Foundation Planting Basics

By: Christopher J. Cohan, This Old House magazine (Page 4 of 5)

Foundation plantings are house-hugging plants that should complement and enhance your home

plant suggestions for foundation plantings

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Variegated wintercreeper, ferns, and grasses provide a bold foliage display; impatiens add color

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An exuberant mix of low-growing perennials that won't block windows as they grow

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Lush beds of mophead hydrangea and shade-loving hosta flank a covered entry

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Andromeda (Pieris japonica)

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Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

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Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)

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'Autumn Joy' sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy')

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Coneflower (Echinachea spp.)

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Summer-flowering Shrubs

Azalea and rhododendron provide reliable spring color; adding later-flowering shrubs will extend the show.

-'Betty Prior' rose (Rosa 'Betty Prior') and 'Knock Out' rose (Rosa 'Knock Out') Compact pink and red roses that flower all summer, are pest- and disease-resistant, 2and adaptable. Can be maintained as nicely shaped shrubs 3 to 4 feet tall. Prefer sun but do well in partial shade; hardy to -20° F.

-'Endless Summer' hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer') This mophead blooms repeatedly on new and old wood, eliminating any guesswork on how to prune hydrangeas to encourage flowers. to 5 feet tall. to partial shade; hardy to -20° F.

-Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) Trouble-free native with oval-shaped green leaves and fluffy spikes of white flowers in mid to late summer. 'Sixteen Candles' variety is a butterfly and hummingbird magnet that grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is perfect for foundations and massing. 'Ruby Spice' grows up to 8 feet tall, with deep-pink flowers. Both have foliage that turns yellow/orange in fall. Sun to partial shade, moist soil; hardy to -30° F.