A home’s curb appeal is more than just a neatly manicured lawn and a spotless new coat of paint. By choosing the right shrubbery for the yard, a homeowner can define the space and visually guide visitors to the front door. Every shrub has a natural size and shape, which homeowners should consider before planting.

Softening The Edges

One of the best uses for landscape shrubbery is to frame the exterior of the home. Sharp 90-degree angles can be rounded with a Little Gem Magnolia at each corner; for the best results, choose a small tree or medium shrub species such as the bush honeysuckle to flank larger varieties. Doing so will help create a relaxed grouping in most zones. If a home’s foundation is deteriorating, small shrubs planted along the base of the structure will guide a visitor’s eye downward (rather than to the home’s appearance). However, it’s a good idea to allow several feet of space between shrubs, because covering the entire home foundation can contribute to a shabby, run-down appearance.

Near the Home’s Doorway

A home’s doorway should have warm, welcoming landscaping around it. Tall shrubbery around the door can give the entryway a closed-in, uninviting feel. To combat this, group small shrubs such as paper bushes and the Little Gem Magnolia around the sides of the entryway so visitors can move inside quickly and easily. When landscaping the entryway, homeowners should choose shrubs that grow slowly to eliminate the need for constant pruning. Doorways can retain significant heat, especially if they face the south, and drought-tolerant shrubs and plants work well in full sunlight.

Location, Location, Location

Deciduous shrubs should be planted on the east and south sides of the yard. These shrubs have dense foliage in the summer and springtime, and deciduous shrubs keep some heat and sunlight from reaching the home. By comparison, evergreen shrubbery such as the angel’s trumpet work well on the north side of the yard because their persistent foliage blocks harsh winter winds. If a homeowner has small shrubs that require partial or full shade, they should be planted close to a large shrub that needs full sunlight. By varying shrubbery heights, homeowners can improve the appearance of their landscaping and put plants where they will be the healthiest and live the longest.

Maintaining Balance With Plantings

All landscaping and shrubbery shouldn’t be concentrated on one side of the homeowner’s yard, as such a positioning creates an unbalanced appearance. Create a more unified look by grouping odd numbers of bushes on both sides of the yard. There doesn’t necessarily have to be an even number of groups on either side; by missing smaller and larger plant species together, a landscaping design can offer visual interest and balance to visitors as they approach the home.

There are many ways to increase a home’s curb appeal, but landscaping and shrubbery from a nursery offer unmatched visual interest, among other advantages. By choosing the right bushes and shrubs to surround a home, the homeowner can provide natural cooling and beauty while increasing the aesthetic appeal and overall value of the property.