10 Underused Shrubs

Every nursery has their share of popular plants, but what about the plants that don’t make it into the limelight? There are many attractive plants that simply get overlooked because the same “usual suspects” are routinely used over and over. Granted, people like to stick with what they know, but variety is the spice of life. So, if you are at the nursery and see something that strikes your fancy, ask about it! It may just be that great foundation planting that will change the entire look of your landscape. Read on...

Foundation plantings, those that are at the base of your home’s foundation, are a necessity for almost all landscaping applications. Although no two homes are exactly alike, sadly many of the same evergreen shrubs are planted at their foundations. There are so many plants to choose from and new cultivars are released every year. With a little knowledge you can spice up your yard and differentiate it from your neighbor’s landsacping very easily. This brings me to the main focus of this article: Ten shrubs that are often underused and overlooked in the landscape.

Foundation plantings are usually a starting point for most people; this is where the “usual suspects” come into to play. Many people play it safe and use boxwoods and japanese hollies for this type of application. Granted, these two plants are great choices with hardy cultivars, but they are everywhere! Next time you are out, take note of the homes in your neighborhood and the plants at the base of their foundation. It is a safe bet that at least one of these will come into play. Landscapers often plant these two plants in both the sun and shade. Unfortunately, the vigor of these plants is often compromised due to their exposure (or lack thereof) to the elements.