Best Plants for Side of House: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to landscaping your home, the side of the house often presents a unique challenge. It's typically visible from the street, but also serves as a transition space between your front yard and backyard. Choosing the right plants can enhance your home's curb appeal, provide privacy, and even improve energy efficiency. Let's explore some plant options that are perfect for the side of your house.

Before we dive into specific plants, consider the following factors to help guide your decision: sunlight exposure, soil type, climate, and the overall aesthetic you're aiming for. Remember, the goal is to create a harmonious blend of plants that complement your home's architecture and provide year-round interest.

Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Privacy

Evergreen shrubs are an excellent choice for the side of your house, as they retain their foliage throughout the year, providing consistent privacy and a neat appearance. They also help insulate your home, reducing energy costs.

Evergreens come in various shapes and sizes, allowing you to create layers and textures in your landscape. Here are two popular options:

Leyland Cypress

The Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing, narrow evergreen that's perfect for creating a tall, dense screen. Its dark green foliage provides excellent privacy and blocks unwanted views. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is relatively low-maintenance.

Tip: Plant Leyland Cypress in a staggered pattern to create a solid hedge. Space plants about 3-5 feet apart, depending on the desired height and density.

Boxwood

Boxwood is a versatile, slow-growing evergreen shrub that's ideal for formal hedges, topiary, or as a foundation planting. Its small, glossy leaves create a neat, manicured appearance, and it tolerates shearing well. Boxwood prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Tip: For a classic look, plant boxwood in rows, spacing plants about 18-24 inches apart for a dense hedge. Alternatively, use them as individual specimens or in combination with other plants for a more naturalistic design.

Flowering Plants for Seasonal Color

Incorporating flowering plants into your landscape adds vibrant colors and attracts pollinators. Choose plants that bloom at different times of the year to ensure continuous color throughout the growing season.

Here are two flowering plants that thrive on the side of the house:

Roses

Roses are classic choices for home landscapes, offering a wide range of colors, sizes, and fragrances. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Plant roses as foundation plantings, in borders, or as specimen plants. To create a cohesive look, choose roses with similar bloom times and care requirements.

Tip: Consider disease-resistant varieties like 'Morden Centennial', 'Knock Out', or 'Dr. Huey' for low-maintenance beauty.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are versatile, deciduous shrubs that produce stunning clusters of flowers in summer and early fall. They come in various sizes and flower colors, making them perfect for mixed borders, foundation plantings, or as specimen plants. Hydrangeas prefer partial shade to full sun, depending on the species, and well-drained soil.

Tip: For blue or pink flowers, choose hydrangea species like 'Nikko Blue' or 'Endless Summer'. For white flowers, consider 'Annabelle' or 'Invincibelle Spirit'.

When planting the side of your house, don't forget to consider the view from inside your home. Choose plants that frame windows and complement your interior decor. Additionally, incorporate plants with interesting foliage, textures, and heights to create visual appeal even when they're not in bloom.

Lastly, remember that a well-designed landscape is an ongoing project. As your plants grow and mature, you may need to prune, divide, or replace them to maintain the desired look. Embrace the process, and enjoy the transformation of your home's exterior over time.