17 Low Growing Shrubs For Bushes In Front Of House

When I first started planning the landscaping for the front of my home, I quickly realized how overwhelming it can be to choose the right bushes in front of house.

I wanted something beautiful, shrubs that wouldn’t overtake the entryway or become unruly with time. The vision was simple: add bushes to the front of the house that stay low and highlight the architecture rather than hide it.

But most of the recommendations I came across either got too tall, spread too wide, or had invasive tendencies. And in my small garden space by the front door, less than 10 feet tall and just under 5 feet wide, I couldn’t afford to guess wrong.

With sandy soil and a mix of full sun and part shade, I needed something hardy and cooperative. At first, I thought spicebush or arrowwood viburnum might work, but I hesitated, were they too vigorous?

I already had red osier dogwood and summersweet out front, so I needed something different. I looked into ninebark, but mine had already hit 5 feet wide in just its second year! I didn’t want to spend all summer pruning just to keep things in check.

Others mentioned options like black chokeberry and even hypericum prolificum for their pollinator appeal and controlled growth, but I needed more than a list. I needed a vision.

That’s when it clicked. For low growing bushes in front of house, you don’t just need the right shrubs, you need the right plan. Compact shrubs like Haas Halo hydrangea (around 6 feet tall), hypericum prolificum (under 3 feet and bee-friendly), or even salix humilis for soft texture make excellent candidates.

Layering smaller evergreens like globe arborvitae or boxwood near the foundation helps create structure without overtaking the space. Add some perennials like coneflowers and phlox in front, and suddenly, the space feels not crowded.

And here’s the key: leave at least two feet between the plants and the house. It prevents moisture issues and makes future maintenance (like painting or cleaning) a breeze. Now, not only do I have well-behaved, beautiful bushes in front of house, but a design that actually works for me.

17. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

Height: 1–3 ft
USDA Zones: 5–9

Boxwoods are classic, evergreen shrubs known for their dense, compact foliage. Perfect for formal borders or low hedges, they respond well to shaping.

Care Tips:

• Prefers full sun to partial shade
• Prune lightly in early spring
• Excellent for topiary or foundation planting

16. Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’)

Height: 1–2 ft
USDA Zones: 4–9

This spreading evergreen shrub has striking blue-green foliage and a low, mounding habit ideal for front yard edges.

Care Tips:

• Needs full sun
• Thrives in poor, well-drained soil
• Drought-tolerant once established

15. Spirea ‘Little Princess’ (Spiraea japonica)

Height: 1.5–2.5 ft
USDA Zones: 4–8

This deciduous shrub blooms in late spring with soft pink flowers, adding seasonal color and attracting pollinators, perfect for bushes in front of house that support local wildlife.

Care Tips:

• Prune after flowering to encourage new blooms
• Full sun enhances flowering
• Tolerates urban pollution

14. Dwarf Yew (Taxus spp.)

Height: 2–3 ft
USDA Zones: 4–7

Yews are slow-growing evergreens with dark green needles. Ideal for shaded or north-facing entryways.

Care Tips:

• Tolerates heavy pruning
• Prefers moist, well-drained soil
• Deer-resistant options available

13. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Height: 1–2 ft
USDA Zones: 5–9

Fragrant and colorful, lavender shrubs provide both visual appeal and aroma, ideal bushes in front of house for adding charm along walkways or beneath windows.

Care Tips:

• Full sun and excellent drainage
• Prune annually after bloom
• Attracts bees and butterflies

12. Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii)

Height: 2–3 ft
USDA Zones: 4–8

Compact and native to the southeastern U.S., this shrub offers bottlebrush-like white flowers and brilliant fall color, making it a standout choice for bushes in front of house.

Care Tips:

• Prefers acidic, moist soil
• Grows in full sun to partial shade
• Little pruning required

11. Hydrangea ‘Bobo’ (Hydrangea paniculata)

Height: 2.5–3 ft
USDA Zones: 3–8

This compact panicle hydrangea explodes with large white blooms that gradually turn pink.

Care Tips:

• Blooms on new wood, prune in late winter
• Requires moderate water
• Ideal for foundation planting

10. Dwarf Nandina (Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’)

Height: 1–2 ft
USDA Zones: 6–10

A colorful evergreen with changing foliage hues, green in summer, red in fall and winter.

Care Tips:

• Tolerates sun and partial shade
• Low maintenance
• Excellent for mixed shrub borders

9. Dwarf Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’)

Height: 2–4 ft
USDA Zones: 3–7

Highly fragrant with clusters of pale purple blooms in spring. Compact and slow-growing.

Care Tips:

• Best in full sun
• Prune immediately after flowering
• Requires good air circulation

8. Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Height: 1–2 ft
USDA Zones: 4–6

Evergreen and flowering, Heather adds unique texture and long-lasting blooms to any low border.

Care Tips:

• Needs acidic soil and full sun
• Avoid overly wet conditions
• Prune annually to maintain form

7. Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)

Height: 2–4 ft
USDA Zones: 3–8

This pyramidal evergreen provides symmetry and a formal look, perfect for flanking doorways.

Care Tips:

• Requires full sun
• Protect from strong wind
• Avoid heavy pruning

6. Rock Rose (Cistus spp.)

Height: 1–2.5 ft
USDA Zones: 8–10

Tolerant of dry conditions, this Mediterranean native offers colorful blooms and a mounded form, an excellent choice for bushes in front of house.

Care Tips:

• Ideal for sandy, poor soils
• Full sun
• Minimal watering required

5. Blue Star Juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’)

Height: 1–2 ft
USDA Zones: 4–8

Compact evergreen with silvery-blue needles and a dense, mounded growth habit, perfect for adding texture and year-round interest to bushes in front of house.

Care Tips:

• Needs full sun
• Low water needs
• No pruning necessary

4. Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

Height: 1–2 ft
USDA Zones: 6–9

Low-growing varieties provide early spring color and glossy evergreen leaves, making them ideal bushes in front of house for year-round curb appeal.

Care Tips:

• Acidic soil and partial shade
• Mulch to conserve moisture
• Remove spent blooms for better flowering

3. Golden Mop False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’)

Height: 2–3 ft
USDA Zones: 4–8

Vivid gold, threadlike foliage makes this conifer a standout choice for bushes in front of house, adding year-round texture and brightness.

Care Tips:

• Full sun preferred
• Avoid wet roots
• Slow-growing, no pruning needed

2. Little Lime Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’)

Height: 3–5 ft (can be pruned smaller)
USDA Zones: 3–9

Smaller than the original ‘Limelight,’ it offers long-lasting lime to pink blooms, perfect for bushes in front of house that need vibrant seasonal color.

Care Tips:

• Prune in early spring
• Grows in full sun to part shade
• Great cut flowers

1. Snowmound Spirea (Spiraea nipponica ‘Snowmound’)

Height: 2–4 ft
USDA Zones: 4–8

Cascading white blooms cover this compact deciduous shrub in early spring, making it a stunning choice for bushes in front of house.

Care Tips:

• Prune lightly after flowering
• Full sun for best bloom
• Attracts pollinators

Conclusion

These 17 low-growing shrubs deliver lasting beauty, curb appeal, and easy maintenance to front yard landscapes. Thoughtful placement and care will ensure your home’s entrance is always attractive and welcoming.