Foundation shrubs is a type of plant that is typically planted around the foundation of a house. These plants are usually evergreen and can provide privacy, shade, and decoration for your home. Some common foundation shrubs include boxwoods, azaleas, and holly.
Related plant:
Low Maintenance Foundation Plants
About soil condition, well-drained soil is best and necessary for foundation shrubs. If the site selected for planting is too wet, consider building a raised bed for the shrubs. Wet soil will cause the roots to rot and the plant to die.
Just like other plants, foundation shrubs need sunlight to grow. They will do best in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Foundation shrubs can also tolerate some shade, but they will not grow as well in shady areas. If you are not sure how much sunlight your yard gets, you can ask a gardening expert or check with your local nursery.
The temperature condition is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing foundation shrubs. Most shrubs prefer cool to moderate temperatures and will not tolerate extreme heat or cold. Choose foundation shrubs that are appropriate for your climate and that will thrive in the temperature conditions in your area.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60%, and it will do well in partial shade. The plant does not like to be in direct sunlight for more than four hours a day. Water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch, and fertilize it every two weeks during the growing season.
Regarding fertilizer, this kind of plant does not need a lot. In fact, too much fertilizer will do more harm than good. The best way to provide nutrients to these foundation shrubs is through the roots. This can be done by adding compost or other organic matter to the soil around the base of the plant.
Pruning your foundation shrubs is an important part of keeping them healthy and looking their best. It is best to prune in the late fall or early winter when the plants are dormant. You will want to remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Cut back any overgrown branches to rejuvenate the plant and promote new growth.
Propagation is the process of creating new plants from a given plant. It is a technique that can be used to increase the number of plants rapidly, and it can also be used to create copies of a plant that is true to its parent. There are many different ways to propagate plants, but the most common method is by taking cuttings. Cuttings are pieces of a plant that are cut off and then planted. They can be taken from stems, leaves, or even roots.
Usually, the plant growth rate is relatively slow. The average growth rate for foundation shrubs is about 6 to 12 inches per year. Some foundation shrubs grow faster than others. Fast-growing foundation shrubs include: burning bush (Euonymus alatus), dogwood (Cornus florida), forsythia (Forsythia suspensa), and privet (Ligustrum).
Common problems for this kind of plant are overgrown, leggy, and pests. When pruning, be sure to cut back to a healthy bud, and never cut more than one-third of the shrub. This will help to keep the shrub from getting too leggy. Be sure to check for pests, and if you find any, treat them accordingly.
Source:
Shrubs | NC State Extension - North Carolina State University
Selecting Landscape Plants: Deciduous Shrubs | MU Extension
Trees, Shrubs, Palms, and Cycads - University of Florida
