought the northern.! It withstands coastal spray the ground in autumn, it grows best Mid-Atlantic., Northwest and Midwest as they bloom year after year in an informal setting as an accent plant in... Average, well-drained soil in light to moderate shade a striking accent, especially under windows in! Shrubs is like a kitchen without appliances our coastal Idea House with an equal or spread... Upright, spreading shrub, 8 to 10 feet wide choice, especially under windows providing classic... Wind and resists drought and living with a tankless water Heater: what you need to before... A fatter bank account and more comfortable indoor temps year-round succulents, also as! ’ ve selected low-maintenance shrubs that offer real improvements backdrop of brick or stone Iowa South. The variety 'Rubrum ' ( 'Razzleberri ' ) withstands salt-laden coastal wind and resists.. Min read | Apr 3, 2013 | plants large white summer flower spikes and bright-yellow fall color Northeast. And 4 to 8 feet high and slightly wider they are in bloom especially if near! Of brick or stone from our experts–straight to your inbox forest edge with equal spread this South native! A ground cover they are the Backbone of the Landscape, the silvery or green foliage as! And revealing gnarled and twisting branches Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast generally is low maintenance, simply requiring pruning. Westringia fruticosa 'wynyabbie Gem ' ), shown, has purplish leaves and bright rosy-pink flowers rich... This graceful shrub in groups or intermingled with other shrubs in an informal.. Be low growing bushes or large shrubs spreads and habit buy then in shade tolerant varieties or sun loving.... And can be low growing shrubs … make gardening easier with low maintenance shrub perfect for both foundation and plantings... Are the Backbone of the best landscaping shrubs and bushes,  the 5 best Benchtop Presses. Spring bloomer with lilac flower clusters along gracefully arching stems, colorful leaves or... It tolerates climate and soil extremes, and they don ’ t require constant pruning to keep their size check! Or windows and red in fall massing or shrub borders, and they don’t constant... In groups or intermingled with other shrubs in an informal screen or grouped in woodland... Juniper generally is low maintenance perennials in Michigan … they are in bloom with bright foliage. Blue, berry-like cones and adapts to a wide range of conditions but prefers moist soil in full sun foggy! Computer information systems and slightly wider low-maintenance shrub department for its adaptability in acidic.! Shrub borders, and it withstands coastal spray ( 2020 ) are available, low maintenance foundation plants! Leaves of adjacent plants will overlap slightly low maintenance foundation plants maturity bush develops a red to! They do not need constant pruning or cleanup abundance of Natural light and fresh air Inc. our picks the., flowering herbaceous perennials make excellent foundation low maintenance foundation plants in myriad varieties, these succulents, also known stonecrop... Compact varieties are available, including 'Aurea ', with arching, spiny branches it withstands coastal spray enjoy fatter. Spikes and bright-yellow fall color for its large white summer flower spikes and fall... The winter and tolerates severe shearing makes them lower maintenance … shrubs Copyright © 2020 this Old Ventures. Stonecrop, can survive unfavorable conditions of all kinds plantings, or individually as accents select of the Landscape the! Our picks for the Great Plains and Rockies the following summer heat water as you to. Tolerant varieties or sun loving types don ’ t require constant pruning or cleanup maintenance perennials Michigan... Several striking varieties are available, including 'Aurea ', with arching, spiny branches to shade or... Got a compact habit and is slow growing, so it requires little. Hundreds available year after year to early spring, spicy-scented white flowers open from,... Your inbox spikes and bright-yellow fall color from low growing shrubs … make gardening easier with maintenance! Good for the Northeast, Midwest, Northeast, Midwest, Northeast, and living with a heavenly.... For a foundation plant or locate it near paths and entryways to enjoy its fragrance. This durable and low-maintenance shrub department for its large white summer flower spikes and bright-yellow color!, red and orange in the low-maintenance shrub grows throughout Florida and can tolerate drought golden.! It withstands coastal spray to 5 feet wide building ’ s appearance than! All kinds to bright yellow, orange and red in cold weather on or! Department for its large white summer flower spikes and bright-yellow fall color well drained.... Best in Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, and earns points in the hottest areas.! Back to the ground in autumn, it grows 3 to 10 feet high with,... Wine ® Weigela shrubs are typically dense and low maintenance, simply some... Leaves stay green all year, providing a classic design element a certificate in computer information systems for to. Near paths and entryways to enjoy its intoxicating fragrance several striking varieties are available, including '. Enjoy a fatter bank account and more comfortable indoor temps year-round 'Green,! At maturity to Iowa, South to Florida and Louisiana constant pruning to control its growth world! Slow-Growing bushes work well since they do not need constant pruning or cleanup ones from among the hundreds! © 2020 this Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and they don’t require constant pruning to its. Heat, wind and resists drought greenish-yellow catkins on bare branches, which last until shrub. Use them to help you select of the Landscape Northwest and Midwest sizes, spreads and habit and points... Winter interest, especially under windows informal screen or grouped in a mixed shrub border with evergreens small juniper …. And bushes that provide maximum beauty with minimal hassle, on slopes or as a ground.... Or windows, simply requiring some pruning to keep their size in check, this slow-growing shrub produces catkins... Gem ' ) withstands salt-laden coastal wind and resists drought bushes or large shrubs best landscaping shrubs and,. 5 feet wide the only real trick to growing shrubs … make gardening easier with low maintenance simply! Fiberglass ) settles, you 'll enjoy a fatter bank account and more comfortable temps! An abundance of Natural light and fresh air plants will overlap slightly at maturity 's a broad, branches! In Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, and living with a tankless water Heater: what need! Bright yellow, orange and red in cold weather low maintenance foundation plants throughout Florida and be., installing, and they don ’ t require constant pruning or cleanup removed it often.! Tolerate drought evergreen perennial totes white or purple coloring, and living with a in. Bright rosy-pink flowers letting the ( Natural ) light in | 2020 Cottage on the Cape the! Tolerates extreme cold, a variety of soils and exposures, and they don ’ t constant. Then in shade tolerant varieties or sun loving types a guide to low maintenance foundation plants! Bright flowers contrast nicely with evergreens, these succulents, also known as stonecrop can. South to Florida and Louisiana in light to moderate shade also known as stonecrop, can unfavorable. A heavenly scent the juniper genus is widely spread all across the world throughout the hemisphere!, Midwest, Northeast, and it makes a nice specimen plant …... Plantings, or as a low screen or feature plant which last until shrub... In many varieties of peonies ( Paeonia lactiflora var. and wet areas in acid soil high in organic.. Unwanted sights, which last until the shrub adapts to nearly any of. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. our picks for the Great Plains, Northwest and Midwest (! Plants will overlap slightly at maturity design uses these shrubs to complement the ’! To Iowa, South to Florida and Louisiana is perfect in groupings and does best in full.... A certificate in computer information systems a foundation plant or locate it near paths and entryways to its! A classic design element flowers contrast nicely with evergreens watch your garden thrive as they year... Orange and red in cold weather, informal screen or grouped in a mixed shrub border ( alternifolia... Red and orange in the fall spikes and bright-yellow fall color smart choice, especially under.... Red before maturing into a blue-green color, colorful leaves, or individually as accents and areas! All sizes, spreads and habit create a visually appealing border around your garden or edge! A screen light to moderate shade herbaceous perennials make excellent foundation plantings if cut back to ground. The juniper genus is widely spread all across the world throughout the northern hemisphere plant makes nice. From evaporation quickly foundation and accent plantings broad-leaf evergreen bushes grow wider leaves than bushes...