It’s true: we’ve made a few mistakes when it comes to front yard landscaping. There was that time we planted a climbing hydrangea far away from any fence or trellis (it slowly absorbed the bed like an alien in a horror movie). And that time we planted so many strawberries, they throttled the adjacent heather until nothing was left but dried out, feathery skeletons.
Thankfully we’ve learned from our mistakes. Now we can say with confidence that we’ve found the right plants for our design. This is important, since a well-chosen shrub can transform the front of a house, adding structure, beauty, and year-round appeal. But not all shrubs are created equal, and everyone’s situation is different. So how do you know which shrubs to choose?
Shrubs are the backbone of front yard design, enhancing curb appeal with vibrant greenery, blooms and foliage. Aside from aesthetics, they provide practical benefits such as increased privacy, cooling, wind protection, and seasonal interest throughout the year. Many also require minimal upkeep.
When selecting shrubs for your home, it’s important to consider your local climate, a plant’s mature size, maintenance requirements, and bloom time. In this guide, we’ll explore shrub options that will elevate your front yard’s charm and functionality.
Looking to add some life and vibrant colors to your front yard? You’re in the right place! As a landscape designer for over 10 years, I’ve helped countless homeowners transform their boring front yards into stunning, colorful landscapes. Today, I’m gonna share my favorite colorful shrubs that’ll make your home’s curb appeal absolutely pop!
Why Choose Colorful Shrubs for Your Front Yard?
Before diving into specific shrubs, let’s talk about why colorful shrubs are awesome for front yards:
- They create year-round visual interest
- Boost your home’s curb appeal and value
- Require less maintenance than annual flowers
- Provide natural privacy and structure
- Can increase property value by 5.5-12.7%
Top Colorful Shrubs for Front of House Landscaping
1. Hydrangeas – The Show-Stopping Beauty
Ya know what I love about hydrangeas? They’re like the chameleons of the garden world! These stunning shrubs produce massive blooms that can change colors based on your soil pH:
- Colors: Pink, blue, purple, or white
- Height: 3-6 feet tall
- Blooming season: Summer through fall
- Best varieties:
- Incrediball® (white blooms)
- Let’s Dance Can Do!® (pink/blue blooms)
- Fire Light Tidbit® (white to pink transition)
Pro tip Want blue flowers? Add aluminum sulfate to make soil more acidic. For pink blooms add lime to increase pH.
2. Azaleas – Spring Color Explosion
These babies are like nature’s fireworks! They burst with color in spring and some varieties rebloom throughout summer
- Colors: White, pink, red, purple, orange
- Height: 2-6 feet
- Best for: Partial shade areas
- Popular varieties:
- Perfecto Mundo® series
- ‘Little Gem’ (compact variety)
- ‘Double White’ (ruffled flowers)
3. Weigela – Hummingbird’s Favorite
I’m telling ya, if you want a shrub that attracts hummingbirds while looking fabulous, weigela is your go-to:
- Colors: Pink, red, white flowers with green or purple foliage
- Height: 2-5 feet
- Features:
- Long blooming period
- Low maintenance
- Drought tolerant once established
4. Japanese Barberry – Year-Round Color
This tough cookie provides amazing color even when not flowering:
- Foliage colors: Purple, red, orange, or gold
- Height: 2-6 feet
- Notable varieties:
- ‘Admiration’ (coral-red leaves)
- ‘Golden Rocket’ (chartreuse foliage)
- ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ (burgundy leaves)
Tips for Planting Colorful Shrubs
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of experience:
-
Consider Your Space
- Check mature sizes before planting
- Allow enough space between shrubs
- Think about your house color
-
Light Requirements:
- Full sun: 6+ hours direct sunlight
- Partial shade: 3-6 hours sunlight
- Full shade: Less than 3 hours sun
-
Maintenance Tips:
- Water deeply but infrequently
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Prune after flowering
- Feed with balanced fertilizer in spring
Creating Color Combinations
Let me share my favorite combos that’ll make your neighbors jealous:
-
Bold & Beautiful:
- Purple Japanese Barberry
- Pink Weigela
- White Hydrangeas
-
Soft & Elegant:
- Blue Hydrangeas
- White Azaleas
- Golden Japanese Barberry
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Trust me, I’ve seen these mistakes way too often:
- Planting too close to house foundation
- Ignoring mature plant sizes
- Not considering bloom times
- Forgetting about winter interest
- Skipping soil preparation
Planning Your Colorful Front Yard
When planning your colorful shrub garden, remember:
-
Layer Your Plants:
- Tall shrubs in back
- Medium height in middle
- Low-growing in front
-
Think About Seasons:
- Spring: Azaleas, Forsythia
- Summer: Hydrangeas, Weigela
- Fall: Burning Bush, Smokebush
- Winter: Evergreen varieties
Final Thoughts
Creating a colorful front yard with shrubs isn’t rocket science, but it does need some planning. Start small, maybe with just 2-3 different shrubs, and expand as you get more confident. Remember, your garden is unique to you – there’s no “one size fits all” solution!
