Plants For Around House: Choosing The Right Greenery For Every Side

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever stood on your lawn, looked back at your home, and felt like something was… missing? That bare, awkward space where your house meets the ground can feel so stark and uninviting. It’s a common puzzle for gardeners, and choosing the right plants for around house foundations can feel like a high-stakes decision.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this feeling! Many of us have been there, staring at a blank canvas and wondering where to even begin. The good news? You absolutely can transform that space into a lush, beautiful frame for your home that boosts curb appeal and brings you joy every time you pull into the driveway.

This comprehensive plants for around house guide is here to walk you through it, step-by-step. We’ll promise to take the guesswork out of the equation. We’ll explore how to “read” the unique environment around your home, pick the perfect plants for every sun-soaked or shady spot, and share the best practices to ensure your new garden thrives for years to come.

Ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s begin.

Before You Dig: The Secret to Success with Plants Around Your House

Before you even think about buying a single plant, let’s talk strategy. A little bit of observation now will save you a world of headache later. This is the most important step in our guide on how to plant for around house foundations successfully.

“Reading” Your Sunlight: The North, South, East, West Rule

Your house casts a giant shadow, creating different “microclimates” on each side. Understanding this is the key to picking plants that will flourish, not just survive.

  • North-Facing: This is your shadiest, coolest spot. It gets very little direct sun, so you’ll need to choose true shade-lovers here.
  • South-Facing: The complete opposite! This side gets blasted with intense, all-day sun. It’s the hottest and driest area, perfect for sun-worshipping, drought-tolerant plants.
  • East-Facing: This is the gentle side. It gets lovely, soft morning sun and is then protected from the harsh afternoon heat. Many plants adore this location.
  • West-Facing: This spot can be tricky. It’s often shady in the morning but gets hit with the most intense, hot afternoon sun. You need tough, resilient plants here.

Know Your Soil, Know Your Success

Your soil is the foundation of your garden. You don’t need to be a soil scientist, but knowing its basic type (clay, sandy, or loamy) is a huge help. Most home improvement stores sell simple soil test kits.

Regardless of your soil type, you can almost never go wrong by adding compost. Mixing a few inches of good-quality compost into your garden beds will improve drainage, add vital nutrients, and give your plants the best possible start.

Think About Mature Size (A Rookie Mistake to Avoid!)

This is one of the most important plants for around house tips I can give you. That cute little shrub in the one-gallon pot might grow to be 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide! Always, always read the plant tag to understand its mature size.

Planting too close to the house can trap moisture against your foundation, create a highway for pests, and block windows. A good rule of thumb is to plant a shrub half of its mature width away from the wall. So, a shrub that gets 6 feet wide should be planted at least 3 feet from your foundation.

Best Plants for Around House: A Side-by-Side Guide

Okay, now for the fun part! Based on your home’s orientation, here are some fantastic, reliable choices. We’ve picked a mix of flowers, shrubs, and textures to get you started.

For the Sun-Drenched South-Facing Wall

This spot calls for tough plants that laugh in the face of heat. Think Mediterranean vibes!

  • Lavender: Fragrant, beautiful, and loves the heat. Its silvery foliage is a stunning contrast against darker siding.
  • Coneflower (Echinacea): These classic, daisy-like flowers are pollinator magnets and come in a rainbow of colors. They are incredibly drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’: A true four-season plant. It emerges with fleshy green leaves in spring, forms broccoli-like heads in summer, and erupts in pinkish-red flowers in fall. It’s virtually indestructible.
  • Russian Sage: With its airy, silvery stems and lavender-blue flowers, this plant adds incredible texture and thrives on neglect.
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For the Cool and Shady North-Facing Wall

Don’t despair over a shady spot! This is your chance to play with lush foliage, texture, and subtle color.

  • Hostas: The undisputed kings of the shade garden. They come in countless sizes, shapes, and colors, from deep green to chartreuse to variegated.
  • Hydrangeas: Many varieties, especially Bigleaf (macrophylla) and Oakleaf hydrangeas, do wonderfully here. They provide huge, stunning blooms in summer.
  • Astilbe: Known for its feathery, plume-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and red. It adds a soft, delicate texture to shady corners.
  • Japanese Painted Fern: This isn’t your average fern. Its stunning silvery fronds with hints of burgundy and green will brighten up the darkest spots.

For the Gentle Morning Sun on an East-Facing Wall

This is the sweet spot for many gorgeous plants that appreciate a gentle start to the day.

  • Azaleas & Rhododendrons: These spring-blooming powerhouses love the acidic soil and morning sun that an east-facing bed often provides.
  • Coral Bells (Heuchera): Grown primarily for their spectacular foliage, which comes in shades of deep purple, orange, lime green, and more. They send up delicate flower spikes in late spring.
  • Bleeding Heart: A whimsical, old-fashioned favorite with unique, heart-shaped flowers that dangle from arching stems. It’s a true showstopper in the spring garden.

For the Hot Afternoon Sun on a West-Facing Wall

You need tough-as-nails plants here that can handle the heat without fainting.

  • Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): Cheerful, golden-yellow flowers that bloom for months on end. They are native, tough, and great for pollinators.
  • Daylilies: The ultimate easy-care perennial. Modern varieties come in nearly every color imaginable and will produce a profusion of blooms with minimal fuss.
  • Salvia: Varieties like ‘May Night’ or ‘Caradonna’ produce vibrant spikes of purple-blue flowers that bees absolutely adore. They are very heat and drought-tolerant.
  • Ornamental Grasses: Plants like Little Bluestem or Switchgrass add movement, texture, and year-round interest while standing up to the intense sun.

The Benefits of Plants for Around House Go Beyond Beauty

Choosing the right greenery does more than just make your home look pretty. There are some fantastic practical and benefits of plants for around house foundations that you’ll enjoy for years.

Boosting Curb Appeal and Home Value

A well-landscaped foundation is one of the first things people notice. It creates a welcoming entrance and can significantly increase your home’s perceived value. It shows care and attention to detail.

Natural Insulation and Energy Savings

Believe it or not, foundation plantings can help with your energy bills. A layer of shrubs can create a pocket of dead air that helps insulate your home, keeping it slightly cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Creating a Haven for Pollinators (An Eco-Friendly Bonus!)

By choosing a variety of flowering plants, you can create a vital food source and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Choosing native species is a fantastic way to create eco-friendly plants for around house foundations that support your local ecosystem.

How to Plant for Around House: Best Practices for Long-Term Health

You’ve done your research and picked your plants. Now, let’s get them in the ground correctly. Following these plants for around house best practices will ensure they get off to a great start.

  1. Proper Spacing: Place your plants (still in their pots) according to your plan. Respect their mature width! This is your last chance to get the spacing right before digging.
  2. Dig the Right-Sized Hole: Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plant’s root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. This gives the roots room to spread out into loosened soil.
  3. Amend the Soil: Mix some compost or other organic matter into the soil you removed from the hole. This enriches the soil and helps your plant get established.
  4. Tease the Roots: Gently loosen any tightly wound roots at the bottom of the root ball. If they’re really dense, you can even make a few vertical cuts with a knife. This encourages them to grow outward.
  5. Plant at the Correct Depth: Place the plant in the hole so that the top of its root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding ground. Planting too deep is a common mistake that can harm the plant.
  6. Water Deeply: After backfilling the hole with your amended soil, give the plant a long, deep drink of water to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
  7. Mulching Magic: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (like shredded bark or pine straw) around the base of the plant, but be sure to keep it from touching the actual stem. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
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Solving Common Problems with Plants for Around House

Even with the best planning, issues can arise. Here’s a quick look at some common problems with plants for around house and how to fix them.

Problem: Plants are Too Close to the Foundation

The Fix: If you’ve inherited an overgrown landscape or made this mistake yourself, the only real solution is to move the plant. Do this in the fall or early spring when the plant is dormant to minimize stress. It’s a bit of work, but it will protect your home and help the plant thrive.

Problem: Water Pooling Near the House

The Fix: This is often a grading issue. The ground should slope gently away from your foundation. If plantings are trapping water, you may need to re-grade the bed. Also, ensure your gutters and downspouts are directing water far away from your foundation beds.

Problem: Pests Making a Home

The Fix: Overcrowded plants with poor air circulation are an open invitation for pests and diseases. Prune your shrubs to open them up. Choosing disease-resistant varieties from the start and encouraging beneficial insects can also dramatically reduce pest issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plants for Around the House

What are the most low-maintenance plants for around a house?

For sunny spots, you can’t go wrong with Daylilies, Sedum, or Ornamental Grasses. For shady areas, Hostas and Ferns are incredibly easy to care for once established. The key is always matching the right plant to the right place.

How far from the house should I plant shrubs?

A great rule of thumb is to take the shrub’s mature width, divide it by two, and add at least one foot. For a shrub that grows 8 feet wide, plant it at least 5 feet (4 + 1) from your foundation. This ensures good air circulation and access for home maintenance.

Can I plant trees close to my house?

It’s generally not recommended. Tree roots can be incredibly invasive and cause serious damage to foundations over time. Stick to small, ornamental trees (like Japanese Maples or Dogwoods) and plant them at least 15-20 feet away from your home.

What are some good sustainable plants for around the house?

The most sustainable plants for around house foundations are native plants! These are species that have evolved in your local climate. They typically require less water, no fertilizer, and are perfectly adapted to support local wildlife. A quick search for “native plants for [your state]” will give you a fantastic list to start with.

Your Beautiful Foundation Garden Awaits!

Whew, that was a lot of information! But now you are armed with a complete plants for around house care guide. You know how to assess your space, choose the right plants for each unique spot, and plant them for long-term success.

Remember, gardening is a journey, not a destination. Start small, have fun with it, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Transforming the space around your home is one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake.

Your beautiful, thriving foundation garden is just a few steps away. Grab your gloves, and happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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