Like a frame around a picture, a great foundation planting can set off a house, drawing attention to all the right spots and saying, “Welcome!” to you and your visitors. This mix of perennials, grasses, shrubs and a small tree is a great start to keeping a foundation garden looking good all season. And they’re all easy-care, so you can relax and enjoy the garden instead of spending all your time tending it.
Foliage is your friend
Everyone loves flowers, but they just don’t last. Foliage can take a garden from spring to fall without a break. Here, burgundy-leafed ninebark, sedum and coral bells add color all summer. And repeating that burgundy theme keeps the whole garden looking unified. In fall, the ornamental pear and the sweetspire bushes kick in some glowing red. But it’s not just about foliage — the ninebark, sweetspire and pear have beautiful spring flowers, too. And the roses and daisies bloom for most of the summer.
Keep it easy with low-maintenance plants
A pretty garden is great. A pretty garden that’s easy to take care of is practically perfect! All of these plants have neat, compact shapes or very upright growth habits, so they won’t overwhelm the entryway or stick out into the path. They don’t need much maintenance either, other than cutting back the perennials in late fall or early spring. And you can keep the ninebark at a nice, manageable size by cutting it back hard, to about 3 feet tall, after it blooms. Stone edging makes it easy to trim the edge of the lawn.
