When deciding what to put around the side of a house, consider landscaping elements that enhance curb appeal, manage water, and deter pests. Popular choices include mulch, gravel, decorative stones, and various types of plants, all chosen based on climate, maintenance preferences, and aesthetic goals.

Enhancing Your Home’s Exterior: What to Put Around the Side of a House

The area around the foundation of your house, often called the "foundation planting zone" or "perimeter planting," plays a crucial role in both the aesthetics and the health of your home. Choosing the right materials and plants can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal, prevent moisture issues, and even deter unwanted critters. Let’s explore some of the best options for what to put around the side of a house.

The Importance of Foundation Planting

Properly landscaping the area adjacent to your home’s foundation offers several key benefits. It helps direct rainwater away from the foundation, preventing water damage and costly repairs. It also creates a visual transition between your house and the rest of your yard, softening harsh lines and adding personality.

Furthermore, thoughtful planting can improve energy efficiency by providing shade in the summer and acting as a windbreak in the winter. It also offers an opportunity to discourage pests like rodents and insects from nesting near your home’s structure.

Popular Materials for Foundation Landscaping

When selecting materials for the area around your house, consider factors like drainage, maintenance, and visual appeal. Here are some top choices:

Mulch: A Versatile Foundation Favorite

Mulch is a popular and highly effective option. It helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like wood chips, bark, or shredded leaves decompose over time, enriching the soil.

• Benefits of Mulch:
  • Suppresses weed growth effectively.
  • Retains soil moisture, reducing watering needs.
  • Improves soil health as it decomposes.
  • Provides a clean, finished look.

Inorganic mulches, such as rubber mulch or gravel, offer a more permanent solution and don’t decompose. However, they don’t add nutrients to the soil.

Gravel and Decorative Stones: Low Maintenance Appeal

For a clean, modern look or in areas where drainage is a primary concern, gravel or decorative stones are excellent choices. They offer excellent drainage and require very little maintenance once installed.

• Types of Gravel/Stones:
  • Pea gravel: Small, rounded stones, good for pathways.
  • Crushed stone: Angular stones, provides good stability.
  • River rock: Smooth, naturally tumbled stones in various sizes.
  • Lava rock: Porous and lightweight, offers a unique texture.

When using gravel, it’s essential to install a landscape fabric underneath to prevent weeds from growing through. This also helps keep the gravel contained.

Pavers and Stepping Stones: Functional Elegance

If you need a pathway or a small patio area near the side of your house, pavers or stepping stones can add both functionality and elegance. They create defined walking paths and can be arranged in various patterns to complement your home’s architecture.

• Considerations for Pavers:
  • Ensure proper base preparation for stability.
  • Choose colors and styles that match your home.
  • Allow for expansion and contraction with temperature changes.

These can be interspersed with ground cover plants for a softer look.

Plants for Foundation Planting

Beyond hardscaping materials, plants are essential for bringing life and color to the side of your house. When choosing plants, consider your local climate, the amount of sunlight the area receives, and your desired level of maintenance.

Low-Maintenance Shrubs and Perennials

For a hands-off approach, opt for hardy, low-maintenance shrubs and perennials. These plants can provide year-round interest and don’t require constant attention.

• Evergreen Shrubs: Boxwood, dwarf conifers, and Japanese holly offer greenery throughout the year.
• Flowering Perennials: Hostas, daylilies, and ornamental grasses add seasonal color and texture.
• Groundcovers: Creeping thyme, sedum, and vinca minor can fill in spaces and suppress weeds.

Always ensure plants are spaced appropriately to allow for mature growth and good air circulation, which helps prevent disease.

Ornamental Grasses for Texture and Movement

Ornamental grasses are increasingly popular for foundation plantings due to their unique textures, movement, and adaptability. They can add a modern or naturalistic feel to your landscape.

• Popular Grasses:
  • Feather Reed Grass: Upright form, feathery plumes.
  • Little Bluestem: Native grass with attractive blue-green foliage that turns reddish in fall.
  • Moor Grass: Mounding habit, fine-textured foliage.

These grasses generally thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.

Native Plants for Sustainability

Consider incorporating native plants into your foundation landscaping. Native species are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, requiring less water and fertilizer. They also provide valuable habitat and food sources for local wildlife.

• Benefits of Native Plants:
  • Reduced water and maintenance needs.
  • Support for local pollinators and birds.
  • Resilience to local pests and diseases.
  • Authentic regional aesthetic.

Research local native plant societies or extension offices for recommendations specific to your area.

What to Avoid Around Your House’s Foundation

While many options enhance your home’s exterior, some things should be avoided or used with caution around the foundation:

• Over-reliance on mulch directly against siding: This can trap moisture and encourage rot or pest infestation. Maintain a gap between mulch and siding.
• Plants that attract pests: Avoid plants known to harbor rodents or insects, especially if they grow too close to the house.
• Poor drainage: Ensure any materials or plants you choose do not impede water drainage away from the foundation.
• Overgrown shrubs: Large shrubs that press against the house can hide moisture issues and create entry points for pests. Prune regularly.

Comparing Foundation Landscaping Options

Here’s a quick comparison of common materials used around the side of a house: