10 Best Flowers for the Front of Your House

When it comes to curb appeal the front of your house makes the biggest impression on visitors and passersby. A beautiful display of flowers along the foundation or edging the front walkway shows that you take pride in your home. Flowers for the front of the house also give pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds a place to stop and refuel.

If you’re looking for easy-care flowers that add beauty from spring to fall, these 10 varieties are excellent choices. Best of all, they’ll thrive with minimal care in average garden conditions.

1. Catmint

Catmint (Nepeta) is one of the most low maintenance perennials for foundation plantings. It thrives in full sun and tolerates reflected heat and poor soil, so it’s ideal for growing next to brick and siding. The aromatic, gray-green foliage forms a soft mound that reaches 1-2 feet tall and wide. Light blue flowers cover the plants from late spring to early summer, making catmint irresistible to pollinators. After the first flush of blooms fade, cut back the plants by half to encourage reblooming. Catmint is hardy in zones 3-8.

2. Sedum

Sedums are succulent perennials that require little watering once established. Their thick, fleshy leaves and stems store water. Sedums grow just 6-12 inches tall in mounded shapes that hug the ground. They flourish in full sun and average to dry soil. From late summer into fall, sedums explode with clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Some of the best sedums for foundation plantings include ‘Autumn Joy’, ‘Vera Jameson’ and ‘Angelina’. Hardy in zones 3-9.

3. Dwarf Hydrangea

For lush, leafy color, hydrangeas are hard to beat Panicle hydrangeas like the Little Lime series only reach 3-5 feet tall, making them ideal for planting under windows Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) can also be pruned to a smaller size. Plant them in part sun with moist, well-drained soil. Fertilize in early spring and water during dry spells. The large mophead flowers start white then turn pink or blue. Leaving the faded flowers on the plants provides winter interest. Hardy in zones 5-9.

4. Spirea

With their neat, mounded shape and abundant spring to summer blooms, spirea shrubs add effortless curb appeal. Most grow 2-4 feet tall and wide. Plant spirea in full sun to part shade and average soil. Little Princess spirea opens clusters of pink flowers on new wood from spring through summer. Goldmound spirea has sunny yellow foliage all season and pale pink blooms. Cut flowered stems back by a third after flowering. Hardy in zones 4-9.

5. Lavender

The heavily perfumed spikes of lavender flowers draw your eyes and nose toward the front door. Compact English lavender varieties like Hidcote and Munstead grow 12-18 inches tall and wide in mounded shapes. Plant lavender in full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid wet soil, especially in winter. Trim plants back by a third after the first flush of summer blooms fades to encourage reblooming. Mulch around the plants in winter. Hardy in zones 5-9.

6. Daylily

Daylilies are called the perfect perennial because they’re practically carefree and tolerate almost any growing condition. The rugged plants thrive in full sun to part shade and produce colorful blooms from early summer into fall. Remove spent flower stalks and divide the plants every few years to maximize flowering. Plant clumps of different daylily varieties together to extend the bloom season. Some top choices include ‘Happy Returns’, ‘Stella de Oro’ and ‘Frances Fay’. Hardy in zones 3-9.

7. Russian Sage

Russian sage offers silvery elegance combined with summertime lavender-blue flowers. The aromatic foliage has a delicate, feathery appearance but this perennial is tough as nails. It thrives in hot, dry conditions. Plant Russian sage in full sun and ignore it except to cut it back by half in spring. It grows 3-4 feet tall and wide in vase-shaped clumps. Allow the slender flower wands to stand for winter interest. Hardy in zones 4-9.

8. Sunflowers

For fast color in front of your home, it’s hard to beat sunflowers. Some perennial types, like ‘Italian White’ and ‘Valentine’, grow just 1-3 feet tall. Or grow annual sunflowers like Pro Cut varieties, which produce multiple flower stems perfect for cutting. Plant sunflowers in full sun and average soil enriched with compost or fertilizer. They combine beautifully with catmint, lavender and ornamental grasses.

9. Zinnias

Few old-fashioned annuals are easier to grow than zinnias. The brightly colored daisy-like flowers thrive in full sun and tolerate heat, drought and poor soil. To maximize blooms, deadhead spent flowers and fertilize plants every few weeks. Try bold, hot hues like red, orange or magenta near a white or neutral colored home. Lower growing zinnias, such as Zahara and Zinnita series, work nicely along a foundation or front walkway.

10. Marigolds

Marigolds pump up the color along walkways, in containers and edging garden beds. The inexpensive annuals are available in hues from creamy white to bold yellow, orange and red. Marigolds are unfazed by hot sun and they rarely succumb to pests or disease. For nonstop color, choose single and double varieties that bloom profusely like Durango and Disco series. Plant marigolds in full sun and average to dry soil. Deadhead flowers to prolong blooming.

With a palette of easy-care flowers like these, you can create stunning displays in your front yard garden beds, containers, and window boxes. Visit your local garden center to find top-performing varieties best suited to your growing conditions. With the right plant choices, you can enjoy beautiful curb appeal for months on end!