Alabama Easy Shrubs for Front of House

When you're planning landscaping for the front of the house, you might be looking for slow-growing shrubs or low maintenance shrubs. These are beneficial for several reasons including less pruning, not overcrowding the space, and keeping the front of your house neat while boosting curb appeal.

Some of the favorite low-maintenance shrubs include Boxwood, Dwarf Gardenia, Rosemary, and Rhododendron. You can add in a variety of sizes to add some extra curb appeal as well as flowering, evergreen, and deciduous shrubs for the front of your house.

The key is you don't want plants that grow out of control or need constant pruning. No one wants to spend every waking moment trimming invasive plants or cutting back trees. You also want to be mindful of the root systems and be sure you're using plants that won't disrupt your foundation or sidewalks.

And as always – check your planting zones to know what's best for your climate.

Things to Consider For Landscaping At the Front of Your House:

How much sunlight does the area get per day? Make a point to watch the sun one day at each section and see how many hours of direct sunlight it gets and whether it's in the morning or evening.

Some shrubs prefer morning sun, some will scorch (like Hydrangeas) if they get too much direct sun.

Root systems are extremely important when choosing any plants that will be near your house, driveway, sidewalks, and septic systems. No plant is worth the thousands of dollars of potential damage that some can cause. A prime example is the Willow Tree – this one doesn't get along well with foundations and septic systems.

Are you looking for privacy, low maintenance, color, blooms, scents, or a combination of all of these. A great option for privacy is the Loropetalum – it is fast-growing and can block views if you want it to. Blooms with amazing scents include Gardenias.

Low maintenance shrubs are perfect for boosting your curb appeal. It's the first impression of your house that people see. If you choose plants that need constant pruning or care, it's possible it will become a chore you might neglect.

Low Maintenance Shrubs that are Perfect for the Front of Your House

Boxwood

Boxwood shrubs are tough and dependable year-round shrub that is most known for its uniform green leaves. Boxwoods also offer small white flowers that bloom in the spring.

easy care and disease resistant
zones 5-9
partial to full sun needed
well-drained soil
1-12 ft tall and 1-5 ft across
slow growing-no more than 12 inches per year

Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are shrubs that have dramatic, multi-colored flowers that appear on top of irregular foliage. There are hundreds of species of rhododendrons that can be used as nice and sturdy backdrops for many types of flowers and foliage plants.

zones 4-10
partial sun needed
acidic and coarsely textured soil
2-12 ft tall and 2-8 ft across
blooms from spring to early summer
shallow rot systems
need to be planted 2-6 ft apart
evergreen

Rosemary

Rosemary is not only an herb, but it is an evergreen plant that adds interesting foliage to your shrubs in the front of the house. It's easy to grow and can take the heat as well.

full sun needed
loamy or sandy soil
blooms in summer
zones 7-11
1-8 ft tall and 2-4 ft across

Loropetalum

Loropetalum is a fast-growing evergreen shrubs that southern landscapers love to use. They have dark purple foliage most of the year but bloom with wispy pink flowers in the spring. Because they grow so fast, they make an excellent choice if it's the privacy you're looking for.

Zones 7-10
Fast-growing to mature heights of 5-15 feet tall
Can be grown close to structures like houses and driveways due to non-invasive root systems
Several varieties with purple foliage and magenta flowers
Evergreen
Drought and deer resistant

Juniper

Junipers are rugged and dependable shrubs that are easy to grow. There are different species of Junipers for every type of climate. They produce berries from fall into winter. Look for the low growing varieties such as Wilton or Nana for the front of a house.

zones 2-10
full sun to partial shade
evergreen
drought resistant
good idea for ground cover for the front of your landscaping as well as hillsides
well-drained soil
low growing Juniper grow from 6 inches to 2 feet high and can spread up to 8 feet

Lilac

Lilacs are taller, scented shrubs that have good cut flowers. Lilacs are best used when they are their own showy shrubs or as a background shrub.

zones 3-8
full sun needed
well-drained soil
5-20 ft tall and 6-12 ft across
attracts wildlife
easy to grow
blooms late spring to early summer, but not evergreen
plant around 15 ft apart

Camellia

zones 6-9
partial shade, particularly need a break from the afternoon sun
2-20 ft tall and 2-10 ft across
well-drained soil
bloom from mid-fall to early spring

Azalea

Azaleas are shrubs with vibrant colors to light up shady or dark spots. They produce many different bell or star-shaped flower colors ranging from white, pink, red, purple, lavender, and orange.

zones 4-8
partial to full sun
acidic, moist, well-drained soil
blooms from early spring to early fall
evergreen

Hosta

Hostas are perfect low lying plants for the front landscaping areas of your house. They come in a variety of striking green shades from chartreuse to dark green. You can layer in Hostas in front of taller plants for increased variety.

partial sun
zones 3-9
well-drained soil
1-3 ft tall and 1-8 ft across
blooms between May and September

Sunshine Ligustrum

Ligustrum is a stunning bright yellow/green shrub that is perfect as a foundation plant. Pair it with plants with darker foliage for a striking contrast.

zones 6-10
can grow 3-6 feet tall and around 3 feet wide so give it plenty of room when planting
full sun preferred
well-drained soil
evergreen with bright yellow-green foliage

Gardenia

One of my absolute favorite plants with a heavenly smell is a Gardenia. There are a few varieties you can choose from – some grow tall and some are dwarf versions that stay low to the ground. Either way, you'll have amazing scents when they bloom!

zones 8-11 – these prefer warmer climates
prefer morning sun and afternoon shade
dark green glossy foliage with white blooms – blooms in early summer
dwarf varieties grow around 2 feet tall, others around 8 feet
dwarf Gardenias are prolific bloomers
evergreen

Fire Power Nandina

Fire Power Nandina is a great choice for landscaping the front of your house. It is a low growing shrub and has beautiful red leaves in the fall and winter.

zones 6-9
grows slow and up to 2 feet tall and wide
green foliage gives way to bright red leaves in fall and winter
drought tolerant
can tolerate both full sun and full shade

Cryptomeria (Globosa Nana) or Dwarf Japanese Cedar

I've seen these called both ways, but either way you say it, it's an incredibly low maintenance shrub. It has bright green foliage and is evergreen.

evergreen
zones 5-9
full sun, but can tolerate shade
mature height between 4 and 6 feet and spreads between 4 and feet as well
beautiful almost droopy cedar foliage that adds interest to your yard
deer resistant
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.

Try pairing a few with different color foliage or blooms as well as choosing varying heights. For example, 2 Gardenias on the side of a walkway, Azaleas lining the front, and a bed of Ligustrum mixed with Firepower Nandina. That combo would be a striking look.

Make sure to give each plant plenty of room to grow when first planting. Pay attention to your spacing and planting guides and you should have a beautifully landscaped area for years to come.

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And if you need more planting ideas, check out these fast-growing privacy trees, plants that love shade and also fast-growing evergreen shrubs and trees.

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