Native Shrubs for the Front Foundation

Clethra alnifolia

The soil moisture levels around our house foundations tend to be average to wet even without irrigation. No gutters, overflowing gutters, add an irrigation system without a rain sensor and a foundation can be really wet all the time. From a native plant standpoint, we're in luck... kinda. Over the years I have found there are lots of native shrubs that enjoy extra water (i.e. Clethra, Itea, Aesculus, Vaccinium, etc.). However, not all are appropriate for foundation design.

There are several other challenges as well. Many native shrubs mature at a height taller than four feet, which, unless you have an usually tall foundation, is greater than windowsill height on most homes. We want sunlight coming through those windows without giving up our Saturdays to keep it that way. The availability of native evergreens is also problematic. It's a relatively small category of plants.

So locating shrubs that are native, evergreen or deciduous, thrive in average to wet soil, and grow to a maximum height of four feet or less is not an easy task. But, I have a few suggestions, both evergreen and deciduous...

---

Leucothoe f. 'Whitewater'

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Whitewater' can be a difficult plant to site successfully in the landscape. But where it is happy, it's a winner. It prefers moist conditions and full shade. Maturing at three to four feet in height (between hip and chest) and four to six feet in width, Leucothoe is a weeping, subtly variegated evergreen and puts on a show all year long as it changes color through the seasons. Performing as a very a-la-natural shrub, it is not recommended for a formal design. Underplant it with Carex Grasses, small Ferns and dark Heucheras to create some color and textural contrast.

Fothergilla gardenii is deciduous, which means its amazing fall color is the trade-off for bare winter stems. Actually, this stiff upright shrub is somewhat sculptural and attractive in the winter landscape. Anticipation is what the changing of the seasons is all about, so a mix of deciduous and evergreen plants in the foundation is preferable anyway. Fothergilla blooms white in early spring and also has a blue cast to its summer leaves. Bloom and leaf color as well as fall color are best achieved in full-sun.

Fothergilla gardenii (fall)

Fotherfilla gardenii (summer)

Fothergilla gardenii (bloom)

Plants within the Ilex glabra species can be large, leggy, and thin. With part- to full-sun, Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' is a smaller, denser cultivar and functions well in the formal landscape. The new light green foliage of spring changes to a lovely blue green as the summer progresses. Although this cultivar can reach 5 feet at maturity, it is a slow grower. A hard pruning with loppers and hand-pruners every few years will ensure Ilex glabra maintains its natural growth pattern and continues to be a low-maintenance shrub.

Ilex glabra

Illicium floridanum 'Pink Frost'

Illicium floridanum 'Pink Frost' is a relatively new cultivar and has quickly risen to the top of my favorite list. Evergreen, subtle variegation, and extremely slow-growing, I will put this on a foundation because homeowners might prune this shrub every other year. It's that slow. Illicium must have full shade or no more than a few hours of morning sun.

The soil around these plants should not be allowed to become powder dry, and these plants will require supplemental water during drought. If and when to irrigate will depend on day and nighttime temperatures. Dig around periodically to assess the moisture levels of your soil and how well it drains.

Next time we will continue with native perennials and grasses, which is a huge category. I will stick to my favorites for the foundation and tell you why. Until then... stay safe and think spring.