Landscaping With Low to the Ground Shrubs: A Beautiful and Easy Care Option

Landscaping with plants that hug the ground, rather than tower overhead, offers many advantages for today’s busy homeowners. Low to the ground shrubs, also called groundcover shrubs, are an ideal choice to simplify yard care while achieving a polished, welcoming look.

Benefits of Low Growing Shrubs

Compared to large shrubs and trees, groundcover shrubs offer quite a few benefits:

• Lower Maintenance: Less trimming and pruning is required since these plants stay under 2-3 feet tall. Their compact shape also controls weeds.

• Versatility Low shrubs thrive in sun or shade, on slopes, and under trees They work for all yard sizes from small urban lots to larger properties

• Curb Appeal Flowing lines andmasses of foliage and flowers enhance aesthetics near foundations walkways, and garden beds.

• Privacy: Dense branches double as living screens to mask unattractive views.

• Erosion Control: Groundcover shrubs excel at holding soil on banks or hills with their fibrous roots.

• Year-Round Interest: Many varieties offer multi-season appeal with cool evergreen foliage, spring blooms, vivid fall color, and winter berries.

Choosing the Right Low Growing Shrubs

Homeowners are often surprised by the wide selection of groundcover shrubs available from local nurseries and garden centers. There are low growing shrubs perfectly suited to nearly any location in zones 4-9.

Consider the following when selecting plants:

• Site Conditions: Note sunlight, soil type, and moisture. Match plants to the environment.

• Mature Size: Check expected height and spread. Leave ample room for growth.

• Growth Habit: Low mounding types like azaleas blend nicely along homes while low trailers like juniper gracefully sweep over slopes.

• Functional Needs: Opt for evergreen shrubs for year-round privacy or color. Choose compact deutzia or spirea for spring blooms.

Top Performing Low to the Ground Shrubs

Here are some can’t miss recommendations for outstanding groundcover shrubs for a range of landscape situations:

Soft Caress Mahonia

This airy plant has bamboo-like foliage and bright yellow flowers at the top of the plant that bloom in early winter. Reaching just 2-3 feet high and wide, it thrives in part sun to shade. The Soft Caress Mahonia is perfect for planting under trees or mingling with perennials and ferns. It holds up well to deer and rabbit browse.

Dwarf Hydrangea

For showy summer color, you can’t beat hardy dwarf hydrangea shrubs. Varieties like Little LimeTM and Little Quick Fire® reach just 3 feet tall but produce full size mophead blooms in colors from pure white to rich pink or blue. Plant them in groups along the home. Prune stems back by 1/3 each spring to control size and promote flowering.

Multi-Blooming Azaleas

Azaleas are prized for profuse spring floral displays, and new reblooming varieties extend the show with summer and fall blooms too. Low growing evergreen azaleas like Blooms-A-Lot Pink® and Autumn DebutanteTM reach just 2 feet tall. For part shade areas with rich acidic soil, azaleas are an unbeatable choice.

Dwarf Spirea

Easy care, cold hardy dwarf spirea delivers colorful spring blooms and vibrant foliage. It’s available in varieties like Double Play® Candy Corn® with red new leaves that turn yellow. For sunny spots with average soil, plant 18-24 inches apart for a dense carpet of leaves just 1 foot tall. Cut back any leggy stems after flowering.

Drift® Roses

No list of top low shrubs would be complete without mentioning Drift® roses. This breakthrough series offers maitenance-free roses under 3 feet tall that bloom non-stop from spring until frost. Their disease resistance and winter hardiness are unmatched. Plant en masse for maximum color impact. Popular varieties include Drift® Pink, Drift® Red, and Drift® Sweet.

Designing With Low to the Ground Shrubs

When incorporated thoughtfully, low growing shrubs bring polish and purpose. Here are some ideas:

• Mass plants together for large swaths of color and texture near entries, patios, or yards.

• Use tidy dwarf shrubs like azaleas or spirea to frame focal points like fountains or yard art.

• Edge walkways or encircle specimen trees with a flowing carpet of groundcover foliage and blooms.

• Install along foundations or property lines to define spaces with proportion and grace.

• Allow trailing stems to artfully sweep down banks or stone walls to soften lines.

Caring for Groundcover Shrubs

The main care tip for low growing shrubs is to avoid excessive shearing. Light pruning of leggy branches is fine but resist shaping plants into rigid balls or boxes. Allow a natural flowing form. Also:

• Mulch beds yearly with 2-3 inches of organic matter to conserve moisture.

• Water during dry spells until plants are established.

• Apply slow release shrub fertilizer each spring.

• Check shrubs for pests like scale insects and treat promptly if found.

Achieving Landscape Goals with Low to the Ground Shrubs

Do you crave a simpler, more restful landscape? Seek inspiration from nature’s resilient blanket of low growing woody plants that thrive decade after decade with minimal care. Hardy groundcover shrubs suit today’s busy lifestyles while creating neighborhoods with true curb appeal. With some planning, low shrubs can meet many landscape goals:

• Define property lines or shield unattractive views
• Provide a lush backdrop for perennials and ornamental grasses
• Contribute year-round color and texture instead of mulch
• Prevent erosion on slopes while stabilizing the soil
• Minimize weed growth in garden beds and hardscapes
• Offer beauty and fragrance while attracting pollinators
• Help structure outdoor rooms and pathways
• Soften home architecture with proportion and simplicity

Landscaping with low to the ground shrubs is a smart, simple choice that delivers on the dream of lovely gardens that basically care for themselves.