Bushes For the Front of Your House: Top Choices to Boost Curb Appeal

Bushes do more than just look pretty—they also provide shelter for birds, seasonal color, and year-round interest. If you want to add beauty and life to the front of your home, here are the best bushes to try.

Bushes For The Front Of Your House

Adding bushes to the front of your house can boost curb appeal, provide privacy, and soften architectural lines. Each type offers distinct qualities, from evergreen structure to seasonal blooms and varied foliage shapes.

Boxwood

Boxwood stands out for its compact shape and evergreen leaves. You can trim it into tidy, formal hedges or let it grow naturally for a softer appearance.

This shrub handles sun or partial shade. It requires well-draining soil and moderate watering. Boxwood’s dense foliage offers year-round color, even in winter.

Many homeowners use it as a border along walkways or around foundations. It rarely outgrows its spot when pruned once a year. Boxwood resists deer and urban pollution, making it durable for city landscapes.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea bushes draw attention with their large, round flower clusters. You see blooms in shades of blue, pink, or white depending on soil pH.

They thrive best in areas with morning sun and afternoon shade. Hydrangeas need moisture-retentive soil to flourish. Their flowers persist from early summer to fall, providing long-lasting color.

They fit well in front of walls or beneath windows. Pruning after flowering keeps them neat and encourages new growth. Avoid letting the soil dry out, as the blooms will wilt quickly.

Azalea

Azaleas deliver vibrant color in spring, lighting up the front of your house. Their smaller size suits narrow beds or under low windows.

You can find azaleas with evergreen or deciduous leaves. They need acidic, well-drained soil and morning sun with afternoon shade. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Azaleas don’t tolerate heavy winds or salt spray. Their shallow roots require mulch to keep soil cool. Avoid deep planting, as this can cause stress.

Spirea

Spirea offers delicate, arching branches covered with small blossoms. Flower color varies from white to pink or red, depending on the cultivar.

This reliable shrub tolerates full sun or light shade. You need to water it during dry spells for top performance. It fits well along walkways or mixed with other groupings.

Spirea benefits from pruning after flowering. Cutting back promotes new shoots and repeat blooms. It’s resistant to deer and rarely plagued by pests.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Dwarf Alberta Spruce brings a formal, conical shape to small spaces at the front of your house. It has soft, bright green needles throughout the year.

Place it in full sun to partial shade for best results. The bush grows slowly, reaching about 6-8 feet after years but staying narrow. It handles cold climates well but struggles in hot, dry locations.

Alberta Spruce adds structure in pairs at entryways. Minimal shearing is needed to maintain its tidy outline.

Japanese Holly

Japanese Holly resembles boxwood but features smaller, rounded leaves. The plant’s dense habit creates a neat, low hedge or foundation accent.

It needs well-drained, acidic soil and does best in full sun or part shade. Japanese Holly tolerates shearing well for formal landscapes. It can reach heights of 3-6 feet depending on variety.

Berries appear in the fall and can add visual interest. This shrub adapts well to most conditions and resists deer and many pests.

Rhododendron

Rhododendrons add large, showy blooms in late spring to early summer. Their shiny, evergreen leaves provide structure year-round.

They need acidic, organic-rich soil and filtered sunlight. Rhododendrons can grow large, so allow space away from buildings. Moist, well-drained soil keeps them at their best.

Prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant. Avoid deep planting and keep the roots cool with mulch.

Barberry

Barberry shrubs display sharp, thorny branches and vivid foliage colors. Red, gold, and purple-leafed varieties create striking contrast.

This bush tolerates drought, urban conditions, and poor soils. It thrives in full sun and can handle some shade. Barberry’s tough nature deters deer and makes a good barrier plant.

Small berries appear in fall, providing food for birds. Prune to maintain the desired shape and remove older stems for vigor.

Abelia

Abelia provides clusters of small, fragrant flowers from late spring to fall. The arching branches hold glossy, semi-evergreen leaves.

Grow abelia in full sun for best flowering, though it tolerates light shade. It prefers well-drained soil but adapts to a range of conditions. Light pruning after the first bloom encourages more flowers.

Abelias attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This shrub’s flexible size works well near pathways or foundations.

Camellia

Camellias feature shiny evergreen leaves and spectacular blooms in late fall, winter, or early spring. Flowers range from white to pink and red.

They require acidic soil rich in organic matter and partial shade. Camellias are sensitive to hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves. Strong winds can damage flowers, so plant them in protected spots.

Water consistently and mulch to keep roots cool. Prune after flowering to shape the shrub.

Loropetalum

Loropetalum catches the eye with deep burgundy leaves and fringe-like flowers in spring. Flower colors range from white to vibrant pinks.

This shrub prefers mildly acidic, well-drained soil and full sun to part shade. Pruning after flowering helps maintain its shape and encourages new blooms. Loropetalum grows quickly and can be trimmed as a hedge or left natural.

It tolerates heat and drought once established and resists deer.

Gardenia

Gardenias stand out for their strong fragrance and waxy, white blooms. Glossy evergreen leaves add interest even when flowers fade.

Plant gardenia in well-drained, acidic soil with morning sun and afternoon shade. This shrub dislikes cold, so choose a sheltered location. Consistent moisture and humidity help prevent bud drop.

