What Tall Plants Can Be Planted Near a Foundation?

Silver Comet Pampas Grass

• Silver comet pampas grass is a good choice for the transitional foundation. This part of the foundation is between the corner of the building or home and the walkway or entrance. Generally, plantings in this area should be low in height, according to Karen Russ and Bob Polomski of Clemson University Cooperative Extension.

  Some foundations do need more coverage by taller plants, though, for example to mask an unsightly foundation. Silver comet pampas grass will not damage the foundation with its roots, in spite of reaching heights between 4 and 6 feet. This perennial plant flowers in August, providing color even during the winter months.

  Silver comet pampas grass thrives in full sun. This warm-season evergreen allows for some privacy without being so tall that it will obstruct window views. It should be planted in USDA hardiness zones 7b through 10.

American Arborvitae

• Corner foundation plants have two jobs, according to Dr. Susan Smith of Clemson University Cooperative Extension: they should provide privacy screening of side yards and tie the building to its surrounding community.

  The American arborvitae meets both criteria, boasting the ability to grow from 2 to 30 feet in height and offering a diverse range of types, sizes and colors that could blend in any neighborhood.

  The American arborvitae is an evergreen, providing year-round complementary coverage for a foundation. It can survive in a range of different soil and light conditions as well, growing successfully in planting zones 2 through 8, according to The Ohio State University.

Daylilies

• Daylily varieties offer three types of green foliage that can add to their attraction for entrance foundation plantings: evergreen, semi-evergreen and dormant--meaning that foliage dies in winter and is replaced with new foliage in the spring. These flowers fall into the tall category for entrance foundation planting, reaching a height of almost 1 foot tall. You can use taller daylilies for other places in the foundation.

  Daylilies can grow in diverse soil and light conditions and offer a variety of colors and sizes to choose from. And while daylilies can grow year-round in Florida, they are also able to grow anywhere, according to the University of Wisconsin's Allen Centennial Gardens.