When people picture a beautiful landscape, they often think about lush lawns, colorful flowers, and eye-catching trees—but foundation shrubs are one of the most important elements of all. These shrubs create the structure, balance, and visual grounding your home needs to look complete. Without foundation plantings, a house can look bare, harsh, or disconnected from its surroundings. With them, your property feels warm, inviting, and professionally designed.
Shrubs installed around the foundation soften architectural lines, add depth and dimension, and provide year-round interest. Whether you're moving into a new home or updating an older landscape, professional shrub installation transforms your curb appeal instantly.
In this blog, we’ll explore why foundation shrubs are essential, the best shrub varieties for Michigan, how to design a balanced foundation layout, and why Driftwood Landscape ensures shrubs thrive for years to come.
Foundation shrubs do much more than fill space—they completely shape how your home looks from the outside.
Homes without shrubs can feel stark and exposed. Foundation shrubs:
Your home instantly feels warmer and more welcoming.
The front of your home is the first thing people see. Foundation shrubs:
This boosts both curb appeal and resale value.
Flowers come and go, but shrubs give your landscape:
Their structure keeps your landscape looking complete no matter the season.
When placed correctly, shrubs help anchor your home visually. They:
A well-designed foundation layout is pleasing to the eye.
Shrubs planted near foundations help:
They are both decorative and functional.
Driftwood Landscape selects shrubs that thrive in Michigan climates and offer long-term beauty.
Classic, elegant, and perfect for structured landscapes.
✔ Evergreen
✔ Clean, compact shape
✔ Excellent for formal designs
A favorite for its large, colorful blooms.
✔ Summer-long flowers
✔ Works beautifully near porches
✔ Adds softness and charm
Provides vertical interest without overwhelming the space.
✔ Evergreen
✔ Narrow, upright growth
✔ Great beside garages or porches
Low-maintenance shrubs with vibrant seasonal color.
✔ Spring blooms
✔ Beautiful fall foliage
✔ Great for front beds
Striking color on both foliage and bark.
✔ Deep red or purple leaves
✔ Rustic texture
✔ Excellent backdrop shrub
Evergreen structure for year-round appeal.
A versatile shrub offering flowers, berries, and fall color.
Brilliant red fall color—excellent as an accent shrub.
Shrub installation isn’t about randomly placing plants—it’s a strategic design process.
The most effective designs use:
This creates depth and dimension.
Balanced plantings on each side of the door help anchor the entrance and guide the eye.
Shrubs must be spaced based on mature size, not their size at planting.
Proper spacing prevents:
Curved foundation beds feel more natural and inviting than straight lines.
Evergreens ensure the landscape never looks empty—even in winter.
A good layout includes shrubs that offer:
Your landscape stays interesting all year long.
Planting shrubs incorrectly can lead to:
Driftwood Landscape ensures:
This results in shrubs that grow stronger, fuller, and more beautiful every year.
Shrubs enhance multiple areas around your home:
Wherever your home meets the landscape, shrubs bring life and dimension.
Consider upgrading if:
Foundation shrubs dramatically improve the overall aesthetic of your home.
Driftwood Landscape installs premium shrubs designed to complement your home and create a polished, cohesive landscape.
