favorite trees and shrubs for foundation plantings

Picking the right shrubs for your landscaping can be a daunting task. There are so many to choose from, right? I though today we could talk about trees and shrubs for foundation plantings. All too often while driving through neighborhoods I see landscaping that has been planted that is the wrong fit for the location. People want a finished look right out the gate So, they buy the least expensive large shrubs they can or ones they like without consideration for what they will become down the road. This is not only something that homeowners do during DIY projects but also something I will see other landscape company’s doing, it keeps their costs down and makes the home owner feel like they are getting a better deal. Bigger is better, right?

Some things to keep in mind while shopping for trees and shrubs for your landscape project are, the full-grown size of the tree or shrub, how fast it will grow, how aggressive is the root system, and the zone for the plant. The full-grown size and how fast it will grow go hand in hand with each other. Plants are usually categorized as fast, moderate, and slow growing. Fast growers can see more than two feet of growth in a years’ time. Moderate growth is one/two feet per year. And Slow growers are less than one foot per year. Growth rates are impacted by soil type and climate. Knowing the growth rate helps you figure out whether purchasing a larger size tree or shrub is needed for the space you are trying to fill or if you are willing to wait years for it to fill into the space. The root system of a plant is another thing you should consider if planting next to a foundation, as roots can cause damage to foundations.

Plants have three types of root systems: 1.) taproot, with a main taproot that is larger and grows faster than the branch roots; 2.) fibrous, with all roots about the same size; 3.) adventitious, roots that form on any plant part other than the roots. You will want to find plantings with fibrous root systems for along the home. Trees should be planted so the full-grown canopy is about one to two feet from the home. Example: if the tree is going to have a 15’ spread you should plant it 8.5 feet or more off the foundation of the home.

Now that we have talked about what to look for in shrubs if choosing your own, or if you are working with a landscaper and want to check or know what to ask, we can get to the fun part. What are my favorite foundation plantings? Here is a list of my Top 10 favorite foundation trees and shrubs.

10) Taunton Spreading Yew Taxus x media 'Tauntoni'

• Height: 3-4' Spread: 4-6' Shape: Foliage: Dark green Growth Rate: moderately/fast Exposure: Part Sun Zone: 4-7

This spreading evergreen has short dark needles and is very hardy. Taunton has excellent resistance to wind burn. Grows well in both sun or shade and is very popular as an accent, specimen or foundation plant. Yews get a bad rap in the landscape industry, and I here all the time that people don’t like them. The main reason for the lack of yew respect in the landscape is not due to the plant but due to the care of the plant. improper pruning can turn a good yew bad fast. I will leave it at that for now as I plant to visit pruning in another post.

This spreading evergreen has short dark needles and is very hardy. Taunton has excellent resistance to wind burn. Grows well in both sun or shade and is very popular as an accent, specimen or foundation plant. Yews get a bad rap in the landscape industry, and I here all the time that people don’t like them. The main reason for the lack of yew respect in the landscape is not due to the plant but due to the care of the plant. improper pruning can turn a good yew bad fast. I will leave it at that for now as I plant to visit pruning in another post.

9) First Editions® Tickled Pink® Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata 'HYPMAD II' PP18,500

• Height: 4-6' Spread: 5-6' Shape: Broad mound Foliage: Dark green Fall Foliage: Insignificant Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade Zone: 3-8

You'll be tickled pink by the extraordinary flowers on this hydrangea. Each bloom is completely covered by flower petals and each petal recurves giving the blossoms a full, frilly, lacy appearance. The blooms begin white before turning rosy pink. The habit is upright and compact with a height of just 4-6' so it is a good fit for small spaces. Bred by Dr. Michael Dirr at the University of Georgia.

8) Red Emperor Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor'

• Height: 15-18' Spread: 12-15' Shape: Upright vase Foliage: Dark red Fall Foliage: Scarlet Exposure: Part Sun Zone: 5-9

'Red Emperor' sets a new standard for red-leaf Japanese maples. The new growth is deep purple-red and it holds that color exceptionally well throughout the summer. Fall foliage turns a rich crimson. It leaf’s out about two weeks later than other Japanese maples giving it the benefit of less spring frost damage. Graceful form and brilliant color, works well as a focal point in any landscape.

