Cover image: Sprinter Boxwood®. Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

Need ideas? Get help choosing shrubs for the landscaping in front of your house.

When I design with bushes in the front of the house, I like to choose tidy, structured plants that lend a polished look for long periods of time.

The best bushes for the front of the house are either evergreen, long-blooming, or have interesting foliage. Some plants even have a combination of these traits!

A well-planned landscaping design not only boosts curb appeal but also makes maintenance easier.

Keep on scrolling for ideas, pictures, and details, and don’t miss the expert tips at the end for buying, growing, and designing with your front of the house landscaping bushes.

1. Sprinter® Boxwood

Botanical name: Buxus microphylla 'Bulthouse'

Type: Evergreen shrub

Zones: 5-9

Light requirements: Full sun-part shade

Size: 2-4 feet high and wide

Attributes: Evergreen; deer-resistant; salt-tolerant; resistant to boxwood blight; fast growing; requires no trimming or pruning to maintain its shape.

Landscaping ideas: Foundation planting, lining driveways or walkways, hedging, delineating property lines, in containers flanking an entryway.

compact globe shaped evergreen boxwood bushes with small green leaves in a landscaped yard — **Sprinter Boxwood®.** Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

2. Double Play Doozie® Spirea

Botanical name: Spiraea x 'NCSX2'

Type: Deciduous flowering shrub

Zones: 3-8

Light requirements: Full sun-part shade

Size: 2-3 feet high and wide

Attributes: Seedless and non-invasive; long season of bloom from early summer through frost; maintains a neat, mounded shape with no pruning required; no flower deadheading needed.

Landscaping ideas: Foundation planting, mass planting, island bed, border.

a mounded spirea bush with pink flowers and green leaves growing in a mulched edged bed next to lawn and trees — **Double Play Doozie® Spirea.** Image courtesy of Bailey Nurseries.

3. Anna’s Magic Ball® Arborvitae

Botanical name: Thuja occidentalis 'Anna Van Vloten'

Type: Evergreen shrub

Zones: 3-8

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 2-3 feet high and 3-4 feet wide

Attributes: Evergreen; maintains tight, rounded globe shape with no pruning required; native to North America; soft, bright yellow foliage; small size is easy to fit into urban gardens.

Landscaping ideas: Front of the border, lining low porches or low foundations, rock gardens, underneath low-set windows, or flanking shallow steps.

a lime green globe shaped thuja growing in a mulched garden bed — **Anna’s Magic Ball® Arborvitae.** Image courtesy of Bailey Nurseries.

4. Suntastic® Pink Abelia

Botanical name: Abelia x grandiflora nana ‘Pink’

Type: Semi-evergreen flowering shrub

Zones: 6-11

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 2-3 feet high and 4-5 feet wide

Attributes: Semi-evergreen; variegated foliage in shades of pink, white and cream; crimson stems; white flowers; long season of bloom from early summer through fall; butterfly favorite.

Landscaping ideas: Lining walkways and sidewalks, low-growing accent plant, mass plantings, filler for awkwardly shaped beds, containers.

a dwarf abelia bush with variegated leaves and pink flowers growing in a blue pot next to steps and other potted plants — **Suntastic® Pink Abelia.** Image courtesy of PlantHaven International, Inc.

5. Uptight Boxwood

Botanical name: Buxus microphylla ‘Robbuxupt’

Type: Evergreen shrub

Zones: 5-9

Light requirements: Full sun to part shade

Size: 4-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide

Attributes: Evergreen; maintains narrow, upright, columnar shape with no pruning required; stays green throughout the winter with no bronzing; deer-resistant.

Landscaping ideas: Vertical accent for corners of the house, framing an entryway or garden gate, tall hedging, screening of utility boxes, trash cans or unwanted views (if used for screening, take note - it’s slow growing).

columnar boxwood bush with small green leaves planted next to the steps and railing of a white house — **Uptight Boxwood.** Image courtesy of PlantHaven International, Inc.

6. Low Scape Mound® Aronia

Botanical name: Aronia melanocarpa 'UCONNAM165'

Type: Deciduous flowering shrub

Zones: 3-9

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 18-36 inches tall and wide

Attributes: Delicate white spring flowers; glossy green leaves; brilliant red fall color; dark purple fruits; spreading ground cover; salt and drought tolerant; North American native

Landscaping ideas: Sidewalk or walkway edging, ground cover for irregularly shaped beds, mass planting, lawn replacement, front of the border, underneath low-set windows.

a low growing aronia bush with brilliant red leaves — **Low Scape Mound® Aronia.** Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com

7. Dwarf Japanese Cedar

Botanical name: Cryptomeria japonica ‘Globosa Nana’

Type: Evergreen shrub

Zones: 5-8

Light requirements: Full sun to part shade

Size: 4-5 feet high and 5-6 feet wide

Attributes: Soft, bright green foliage; rounded, compact shape; tidy habit; tolerates clay soil; deer-resistant; drought-tolerant once established.

