When deciding what to plant next to your house, consider plants that offer aesthetic appeal, manage moisture, and won’t cause structural damage. Low-maintenance shrubs, flowering perennials, and small trees are often excellent choices for enhancing curb appeal and complementing your home’s architecture.

What to Plant Next to a House: Enhancing Your Home’s Exterior

Choosing the right plants for the area directly surrounding your house is crucial for both beauty and practicality. The plants you select can significantly impact your home’s curb appeal, manage drainage, and even deter pests. It’s about creating a harmonious blend of nature and architecture, ensuring your landscaping complements your home without causing issues.

Why Plant Placement Matters Near Your Home

The foundation of your house is a sensitive area. Planting strategically can help protect your foundation by managing water runoff. Overly aggressive root systems from large trees can potentially damage underground pipes or the foundation itself over time.

Conversely, the right plants can guide water away from your foundation, reducing the risk of moisture-related problems. Consider the mature size of any plant. A small shrub today could become a large tree, posing future challenges.

Best Plants for Foundation Planting: Low-Maintenance & Beautiful

Foundation plantings are the plants placed in the beds directly against your home’s exterior walls. These are some of the best options for this vital area:

Shrubs: Versatile and Easy to Care For

Shrubs offer a fantastic balance of structure and color. They are generally low-maintenance and come in a vast array of sizes and textures.

• Dwarf Evergreens: Varieties like dwarf Alberta spruce or compact junipers provide year-round greenery and structure. They stay relatively small and have shallow root systems.
• Hydrangeas: Many varieties, such as the ‘Endless Summer’ or ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas, offer stunning blooms throughout the summer. They prefer some shade and well-drained soil.
• Boxwood: Classic and formal, boxwoods are perfect for creating neat hedges or adding evergreen structure. They tolerate pruning well, allowing you to maintain their size.
• Spirea: Known for their hardiness and attractive foliage, spireas offer delicate flowers in spring or summer. ‘Little Princess’ or ‘Goldflame’ are popular, compact choices.

Perennials: Adding Seasonal Color and Interest

Perennials return year after year, offering a dynamic display of color and texture. They are excellent for filling in spaces and attracting pollinators.

• Hostas: These shade-loving plants are prized for their diverse foliage, ranging from deep green to variegated patterns. They are incredibly easy to grow.
• Daylilies: Hardy and adaptable, daylilies bloom profusely in various colors. They tolerate a range of conditions and require minimal care.
• Coneflowers (Echinacea): These cheerful, daisy-like flowers attract butterflies and are drought-tolerant once established. They bloom from mid-summer to fall.
• Coral Bells (Heuchera): Grown primarily for their stunning foliage, coral bells come in shades of purple, amber, lime green, and more. They add vibrant color to shady spots.

Small Trees: For Architectural Interest Without Overgrowth

If you desire the elegance of a tree, opt for dwarf varieties or those with naturally contained growth habits. Avoid large trees with aggressive root systems near the foundation.

• Japanese Maple: Many varieties, like the ‘Crimson Queen’ or ‘Emperor I’, offer beautiful, delicate foliage and a manageable size. They prefer partial shade and protection from strong winds.
• Serviceberry: This multi-stemmed small tree provides beautiful spring flowers, edible berries, and stunning fall color. It’s a great native option in many regions.
• Dwarf Conifers: Similar to shrubs, dwarf conifers like dwarf pines or firs can add vertical interest without becoming too large.

What to Avoid Planting Next to Your House

Certain plants can cause more harm than good when placed too close to your home’s foundation. Understanding these risks is as important as knowing what to plant.

Plants with Aggressive Root Systems

Trees and shrubs with extensive, deep, or spreading root systems can infiltrate and damage foundations, sewer lines, and underground utilities.

• Large shade trees: Oak, maple (some varieties), and willow trees can develop root systems that extend far from the trunk.
• Certain shrubs: Some fast-growing shrubs with vigorous root spread should be planted further away.

Plants That Attract Pests or Cause Structural Issues

Some plants can attract unwanted pests or create maintenance headaches.

• Vines that cling: Ivy and Virginia creeper can damage siding and masonry by finding their way into small cracks. They can also harbor insects.
• Plants that retain moisture: Dense plantings directly against the foundation can keep the soil consistently wet, leading to moisture problems in basements or crawl spaces.

Plants That Grow Too Large

A plant that seems small and manageable when young can quickly outgrow its space, blocking windows, overwhelming walkways, or requiring constant, difficult pruning. Always research the mature size of any plant.

Designing Your Foundation Planting Plan

Creating an effective foundation planting involves more than just picking pretty plants. Consider these design principles:

1. Assess Your Site Conditions: Note the amount of sunlight (full sun, partial shade, full shade), soil type, and drainage in the planting area.
2. Consider Your Home’s Architecture: Choose plants that complement the style and scale of your house. Formal homes might suit boxwoods, while a cottage-style home could benefit from flowering perennials.
3. Plan for Mature Size: Always plant with the plant’s full-grown dimensions in mind. Leave adequate space between plants and between plants and the house. A general rule is to plant at least 2-3 feet away from the foundation for most shrubs.
4. Create Layers: Use a mix of heights and textures. Taller shrubs in the back, medium-sized ones in the middle, and low-growing perennials or groundcovers in the front create visual depth.
5. Think About Year-Round Interest: Incorporate evergreens for winter structure, spring-blooming shrubs, summer flowers, and fall-colored foliage.

People Also Ask

What is the safest distance to plant shrubs from a house?

For most shrubs, it’s advisable to plant them at least 2 to 3 feet away from your house’s foundation. This distance allows for proper air circulation, helps prevent moisture buildup against the walls, and gives the roots enough space to grow without immediately impacting the foundation. Always check the mature spread of the specific shrub you choose.

Can I plant a tree right next to my house?

It’s generally not recommended to plant large trees right next to your house due to their extensive root systems, which can damage foundations and underground utilities. If you want a tree, choose a dwarf variety or a species known for its contained root system, and plant it at a safe distance, typically at least