Prune lightly after the main bloom. Gardenias make ideal front yard accents near entryways.

Inkberry (Ilex glabra)

Inkberry’s dark green, evergreen foliage creates a clean hedge for the front of your house. The dense, rounded form stays tidy with minimal pruning.

Plant inkberry in moist, slightly acidic soil and sun to part shade. Berries appear on female plants in fall but require a male nearby for pollination.

Inkberry tolerates wet conditions better than many shrubs. Its resilience makes it a good fit for foundation plantings.

Viburnum

Viburnum grows well in shade or sun, offering clusters of white or pink flowers in spring. Many types provide berries and colorful fall foliage.

This adaptable shrub suits a variety of soils and climates. Some varieties are compact while others get quite large. Viburnum’s broad, rounded form blends houses into the landscape.

Prune after flowering to shape it or control its size. Most types are hardy and require little care once established.

Weigela

Weigela features trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, red, or white. Blooming starts in late spring and often repeats in early summer.

This shrub does best in full sun and well-drained soil. Its arching branches make a great accent near walkways or below windows. Prune immediately after blooming to shape and encourage rebloom.

Weigela attracts hummingbirds and tolerates urban conditions.

Yew (Taxus)

Yew offers dense, dark green needles and a formal appearance. It remains evergreen and responds well to pruning for hedges or topiary shapes.

It grows in sun or shade and tolerates most soils except for constantly wet ones. Yew is slow-growing but lives for decades. Red berries form on female plants in fall but can be toxic if eaten.

Yew requires little maintenance aside from occasional shaping.

Dwarf Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)

Dwarf Nandina shows off fine, bamboo-like leaves that change color with the seasons. Foliage goes from green to red and bronze in winter.

This compact shrub handles sun or shade. Plant it in well-drained soil and water regularly until established. Dwarf forms stay under 2 feet tall and wide, suiting small spaces.

Clusters of red berries can appear in winter. The leaves and berries are technically toxic, so take care near pets and children.

Juniper (Low-Growing Varieties)

Low-growing junipers form dense, spreading mats of blue or green needles. They suppress weeds and cover ground efficiently.

Plant juniper in full sun for thick growth. These shrubs tolerate drought and poor soils but dislike heavy, wet ground. Minimal pruning is needed for a neat look.

You often see them at the edges of walkways or slopes to prevent erosion.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather offers fine, evergreen foliage and small, bell-shaped flowers in late summer. Colors range from white to purple or pink.

It needs acidic, well-draining soil and lots of sunlight. Heather tolerates poor soils but not heavy clay. Space it so air flows between plants, as this helps prevent disease.

It grows low to the ground and works in rock gardens or along paths.

Blue Star Juniper

Blue Star Juniper draws attention with its steely blue foliage and dense, rounded form. This slow-growing evergreen stays compact, about 2-3 feet tall and wide.

Full sun and well-drained soil are essential. Blue Star Juniper withstands drought but struggles in wet areas. It’s pest-resistant and does not require frequent pruning.

Use it as a low accent in beds or near walkways.

Euonymus

Euonymus offers glossy green or variegated leaves. Some types grow upright; others spread along the ground.

You can plant it in sun or shade, and it adapts to many soils. Euonymus withstands pruning for tidy shapes. It works well for borders or against foundations.

Some varieties are prone to scale insects, so inspect leaves regularly.

Indian Hawthorn

Indian Hawthorn shows clusters of pink or white flowers in spring. Small, leathery, evergreen leaves keep it neat all year.

It prefers full sun but tolerates some shade. Indian Hawthorn needs well-draining soil and is drought-tolerant after establishment. Avoid overhead watering, as wet leaves attract disease.

Compact growth makes it suited for low hedges or foundation plantings.

Ninebark (Physocarpus)

Ninebark stands out with peeling bark, arching stems, and colorful leaves. Flower clusters bloom in late spring, followed by red seed capsules.

This shrub tolerates tough conditions, including clay soils and drought. Plant in full sun for best color. It grows fast and can reach several feet tall and wide.

Prune after flowering to keep it compact and promote new canes.

Box Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)

Box honeysuckle features small, dense, evergreen leaves. It forms a low, tidy hedge or can be clipped for formal shapes.

Plant this shrub in sun or part shade. It adapts to most soils and grows quickly with minimal care. Box Honeysuckle tolerates urban pollution and light drought.

Prune regularly to keep its shape and size controlled.

Deutzia

Deutzia produces arching branches with masses of white or pink flowers in late spring. The fine-textured foliage turns yellow or burgundy in autumn.

This bush thrives in sun and well-drained soil. Compact varieties suit front borders, while taller ones fill the background. Prune after flowering to encourage bushiness and blooms.

Deutzia is generally pest-free and needs little maintenance.

Pieris Japonica (Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub)

Pieris Japonica has glossy evergreen leaves and bell-shaped white or pink flowers in early spring. New foliage often emerges red or bronze.

Give this shrub acidic, organic-rich soil and partial shade. It dislikes heavy, wet soils. Mulching helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool.

Pieris grows slowly and maintains a compact, tidy shape with minimal pruning. Deer rarely bother this plant.