Best Foundation Plants for the Front of Your House: 2025 Landscaping Guide
A well-designed foundation planting enhances your home’s curb appeal while softening the transition between your house and yard.
The right plants can frame your entryway beautifully, hide foundation flaws, and even improve energy efficiency.
Here are the top foundation plant choices for every style and climate.
What Makes a Good Foundation Plant?
✔ Compact growth habit (won’t outgrow space)
✔ Year-round interest (evergreens or multi-season plants)
✔ Low maintenance (disease-resistant, minimal pruning)
✔ Climate-appropriate (matches your USDA zone)
Top 10 Foundation Plants for Curb Appeal
1. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
- Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Height: 2-4 ft
- Best for: Formal hedges, symmetrical designs
- Zones: 5-9
- Why we love it: Classic, deer-resistant, responds well to shaping
Pro Tip: ‘Green Velvet’ and ‘Winter Gem’ varieties stay compact.
2. Dwarf Alberta Spruce
- Type: Coniferous evergreen
- Height: 6-8 ft
- Best for: Vertical accents
- Zones: 2-8
- Why we love it: Naturally pyramidal shape, no pruning needed
3. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)
- Type: Deciduous flowering shrub
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Best for: Cottage-style homes
- Zones: 5-9
- Why we love it: Massive blooms from summer to fall
Variety Pick: ‘Endless Summer’ reblooms all season.
4. Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)
- Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Best for: Boxwood alternative
- Zones: 5-8
- Why we love it: Glossy leaves, black berries in winter
5. Dwarf Yaupon Holly
- Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Best for: Low hedges
- Zones: 7-10
- Why we love it: Drought-tolerant, red berries attract birds
6. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.)
- Type: Flowering evergreen/deciduous
- Height: 2-6 ft
- Best for: Acidic soil areas
- Zones: 6-9
- Why we love it: Spectacular spring blooms
7. Juniper ‘Blue Star’
- Type: Coniferous evergreen
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Best for: Modern landscapes
- Zones: 4-8
- Why we love it: Silvery-blue foliage, ultra low-maintenance
8. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
- Type: Perennial
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Best for: Colorful edging
- Zones: 4-9
- Why we love it: Vibrant foliage (purple, lime, burgundy)
9. Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum)
- Type: Ornamental grass
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Best for: Texture contrast
- Zones: 5-9
- Why we love it: Plume-like flowers, deer-resistant
10. Otto Luyken Laurel
- Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Best for: Shady areas
- Zones: 6-8
- Why we love it: Glossy leaves, white spring flowers
Foundation Planting Design Tips
The Rule of Three
Layer plants in three rows:
- Tallest plants (6-8 ft) near corners
- Mid-height shrubs (3-5 ft) along walls
- Low growers (1-2 ft) near walkways
Color & Texture Mix
- Combine broadleaf evergreens (boxwood) with needled evergreens (juniper)
- Add perennials for seasonal color (lavender, salvia)
- Include textural contrast (ornamental grasses)
Proper Spacing
| Mature Width | Distance From House |
|---|---|
| 3 ft | 2-3 ft |
| 5 ft | 3-4 ft |
| 8 ft | 5-6 ft |
Prevents moisture damage and allows air circulation
FAQs About Foundation Plants
1. What are the lowest-maintenance foundation plants?
- Boxwood
- Juniper
- Dwarf Alberta spruce
- Sedum (for ground cover)
2. How close to the house can you plant shrubs?
Generally, 3+ feet to prevent:
- Root damage to the foundation
- Moisture retention against siding
- Pest pathways into the home
3. What plants should you avoid near foundations?
❌ Fast-growing trees (willow, silver maple)
❌ Invasive species (bamboo, English ivy)
❌ High-water plants (may affect foundation)
4. Best flowering foundation plants?
- Azaleas
- Hydrangeas
- Knock Out roses
- Lilacs (dwarf varieties)
5. What foundation plants stay green all year?
- Boxwood
- Holly
- Juniper
- Yew
- Arborvitae
Regional Recommendations
Hot Climates (Zones 9-11)
- Indian hawthorn
- Dwarf bottlebrush
- Mexican bush sage
Cold Climates (Zones 3-5)
- Dwarf Korean lilac
- Arctic willow
- Bearberry cotoneaster
Wet Areas
- Inkberry holly
- Sweetspire
- Winterberry
Pro Tip: Drive around your neighborhood for inspiration before planting!
