The 13 Best Shrubs for the Front of the House

13 Best Shrubs Best Shrubs for the Front of the House for the Front of the House

1. Boxwood 1. Boxwood Because of its short stature, Franklin's Gem Boxwood can be planted in front of taller shrubs or along walkways for year-round greenery that won’t overtake the sidewalk. Because of its short stature, Franklin's Gem Boxwood can be planted in front of taller shrubs or along walkways for year-round greenery that won’t overtake the sidewalk. Best for: a manicured, neat appearance in partial or full sun Best for: a manicured, neat appearance in partial or full sun *BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

2. Azalea 2. Azalea Azaleas feature dense, dark foliage crowned in the spring by vibrant blooms. They typically add a natural, informal style to landscapes. Azaleas feature dense, dark foliage crowned in the spring by vibrant blooms. They typically add a natural, informal style to landscapes. Best for: adding bursts of spring color Best for: adding bursts of spring color

3. Rhododendron 3. Rhododendron Because rhododendrons are evergreen and have larger leaves, these shrubs are sometimes used in privacy hedges. They produce flower clusters in white, pink, purple, red, or orange in spring. Because rhododendrons are evergreen and have larger leaves, these shrubs are sometimes used in privacy hedges. They produce flower clusters in white, pink, purple, red, or orange in spring. Best for: specimen or screening plants Best for: specimen or screening plants

4. Hydrangea 4. Hydrangea For showy, long-lasting blooms in white, pink, blue, or purple ( depending on your soil’s pH ) from summer through fall, the hydrangea can’t be beat. Most are deciduous, with lush green foliage. For showy, long-lasting blooms in white, pink, blue, or purple ( depending on your soil’s pH ) from summer through fall, the hydrangea can’t be beat. Most are deciduous, with lush green foliage. Best for: informal landscapes or cottage gardens Best for: informal landscapes or cottage gardens

5. Rose 5. Rose Knock Out Roses are known to be particularly easy to grow. Pruning roses can be tricky due to their thorns, and some varieties are susceptible to disease. Knock Out Roses are known to be particularly easy to grow. Pruning roses can be tricky due to their thorns, and some varieties are susceptible to disease. Best for: pairing with foliage plants Best for: pairing with foliage plants

6. Juniper 6. Juniper Spreading up to 4 feet, junipers are perfect for foundation planting. While many types grow slowly, they can reach up to 6 feet tall. Spreading up to 4 feet, junipers are perfect for foundation planting. While many types grow slowly, they can reach up to 6 feet tall. Best for: low-effort winter color Best for: low-effort winter color

7. Yew 7. Yew A soft-needled, slow-growing evergreen conifer, the yew is usually counted among low-maintenance shrubs for shaded areas , although it can also handle full sun. Red berries punctuate its green foliage. All parts of the yew plant are toxic. A soft-needled, slow-growing evergreen conifer, the yew is usually counted among low-maintenance shrubs for shaded areas , although it can also handle full sun. Red berries punctuate its green foliage. All parts of the yew plant are toxic. Best for: any space that calls for an attractive evergreen Best for: any space that calls for an attractive evergreen

8. Euonymus 8. Euonymus These fast-growing shrubs can be left to grow freely in zones 5 to 9, easily topping 6 feet, or they can be manicured to shape or to form a hedge. These fast-growing shrubs can be left to grow freely in zones 5 to 9, easily topping 6 feet, or they can be manicured to shape or to form a hedge. Best for: accentuating the yard with beautiful foliage or forming a compact hedge Best for: accentuating the yard with beautiful foliage or forming a compact hedge

9. Holly 9. Holly This holiday favorite is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with dark-green, glossy, notched leaves and bright red winter berries that attract birds. This holiday favorite is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with dark-green, glossy, notched leaves and bright red winter berries that attract birds. Best for: producing pretty berries in winter and small flowers in spring Best for: producing pretty berries in winter and small flowers in spring

10. Weigela 10. Weigela The sun-loving Weigela can grow up to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide and can be pruned, but flowers bloom on the previous year’s branches. The sun-loving Weigela can grow up to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide and can be pruned, but flowers bloom on the previous year’s branches. Best for: spots with full sun, moist to well-draining soil, and plenty of room to spread Best for: spots with full sun, moist to well-draining soil, and plenty of room to spread

11. Forsythia 11. Forsythia The bold yellow flowers of the forsythia herald the coming of springtime in many areas. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide, although its arching branches can be pruned to shape, making it an excellent choice for hedges. The bold yellow flowers of the forsythia herald the coming of springtime in many areas. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide, although its arching branches can be pruned to shape, making it an excellent choice for hedges. Best for: locations with ample space to spread Best for: locations with ample space to spread

12. Spirea 12. Spirea This fast grower can be used as a specimen plant or featured in groupings as a hedge or border. Bridal Wreath Spirea produces tiny bouquets of white flowers on arching branches in the spring This fast grower can be used as a specimen plant or featured in groupings as a hedge or border. Bridal Wreath Spirea produces tiny bouquets of white flowers on arching branches in the spring Best for: masses of cascading flowers in spring or summer (depending on the cultivar) Best for: masses of cascading flowers in spring or summer (depending on the cultivar)

13. Viburnum 13. Viburnum A fast-growing native shrub that produces large “balls” of white flowers is the Viburnum . Across over 150 species, foliage ranges from glossy green to dull dark green, but it turns scarlet or purple in the fall. A fast-growing native shrub that produces large “balls” of white flowers is the Viburnum . Across over 150 species, foliage ranges from glossy green to dull dark green, but it turns scarlet or purple in the fall. Best for: large, fragrant, showy blooms Best for: large, fragrant, showy blooms

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