7) Wintergreen Littleleaf Boxwood Buxus microphylla 'Wintergreen'

• Height: 2' Spread: 2-3' Shape: Upright, spreading Foliage: Delicate, bright green Fall Foliage: Coppery to bronze Exposure: Full Sun Zone: 4-9

This attractive broadleaf evergreen has delicate bright green foliage which changes to copper green in winter. Responds well to shearing and is an excellent plant for a low hedge. One of the hardiest boxwoods. Boxwoods are a staple in foundation plantings and had to be on the list. I choose this variety for the winter hardiness and manageable size. 

This attractive broadleaf evergreen has delicate bright green foliage which changes to copper green in winter. Responds well to shearing and is an excellent plant for a low hedge. One of the hardiest boxwoods. Boxwoods are a staple in foundation plantings and had to be on the list. I choose this variety for the winter hardiness and manageable size.

6) Dwarf Burning Bush Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'

• Height: 5-6' Spread: 5-8' Shape: Rounded Foliage: Green Fall Foliage: Brilliant scarlet Exposure: Full Sun Zone: 4-8

This Dwarf form of E. alatus is Bushy and compact, it is a corky barked plant. Excellent for hedges. Dwarf burning bush has brilliant fall color, which earned it its spot on this list. We have found that this shrub does well in zone 4 in protected sites.

5) First Editions® Electric Lights™ Red Azalea Rhododendron 'UMNAZ 502' PP26,601

• Height: 4-5' Spread: 3-4' Shape: Upright, rounded Foliage: Medium green Fall Foliage: Insignificant Exposure: Part Sun Zone: 4-7

Move over PJM there’s a new kid in town. This has a true fire engine red flower on a hardy azalea for northern gardens. Electric Lights Red is a fiery red in early spring, blooming just after the fresh new foliage emerges. Forms an upright mound in the landscape and will tolerate both full sun and part shade. Flower buds are hardy to -30*F. Introduced by Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

4) Andorra Compact Juniper Juniperus horizontalis 'Compacta'

• Height: 18" Spread: 3-5' Shape: compact low Foliage: Light green Fall Foliage: Exposure: Full Sun Zone: 3-8

This is a compact form of the Andorra juniper with light green foliage in summer, that turns a plum color in fall and winter. Excellent, low growing evergreen. I like this because its low growing and compact and also give you a little more variation in evergreen with the color change.

3) Morning Princess Crabapple Malus 'Morning Princess' PP12,449

• Height: 8-12' Spread: 8' Shape: Upright descending Foliage: Burgundy with green shading Fall Foliage: Purple Exposure: Full Sun Zone: 2-7

This is a unique and graceful crabapple, ideally suited to the smaller urban garden. 'Morning Princess' has an upright habit with descending side branches. The foliage is burgundy with some green shading adding a color accent to the landscape all season. Attractive pinkish-red blossoms in spring are later replaced with persistent, purple ornamental fruits. Discovered at Lakeshore Tree Farm of Saskatoon, Canada and introduced by Bailey Nurseries, Inc. (CPBR 0665)

2) Arctic Fire™ Dogwood Cornus stolonifera 'Farrow' PP18,523

• Height: 3-4' Spread: 3-4' Shape: Upright Foliage: Dark green Fall Foliage: Insignificant Exposure: Full Sun Zone: 3-7

Excellent dwarf selection for smaller gardens this compact selection of the ever-popular 'baileyi' red stem dogwood. Dark red winter stems, a non-suckering habit and compact form make this a beautiful addition to any garden. Mass in areas where the red stems in winter can be enjoyed. Effective in shrub borders where plants can be combined with evergreens for interesting winter contrast. Developed by Mike Farrow of Holly Hill Nursery.

1) Little Henry® Dwarf Sweetspire Itea virginica 'Sprich' PP10,988

• Height: 18-24" Spread: 3' Shape: Low, mounded Foliage: Green Fall Foliage: Brilliant red Exposure: Full Sun to Full Shade Zone: 5-9

The versatility and year-round interest gave this plant the top spot on my list. Little Henry blooms in spring with sweetly scented, pure white flowers that cover the plant. It has a low, compact stature, and is great for beds, borders and mass plantings. The excellent red fall color is amazing and it achieves all this without a care of how much sunlight is has. (C®)

I would like to thank Bailey’s Nursery for plant descriptions!