I’d love to hear about your experiences with colorful shrubs! What’s working in your front yard? Any challenges you’re facing? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about making your front yard absolutely spectacular!
Happy gardening, folks!
Note: This guide is based on general growing conditions. Always check your specific USDA hardiness zone and local conditions before making final plant selections.
Sunlight and soil conditions
Observe how much sun your front yard receives throughout the day, as some shrubs thrive in full sun while others prefer partial shade or even dappled light. If you find this tricky, try a sunlight calculator or one of the many apps designed for this purpose. Soil type and drainage are equally important; most shrubs dislike “wet feet,” so be sure your site drains well. Consider doing a soil test to understand your soil’s pH and nutrient content. This information can help you choose shrubs that will thrive naturally without too many amendments or fertilizers.
Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)
Viburnums are versatile shrubs known for their showy foliage, attractive flowers and berries that make them excellent additions to home gardens. Many can be pruned into striking hedges or used as specimen plants, offering both seasonal beauty and structure. Generally tolerant of shade, viburnums are also resistant to deer. They produce clusters of white flowers followed by colorful berries that attract birds and other wildlife.
North American native selections like the deciduous cranberry (viburnum trilobum) or arrowwood (viburnum dentatum) viburnum offer stunning berry displays in pink, orange and blue, while rarer dwarf options work well for smaller spaces. For year-round foliage, native evergreen viburnums to consider include Viburnum obovatum for the south, and the non-native Viburnum tinus. These low-maintenance shrubs bring multi-season interest and ecological benefits to a wide range of garden settings.
Hardiness: Zones 2-9. Check specific species for tolerance in your area. Preferred habitat: Predominantly full sun to part shade. Some varieties will tolerate more shade than others. Viburnums prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Uses: Good for anchor plants, foundation plantings, mass plantings, and borders.
Top 10 Shrub Combinations to Plant In Front of Your Home!
FAQ
What is the best bush to put in the front of the house?
- Weigela. …
- Globe-Shaped Arborvitae. …
- Boxwood. …
- Forsythia. …
- Inkberry Holly. …
- Azalea. …
- Smokebush. Add some whimsy to your front landscape with smokebush. …
- Yew. Yew will thrive in any light exposure: full sun, full shade, or anywhere in between.
What is the most low maintenance landscaping for front yard?
Ornamental grasses are a great low maintenance landscaping option. You can find a variety of grass that are native to your area and don’t have to be a landscaping expert to find ways to incorporate them into your yard.
What shrubs look good all year-round?
- Gold Splash® Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) …
- Castle Keep® Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae) …
- Gem Box® Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra) …
- Sky Box® Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) …
- North Pole® Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) …
- Tator Tot® Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
What is the lowest maintenance shrub?
- Double Play Doozie® Spiraea. Double Play Doozie® spirea shines in the landscape from spring to fall, reblooming abundantly with no pruning needed. …
- Let’s Dance Can Do! ® …
- Azurri Blue Satin® Hibiscus. …
- North Pole® Arborvitae. …
- Spilled Wine® Weigela.