When we bought our first home, I was completely overwhelmed by the bare foundation that desperately needed some greenery.
After years of trial and error (and quite a few planting mishaps!), I’ve discovered the perfect plants that not only look gorgeous next to your house but actually help protect it too.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite foundation plants that have transformed our home’s curb appeal!
Why Plant Near Your House?
You might be wondering why we should bother planting anything near our homes at all. Well, let me tell you – it’s a total game-changer!
These amazing plants do so much more than just look pretty. They help keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter (hello, lower energy bills!).
Plus, their roots help prevent soil erosion around your foundation – something I learned the hard way after a particularly rainy season. And don’t even get me started on how they perfectly balance out your home’s architecture!
Top Foundation Plants for Your Home
1. Boxwood
Oh my goodness, if you’re looking for a tried-and-true foundation plant, boxwoods are your new best friend! These gorgeous evergreen shrubs have been gracing homes for generations, and I can totally see why.
I absolutely love how versatile they are – you can keep them tiny at just a foot tall, or let them grow up to six feet if you’re feeling ambitious. Mine frame my front door perfectly at about three feet tall.
They stay green all year round, which means no sad, bare spots in winter!
2. Inkberry
Let me introduce you to another family favorite – the inkberry! This holly relative is seriously amazing for foundation planting.
I adore how you can shape these beauties to fit practically any space. Just keep in mind they can reach up to 10 feet tall, so make sure you’ve got enough headroom if you’re planting under windows!
3. Mountain Laurel
If you’re looking for a show-stopper, mountain laurel is your girl! This hardy evergreen has the most gorgeous springtime flowers you’ve ever seen.
In my garden, they’re perfectly happy at about 8 feet tall, though I’ve heard they can reach 20 feet in the wild! Just remember to give them plenty of sun and regular water – they’re a bit like me first thing in the morning, they need their daily drink!
4. Betty Pryor Rose
Can we talk about how amazing Betty Pryor roses are? These beauties have been my secret weapon for adding color near the house.
Their bright pink blooms last for months, and the fragrance… oh my goodness! Best of all, their roots actually help stabilize the soil around your foundation – talk about a multitasking plant!
5. Holly
Who doesn’t love a classic? Holly bushes are like the little black dress of foundation plants – they never go out of style!
Those signature sharp-edged leaves and red berries create the perfect year-round interest. I planted mine along the side of the house, and they’ve been absolutely thriving for years.
6. Juniper
Junipers are literally the easiest plants I’ve ever grown – and trust me, I’ve killed my fair share of plants over the years!
These versatile beauties can range from itty-bitty one-footers to impressive 15-foot specimens. We keep ours at a manageable 8 feet, and they’re perfect as foundation plants.
7. Dogwood
Did you know dogwoods are actually native to North America? That’s right – these aren’t some fancy import!
I absolutely love how they burst into bloom every spring. We keep ours pruned as a shrub rather than letting it grow into a tree, and it’s become the star of our foundation planting.
8. Crape Myrtle
Let me tell you about my love affair with crape myrtles! These stunning trees put on the most incredible show all year long.
In spring, they’re covered in the most gorgeous blooms you’ve ever seen. And in winter? They transform into these amazing sculptural pieces with their spindly branches – total garden drama!
9. Cherry Laurel
If you’re looking for a super-versatile foundation plant, cherry laurel is your answer! I use mine as a hedge, but you can totally keep it as a bush too.
While they can grow up to 20 feet tall, don’t let that scare you! With regular trimming (think of it as a haircut), they stay perfectly sized for residential gardens.
10. Star Magnolia
Last but definitely not least, let me introduce you to the star magnolia – the plant that made me fall in love with foundation planting!
Those dreamy white flowers in late winter are like nature’s way of saying spring is just around the corner. We keep ours pruned small, and it’s absolutely perfect near our front entrance.