Shrubs tend to be the centerpiece of most people’s front yard gardening. I
think that’s because shrubs are easy, but they’re also expected. Homes without a
row of shrubs lining the front look kind of naked and unloved.
But it can be difficult choosing the right shrubs for your yard. There are so
many possibilities and so many conditions in front yards that no one shrub is
going to be perfect for every situation. I think what most people are looking
for in their shrubs, though, is something that is easy to care for.
Shrubs are something you don’t want to have to think about, you just want to
plant them and have them survive with a minimum of watering and pruning. And if
you’re looking for easy-care shrubs, evergreen shrubs simply can’t be beat.
Evergreen shrubs are the perfect combination of easy good looks and minimum
care. They look good year round, which is perfect for something that’s in your
front yard where everyone can see it all the time.
When I moved into my current home, the front yard was filled with a bunch of
evergreen boxwood shrubs. These little evergreens are super-easy to grow and
will look good with almost no care. If you take the time to water them
occasionally, they will reward you with more growth.
Though they’re called “evergreens,” boxwood shrubs grown in the sun will
actually turn orange in the winter. I think they’re prettier than the plain old
green ones, and we actually kept our boxwood that were in the sun and got rid of
the ones in the shade (they turn green again when it warms in the spring).
We replaced the boxwood shrubs we got rid of with evergreen azaleas. Azaleas
are one of the stars of the shady garden, producing beautiful and bright flowers
in the spring. The rest of the time they look nice, too, with small, waxy, dark
green leaves. The azaleas are a little more work than the boxwood was; we water
them through the summer and apply acid once or twice a year. Still, not much
effort for solidly beautiful shrubs.
Another good choice for shade is hydrangeas, which have big puffballs of
flowers in the late spring or early summer (some also bloom in fall). Hydrangeas
are fun because the plants that bloom pink or blue can actually bloom different
colors depending on the condition of the soil. A low pH (acid soil) makes blue
blooms, while a very alkaline soil makes hydrangeas bloom pink. Even if you buy
a plant that is supposed to bloom the other color, the pH of your soil may give
the plant other ideas. (Like azaleas, not all hydrangeas are evergreen, so be
sure to check the label.)
Holly shrubs are another good choice, and they make a nice hedgerow if you
have an expanse of house that you want to cover up. They’ll need pruning to stay
looking nice and to keep their shape, but they are worth it because they make
these beautiful, large, lush shrubs that have berries in the winter, which bring
color to the yard and attract birds.
Leaving the world of evergreens, for an informal sunny garden, butterfly bush
is a great choice. These shrubs have huge cones of colorful flowers that bloom
in high summer and are very attractive to butterflies (and bees, so be careful
planting these if someone in your household is allergic to bee stings). Some
varieties of butterfly bush are huge, growing up to six feet tall and five or
six feet wide. If you don’t have room for that kind of commitment, smaller
hybrids are now available.
Those shopping for shrubs in the Deep South for sunny spots should also
consider crape myrtle. These large bushes or small trees make great
quick-growing hedges. New cultivars bloom twice a year or have extra-long
blooming periods. This is another great shrub for attracting butterflies and
other fun insects.
Easy-care shrubs make a great foundation for your flower garden, whether in
the front yard or back yard. When these reliable performers are in place you can
focus your attention on the fun stuff: planting and caring for your flowers and
other plants.