Landscaping ideas: Evergreen specimen, mass planting, part of a mixed foundation planting, containers flanking an entryway.

a small green globe shaped cryptomeria bush with soft foliage growing in a mulched bed — **Dwarf Japanese Cedar.**

8. Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea

Botanical name: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’

Type: Deciduous flowering shrub

Zones: 3-8

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 3-5 feet tall and wide

Attributes: Flowers all summer long; reliable bloomer; lime green blooms turn white and later pink; strong stems won’t droop; sun-loving; compact size and shape.

Landscaping ideas: Foundation planting, low deciduous hedge, border, filling in areas underneath front porches or decks, containers.

a small hydrangea bush covered with white panicle shaped flowers growing in a mulched garden bed — **Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea.** Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com

9. Daub’s Frosted Juniper

Botanical name: Juniperus x media 'Daub's Frosted'

Type: Evergreen shrub

Zones: 4-9

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 12-18 inches high and 4-5 feet wide

Attributes: Evergreen; dynamic multi-hued foliage in shades of blue, green, and yellow; rugged, spreading nature; low-maintenance; deer-resistant; salt-tolerant.

Landscaping ideas: Groundcover, front of the border, filler plant for areas next to hot sidewalks and driveways, erosion control or no-mow ground cover on banks and slopes.

a low growing juniper bush with lime green foliage — **Daub’s Frosted Juniper.** Image courtesy of Bailey Nurseries.

10. Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr. Butterfly Bush

Botanical name: Buddleia x ‘Blue Chip Jr.’

Type: Flowering shrub

Zones: 5-9

Light requirements: Full sun

Size: 18-30 inches high and 20-28 inches wide

Attributes: Sterile, non-invasive variety; small and compact size; long season of bloom all summer long; fragrant indigo purple flower spikes; butterfly magnet; drought-resistant once established; deer-resistant.

Landscaping ideas: Border garden, mass planting, edging along sidewalks and walkways, low deciduous hedge, specimen planting, containers, small front yards, next to hot driveways.

a low growing butterfly bush with purple spiky flowers growing in landscape with green bushes and grass — **Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr. Butterfly Bush.** Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

Tips for Buying Bushes for the Front of the House

Choosing the right bushes for the front of your home starts with smart shopping! Here’s how to make sure you get exactly what you need:

Always purchase using the botanical name – Common names can be confusing and vary based on where you live. The botanical name ensures you’re getting the exact plant you want.
Ask for help if needed – A garden center overflowing with plants can feel overwhelming! Staff can guide you to the right place and answer any questions you may have.
If you're new to gardening – Not sure if your space is right for a particular plant? Bring photos of your yard to the garden center, and seasoned staff members may be able to help you determine if these front of the house bushes are a good fit for you.
Shop in early to mid-spring for the best selection – Many of these varieties are popular and tend to sell out quickly. Because plant supply can be unpredictable, once they’re gone, garden centers may not restock until the following year, so shop early to avoid disappointment!

By following these tips, you’ll have a better chance of snagging the perfect bushes for the front of the house, before they disappear from the shelves!

Tips for Growing Bushes in the Front of the House

Set your bushes up for success with these essential growing tips:

Select the right zone. Make sure the bushes you choose are suitable for your USDA hardiness zone.
Match the light requirements to the lighting conditions in the front your house. Ensure that your bushes thrive by choosing a spot with the correct amount of sunlight or shade.
- Full sun plants thrive in 6+ hours of direct sunlight.
- Part shade plants need 3–6 hours of sunlight or filtered light.
Water newly planted bushes properly. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to help with the establishment of a strong root system. Read “How to Water Your Plants” for help in determining your watering strategy.
Monitor drought conditions. Visit the US Drought Monitor map to see if your area is currently experiencing a drought.

By following these tips, you’ll help your bushes thrive all season long!

Design Strategies for The Front of the House

Measure & Plan Ahead: Take measurements of garden beds and foundation areas before heading to the nursery. This ensures you buy the right number of plants for your space.
Mind the Spacing & Mature Size: Always consider a plant’s mature size before choosing its location. Planting too close to the house, the driveway, or a pathway can lead to problems over time. Plan ahead to avoid common issues like blocked windows, crowded entryways, and narrow, overgrown walkways.
Consider Color Harmony: Make sure your plant choices complement the existing colors of your home. For example, pink flowers or lime green foliage may clash with muted, orange-toned brick houses and walkways. I use a color wheel for my designs, but in a pinch, I compare plant photos on my phone against brick, siding, or door colors.
Incorporate Evergreen Structure: Evergreens provide year-round greenery and structure, keeping your front yard visually appealing, even in winter time.
Think About Traffic Flow: Be mindful of how you and others move around your property. Don't interfere with someone’s ability to exit a car comfortably, don’t block frequently used pathways, and don’t infringe on areas where trash cans are stored.
Don’t Forget Our Canine Friends: Do you have a sidewalk along the front of your property, and lots of neighborhood dogs? Beware - any shrubs planted too close to the sidewalk might become, well… the local potty stop. Repeated exposure to dog urine can cause unsightly yellowing leaves and may eventually kill your plants. Sad but true, I’ve seen it happen many times! If this sounds like a possible issue, your best bet is to plant further back from the sidewalk or skip planting in that area altogether.