What Plants Should You Plant Up Close to Your House?

Conditions

• The best types of plants to grow near your home are ones which are suited for the growing conditions. Remember that each area of a garden has its own micro-climate. Even if you live in a very desert-like region, cactus will not thrive near shaded eaves or under gutter spouts. Assess the area near your house and determine the type of soil present, the amount of light available to plants and any wind exposure. Alleyways and the corners of homes catch gusts. These conditions create poor growing conditions for most plants but especially those with a high profile and delicate branches such as ornamental shrubs and trees. The University of Missouri’s Gardening Extension program suggests that homeowners discuss the growing conditions around their home with knowledgeable gardening center staff. These individuals will know which plants thrive best in your locality and under the conditions present near your home.

Uses

• Once you have determined the growing conditions around your home, you will have narrowed down your plant choice. The next consideration to make is the purpose the foliage will serve. Perhaps you live in an older house with high foundations which you would like to conceal. In such a scenario low shrubs do a good job of concealing bare stone and concrete. Such a choice is not very good if you live in a modern home with vinyl siding. Moisture collected in dense shrubbery will warp vinyl siding and may cause problems with mold and other moisture-loving growth.

  If you are looking for privacy, then growing large plants near your front windows is not the best solution. Large plants block sunlight and may not complement the design of your home. Instead plant trees with low growth and small leaves at a distance from windows. This will allow light and will break up the view for a curious passerby. Native ornamental grasses are another option.

  Before planting flowers acknowledge the length of their blooming season as this may cause you to reconsider planting flowerbeds. Flowers die back in winter leaving naked spots in your landscape. Some homeowners compensate for the seasonal loss by incorporating colorful ground covers such as creeping speedwell and Scotch moss. Ground covers have an added benefit of absorbing moisture away from a home's basement and foundation as well as preventing soil erosion under downspouts.