Foundation Planting: What to Do and What to Avoid

Foundation planting—placing plants around the edges of your home’s foundation—helps create a seamless transition between the building and its surroundings. When designing a foundation garden, remember that the goal is to enhance your home’s beauty by framing it with plants, not necessarily hiding its structure. That said, it can serve both purposes if needed.

A well-planted foundation area allows the house to feel integrated into the landscape, rather than looking like it was simply dropped onto the land. Done right, foundation planting can even increase your property’s value by over 10%. Without it, your house may appear bare and stark, lacking in character.

Don’t Plant Near Utility Lines or AC Units

Before you start, make sure to contact 811 to check the locations of any underground utilities on your property. This ensures you avoid planting in problematic areas. When choosing trees near power lines, stick to varieties that will grow no taller than 25 feet when mature. Otherwise, you may have to deal with frequent pruning.

If you want to hide unsightly air-conditioning units with shrubs, be sure to leave 2 feet of clearance on all sides and 5 feet above to allow proper airflow and maintenance.

Do Give Plants Room to Grow

Avoid planting trees and shrubs too close to your house. Roots from nearby plants can damage foundations, water pipes, and drainage systems, and can even block airflow, causing mold and mildew. To prevent problems, allow enough space for plants to grow without crowding the house. For trees or large shrubs that grow over 6 feet, keep the foliage at least 5 feet from the building, and 3 feet for smaller bushes. For added protection against termites, keep wood mulch at least a foot away from the foundation and use crushed gravel as a buffer.

Additionally, ensure that the ground slopes away from the house, ideally 6 inches downward for every 10 feet, to direct rainwater away from the foundation.

Do Choose Plants in Proportion to Your Home

A towering tree can make a small house appear even smaller, while a large mansion surrounded by tiny trees can look out of proportion. Ideally, trees near your home should grow just below the roofline, with the tallest trees placed at the building’s corners. This placement softens the look of the house and avoids overwhelming it.

For shrubs, avoid those that will grow tall enough to block windows. Plant taller varieties far enough from the house so their branches won’t interfere with gutters as they grow.

Do Keep Design Principles Flexible

Your planting bed should typically extend 6 to 8 feet from the foundation and extend beyond the house’s length. But remember, plants look more natural when arranged in loose, asymmetrical groups, rather than perfectly straight rows. Formal designs are best for more traditional, structured buildings, while casual layouts suit more relaxed, organic homes.

A paved path leading to the house should be at least 4½ feet wide for easy access, and avoid isolated island beds, as they can make the landscaping appear disconnected.

Don’t Ignore Sunlight and Shade Needs

Before buying plants, check their sunlight requirements. Some, like roses, need at least 6 hours of sun to thrive, while others, like hydrangeas, can flourish in partial or full shade. Pay attention to how much sunlight your foundation beds receive throughout the day. If the area gets less than 6 hours of sunlight, choose plants suited for partial shade. For areas with only 2 hours or less, opt for full-shade plants. Also, avoid overcrowding, as plants can shade each other out as they grow.

Do Pay Attention to Symmetry Around the Front Door

Foundation plantings should complement the house, especially the entryway. For example, an attractive specimen tree, like a dogwood or crabapple, can help draw attention to the front door.

For symmetry, you can mirror plants on either side of the entrance. If you prefer an informal approach, balance the “visual weight” of plants instead. For instance, if a large red-leafed Japanese maple is placed to one side of the door, balance it with a few medium-sized shrubs on the other side for visual harmony.

Do Use Repetition Strategically

Repetition doesn’t mean planting the same shrub over and over, but rather repeating shapes or colors to create cohesion. For example, a red-flowering bush on one side of the door can complement the red hues of a nearby tree. You can also repeat the shape of an evergreen with pointed tips to echo the triangular gables of your home’s roof. Using the same ground-cover plant under all your shrubs can also help unify the design while still allowing each plant to stand out.

Don’t Forget About Year-Round Appeal

Relying solely on deciduous plants, which lose their leaves in winter, can leave your foundation bed looking bare when the cold months arrive. On the other hand, too many evergreens can make your landscape feel drab in the warmer months.

To ensure your foundation planting looks appealing year-round, aim for a balance of deciduous and evergreen plants, along with a few perennials. For example, Monrovia recommends using about half evergreens, a quarter flowering shrubs, and a quarter perennials. This way, your garden will have vibrant blooms in the spring and summer, and evergreens will provide structure and interest during the winter months.

By thoughtfully considering the right plants, spacing, and layout, your foundation planting can enhance your home’s curb appeal, provide year-round interest, and contribute to the overall beauty and value of your property.