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best shrubs to plant in front of house

Choosing the best shrubs to plant in front of house can transform your home's exterior, adding year-round colour, structure, and curb appeal. Whether you want a mix of evergreen foliage, seasonal flowers, or low-maintenance varieties, the right shrubs provide a welcoming first impression and help showcase your garden’s style. From classic flowering options to modern foliage plants, here’s how to select and care for shrubs that thrive around New Zealand homes.

Buxus harlandii shrub with dense, green foliage.

Buxus harlandii

Buxus harlandii grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide with charming, bright green leaves. Best results with this evergreen shrub are achieved when it is planted in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
rhipsalis-cereuscula-3

Rhipsalis cereuscula (Coral Cactus)

Commonly known as the Coral Cactus, this is a succulent grown for its slender and interesting stems. Masses of the dark green, thread-like stems are borne as a somewhat dense mini-shrub. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and the same wide, and performs best when positioned in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site that is frost free.

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Tolerances: Extended dry periods
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern
murraya-paniculata-4
Murraya paniculata (Orange Jessamine)

Murraya paniculata, commonly known as Orange Jessamine, this is an attractive, medium-sized shrub grown for its foliage and flowers. It grows...

From$26.15
Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$33.05
Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...

From$16.95
ozothamnus-springtime-white--2
Ozothamnus Springtime White (Rice Flower)

“Springtime White” is a shrub grown for its prolific flowering and drought tolerance. Clusters of white flowers with a paper-like appearance are...

From$30.29
An elegant Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' white flower.
Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' is a stunning evergreen shrub known for its exceptionally large, fragrant white blooms and glossy green foliage. Flowering...

From$18.95
Coprosma robusta (Karamu) shrub growing as a specimen in a garden.
Coprosma robusta (Karamu)

Coprosma robusta, commonly known as Karamu, is a versatile New Zealand native shrub or small tree reaching up to 6 metres in height. It features...

From$7.50
An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.
Rose White Romance

“White Romance” is a very popular shrub rose that features masses pure white flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$38.57
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
rose-raspberry-ice-5
Rose Raspberry Ice

“Raspberry Ice” is a Floribunda shrub rose that features large and showy flowers that are cream with a raspberry coloured margin. The lightly...

From$44.09
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
A Spearmint plant with lush, green leaves.
Mint Plant

Mint Plant (Spearmint) is a popular herb grown for its fresh fragrant leaves and versatile use in cooking drinks and home remedies. Well suited to...

From$16.49
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
A large Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) in a garden with lush, green leaves.
Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese or Fruit Salad Plant, is a popular indoor tropical plant loved for its striking, holey leaves and...

From$44.09
rose-violet-serenity-
Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity

“Violet Serenity” is a magnificent small, shrub rose owing to its colourful display of bright pink flowers. The showy blooms are borne as clusters...

From$35.81
strelitzia-nicolai-
Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$44.09
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$14.95
Orange 'Best Seedless' orange fruit with orange flesh.
Orange 'Best Seedless'

The ‘Best Seedless’ Orange is a superb variety prized for its deliciously sweet, seedless fruit and easy-to-peel skin. Perfect for New Zealand...

From$34.95
Moss pole for plants.
Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.90
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
pb-18-planter-bags-
PB18 Planter Bags (Grow Plant Bags)

These PB18 planter bags are 125 microns thick and each bag holds 10 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$77.47
pb-12-planter-bags-
PB12 Planter Bags (Grow Bags For Plants)

These PB12 planter bags are 125 microns thick and hold 6.75 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$57.76
tree-and-shrub-fertiliser-
Tree Fertiliser (Tree Fertiliser)

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$13.40
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PB8 Planter Bags (Potting Bags For Plants)

These PB8 planter bags are 125 microns thick and hold 4.5 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for handling...

From$51.69
70-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
indoor-plant-fertiliser-tablets-1
Indoor Plant Fertiliser Tablets

Indoor plants require feeding from the time you get them home as nurseries typically only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last 4-8 weeks after...

From$36.00
pb-three-quarter-planter-bags-
PB¾ Planter Bags (Planting Bags)

The PB ¾ Planter Bags are 80 microns thick and ags hold 0.5 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$15.47
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$8.64
indoor-plant-fertiliser-
Indoor Plant Fertiliser

All potted plants require indoor plant fertiliser. This is particularly important as many nurseries only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last...

From$13.40
pb-2-planter-bags-
PB2 Planter Bags (Plastic Plant Bags)

These PB2 planter bags are 80 microns thick and hold 1.2 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for handling...

From$20.54
Buxus harlandii

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Cistus, and Coprosma, or related Categories - Indoor Plants, Bush Roses, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search best shrubs to plant in front of house

Why Front Garden Shrubs Matter

The front of your house is your home's greeting card, and selecting the best shrubs to plant in front of house creates a welcoming environment. Well-chosen shrubs can soften architectural lines, provide privacy, and add seasonal interest with flowers or foliage. Shrubs around entryways, pathways, or beneath windows help define garden borders and offer a lush backdrop for perennials and annuals.

Top Shrub Choices for Curb Appeal

When picking the best shrubs to plant in front of house, consider both aesthetics and maintenance. Evergreen shrubs keep your entrance looking neat throughout the year, while flowering varieties add bursts of colour. One standout option is the Pieris Pink Delight (Lily Of The Valley Shrub Pieris japonica), valued for its charming pink blooms in early spring and attractive evergreen leaves. It’s an excellent choice for adding colour near your porch or along the garden edge.

If you're looking for a fragrant and colourful shrub, the Brunfelsia pauciflora Scent sational (Yesterday Today Tomorrow Plant) is perfect for front gardens. Its ever-changing purple, lavender, and white blooms are a conversation starter and provide months of interest. Another fantastic option is Prostanthera Eddington Blue (Mint Bush Plant), which features aromatic foliage and masses of violet-blue flowers, ideal for bringing both beauty and fragrance right to your entryway.

Easy-Care Shrubs for Modern Homes

If your focus is on low-maintenance landscaping, choose shrubs that won’t demand constant pruning or special care. While not technically shrubs, some indoor plants can adapt well to sheltered outdoor spots. The Sansevieria Hahnii (Bird's Nest Snake Plant) offers striking upright form and architectural foliage, perfect for pots by the front door or shaded corners. Likewise, Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant) adds vibrant striping to patio containers and is nearly indestructible.

Tips for Planting Shrubs in Front of Your House

For the best results, choose a selection of complementary varieties in different heights, colours, and textures. Plan your planting with the mature size of each shrub in mind to avoid crowding. Use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, and feed regularly with a balanced fertiliser to keep growth lush and healthy. By selecting the best shrubs to plant in front of house, you’ll enjoy attractive greenery and blooms at your doorstep for years to come.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

We love Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood) and Schefflera arboricola as much as anyone, but part of the fun is discovering Fagus sylvatica, Leptospermum 'Nanum Ruru', and Strawberry 'Camarosa'.
–The Plant Company

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