Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Best Foundation Plants for Stellar Curb Appeal

Evergreen Shrubs: Rhododendron

'Yaku Prince'


These bones of a foundation planting provide structure to the flowering specimens around them. Slow-growing, dwarf, or compact varieties are a smart choice, especially under windows.


Rhododendron is a favorite for showy spring flowers and glossy green leaves; shorter varieties require less maintenance pruning to stay in check. 'Yaku Prince' blooms with funnel-shaped pink flowers and grows to 3 feet high and wide with olive-green leaves; Zones 4 to 8. Azalea 'Delaware Valley White,' a subspecies, has tubular white flowers and gets about a foot bigger



Littleleaf Boxwood



(Buxus microphylla) 'Winter Gem'


Among the more compact boxwoods, 'Green Velvet' has pale green leaves and a mounding habit that can grow to 4 feet high and wide; zones 5 to 8. 'Winter Gem' reaches a similar size but with yellowish-green leaves.





Japanese Pieris



(Pieris japonica) 'Cavatine'


Dense habit with branches that reach to the ground. 'Cavatine' has leathery, dark green leaves with bell-like white flowers in spring. Can grow to 3 feet high and wide.


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