Adding low-growing shrubs to the front of your house enhances curb appeal, provides structure, and requires minimal maintenance. Whether you want year-round greenery, colorful flowers, or unique foliage, there’s a perfect shrub for your landscape. Here’s a list of the best low-growing shrubs to plant in front of your home.
Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Interest
If you’re looking for shrubs that stay lush and green all year, evergreen varieties are an excellent choice. They provide a solid foundation for your landscaping and maintain their beauty through every season.
1. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
- Compact, slow-growing, and easy to shape.
- Ideal for edging, borders, or small hedges.
- Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
2. Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’)
- Glossy, dark green leaves with bell-shaped spring flowers.
- Low-maintenance and deer-resistant.
- Prefers partial shade and acidic soil.
3. Dwarf Yew (Taxus x media ‘Densiformis’)
- Dense, soft-needled evergreen that tolerates pruning.
- Grows well in sun or shade.
- Resistant to drought and urban pollution.
4. Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana’)
- Feathery, deep green foliage with a unique texture.
- Grows in a compact, rounded shape.
- Thrives in well-draining soil and full sun.
5. Blue Star Juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’)
- Low, spreading shrub with striking blue-green foliage.
- Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
- Perfect for rock gardens and borders.
6. Dwarf Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo ‘Mops’)
- Slow-growing with a rounded, bushy shape.
- Thrives in poor soils and dry conditions.
- Requires minimal pruning.
7. Winter Gem Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica)
- Hardy, compact shrub with bright green leaves.
- Tolerates cold winters and heat.
- Works well for small hedges or accent plants.
Flowering Shrubs for Seasonal Color
If you want to add bursts of color throughout the year, flowering shrubs are an excellent addition to your front yard.
8. Dwarf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mini Penny’)
- Produces large pink or blue blooms.
- Perfect for small garden spaces.
- Thrives in partial shade with moist soil.
9. The Fairy Rose (Rosa ‘The Fairy’)
- Small, continuous-blooming pink flowers.
- Hardy and disease-resistant.
- Works well as a groundcover or border plant.
10. Dwarf Spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’)
- Compact shrub with pink flowers in summer.
- Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
- Easy to prune and maintain.
11. Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa ‘Goldfinger’)
- Bright yellow flowers that bloom for months.
- Extremely drought-tolerant.
- Thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.
12. Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Crimson’)
- Gorgeous red or pink spring flowers.
- Loves acidic soil and partial shade.
- Great for foundation plantings.
13. Dwarf Weigela (Weigela florida ‘My Monet’)
- Compact with pink flowers and variegated leaves.
- Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators.
- Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
14. Daphne (Daphne x burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie’)
- Fragrant, light pink flowers with variegated leaves.
- Grows in a rounded shape with dense foliage.
- Does best in partial shade with moist soil.
Colorful Foliage Shrubs for Contrast
If you want more than just flowers, consider shrubs with striking foliage that add texture and interest throughout the year.
15. Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’)
- Bright red foliage in fall and winter.
- Low-maintenance and heat-tolerant.
- Adds year-round color to your landscape.
16. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
- Grown for its vibrant foliage in shades of red, purple, and green.
- Thrives in partial shade.
- Pairs well with other shrubs and perennials.
17. Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’)
- Deep red foliage that provides contrast.
- Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
- Works well as a border plant.
18. Golden Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureomarginatus’)
- Green and yellow variegated foliage.
- Resistant to pests and diseases.
- Adds brightness to shady areas.
19. Dwarf Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense ‘Purple Pixie’)
- Burgundy foliage with pink, fringe-like flowers.
- Evergreen in warm climates.
- Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right low-growing shrubs for the front of your house can enhance your home’s curb appeal while keeping maintenance to a minimum. Whether you prefer evergreen varieties for year-round structure, flowering shrubs for seasonal color, or vibrant foliage for contrast, these shrubs will bring beauty and charm to your landscaping.
