8 Shrubs Perfect for the Front of Your House

There are several shrubs and bushes that are shallow-rooted, drought-tolerant, and not to mention beautiful, that will spruce up the front of your house. Some great options include American Yew, boxwoods, and Chinese fringe flower.

If you're debating which kinds of shrubs to put in your yard, here are 8 shrubs perfect for the front of your house.

01 of 08
Indian Hawthorn

The Spruce / K. Dave

Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x delacourii) is a small, rounded evergreen shrub with leathery leaves, showy spring flowers, and purple-black winter fruit. Drought tolerant and shallow-rooted, it works well for foundation planting.
- Name: Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis x delacourii)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7a-10b
- Flower Color: Pink, white
- Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Needs: Neutral
- Water Requirement: Drought tolerant
- Mature Size: 3-6 ft. 5 in. tall, 3-5 ft. wide
- Deer Resistance: No
Continue to 2 of 8 below.
02 of 08
Chinese Fringe Flower

The Spruce / K. Dave

Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub that works well as a taller shrub on house corners or between windows. Its multi-stemmed growth with arching branches can reach 6 to 8 feet tall and equally as wide if not pruned regularly. There are dwarf cultivars also available. You can select lightly scented white, pink, or red flowers that appear from late March to April.
- Name: Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7b-9b
- Flower Color: Pink, white, red
- Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Needs: Acidic
- Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
- Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide unless a dwarf variety
- Deer Resistance: Yes
Continue to 3 of 8 below.
03 of 08
Winter Daphne

The Spruce / Nadia Hassani

Often called Winter or Fragrant daphne (Daphne odora) is a small shrub that produces small, highly perfumed flowers in mid-to-late winter when nothing else is blooming. It does not like wet roots so it works well to plant under the eaves of a house where it doesn't receive as much rain. The plant can cause contact dermatitis in humans.
- Name: Winter or Fragrant daphne (Daphne odora)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b
- Flower Color: Pink, white, lavender
- Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Needs: Neutral, loamy
- Water Requirement: Well-draining
- Mature Size: 3-6 ft. 6 in. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
- Deer Resistance: No
Continue to 4 of 8 below.
04 of 08
David Viburnum

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While many viburnum cultivars are deciduous, David viburnum (Viburnum davidii) is a slow-growing, small evergreen choice. It has glossy, dark leaves and small white flowers in the spring that lead to small metallic blue fruit for year-round interest.
- Name: David viburnum (Viburnum davidii)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7b-9b
- Flower Color: Cream, tan, pink, white
- Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Needs: Neutral
- Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
- Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 3-5 ft. wide
- Deer Resistance: Yes
Continue to 5 of 8 below.
05 of 08
American Yew

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

There are many cultivars of yew and some can grow nearly 60 feet tall. But American yew (Taxus canadensis) rarely grows over 5 feet. It does prefer shade and no direct sun but grows well in almost any type of soil. It is toxic to cats and dogs.
- Name: American or Canadian yew (Taxus canadensis)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b
- Flower Color: Cream, tan; red berries
- Light Requirement: Deep or partial shade
- Soil Needs: Neutral
- Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
- Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide
- Deer Resistance: No
Continue to 6 of 8 below.
06 of 08
Green Mountain Boxwood

Akchamczuk / Getty Images

Green mountain boxwood (Buxus 'Green Mountain') is a slow-growing dense boxwood with an upright, pyramidal shape. It works well as an accent shrub and tolerates a variety of soils.
- Name: Green mountain boxwood (Buxus 'Green Mountain')
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b
- Flower Color: Cream, tan; copper berries
- Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Needs: Neutral
- Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
- Mature Size: 4-5 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
- Deer Resistance: Yes
Continue to 7 of 8 below.
07 of 08
Bar Harbor Juniper

Ron Evans / Getty Images

Bar harbor juniper is a slow-growing, low plant that works well in front of taller shrubs in front of a house. It tolerates hot weather, full sun, and all types of soils. The blue-green foliage is a welcome contrast to many home colors.
- Name: Bar harbor juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor')
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4b-9b
- Flower Color: No flowers; blue winter fruit
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Neutral
- Water Requirement: Good drainage
- Mature Size: 8 in.-1 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide
- Deer Resistance: Yes
Continue to 8 of 8 below.
08 of 08
Glossy Abelia

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Glossy abelia is a medium-sized, multi-stemmed, hybrid shrub with numerous cultivars presenting various foliage variations. Glossy abelia is easy to grow and has a very long blooming season attracting butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Name: Glossy abelia (Linnaea x grandiflora)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b
- Flower Color: Pink, white
- Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Needs: Neutral
- Water Requirement: Moist, good drainage
- Mature Size: 2 ft. 6 in.-8 ft. tall, 3-6 ft. wide
- Deer Resistance: Yes

Learn More

These eight shrubs would be a perfect addition to any front yard. Once you've got your shrubs picked out, consider how they could best be laid out in your yard for optimal presentation. If you're interested in other shrub options, consider smaller shrubs or ones that provide shade in your yard.

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