I’m wanting to add some new, fun bushes to my front yard to mix things up a bit while keeping things easy to care for. I already have boxwoods, peonies, and limelight hydrangeas—and I absolutely love all three. They give me that perfect mix of structure, softness, and seasonal color without requiring a ton of work.
So now, I’m on the hunt for a few more low-maintenance shrubs that bring beauty, maybe a little extra color or texture, and still keep that polished, classic curb appeal vibe. I wanted to share some of my favorites with you.
Keiko™ (Adored) Itoh Peony
The Keiko™ (Adored) Itoh Peony is a breathtaking hybrid that combines the best qualities of tree and herbaceous peonies.
Its large, semi-double blooms feature soft pink petals with a hint of coral and golden centers, creating a romantic and elegant look in the garden. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this peony is known for its long-lasting flowers and sturdy stems that don’t require staking.
I have loved these peonies. They are easy to care for and are a beautiful bush the rest of the summer. I even cut them and bring them inside.
Zones: 4-9
Care: Full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Why it’s great: relatively low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and makes an excellent cut flower.
Winter Gem Boxwood
I went with this option because I needed a more more cold-hardy boxwood. They are great for northern climates, I am in Utah. They do stay green all year and grows slowly. Once a year I shape them. I am hoping to turn them into a hedge at some point.
Zones: 5–9
Care: Sun or part shade, mulch to protect roots, prune once or twice a year.
Why it’s great: Cold
Hydrangea ‘Limelight’
Since I live it Utah, it is so hot in the summer. But I really wanted some hydrangeas. This variety of hydrangea is more tolerant of sun and less fussy than others. It bursts into blooms in late summer and requires only minimal pruning in early spring.
Pro Tip: leave the dead blooms on all winter, this helps protect the new blooms. I trim the dead blooms off mid spring. Also, water the leaves and blooms too.
Zones: 3–9
Care: Sun to part shade, water during dry spells, prune in late winter.
Why it’s great: Huge, showy blooms that shift color with the seasons.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
This conical evergreen shrub adds a formal touch to any front yard. It's slow-growing and drought-tolerant once established—perfect for symmetry near an entryway.
Zones: 3–8
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil, minimal pruning.
Why it’s great: Compact, slow-growing, and perfect for entryways.
Spirea (Spiraea japonica)
Spirea is a deciduous shrub that produces fluffy clusters of flowers in spring or summer. It’s low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and tolerates a range of soil types.
Zones: 4–9
Care: Full sun, deadhead for extra blooms, cut back late winter.
Why it’s great: Compact, colorful, and totally carefree.
Juniper (Juniperus)
A versatile evergreen that comes in upright and spreading varieties. Junipers are drought-tolerant, need little pruning, and thrive in full sun.
Zones: 3–9 (varies by type)
Care: Full sun, drought-tolerant, little to no pruning.
Why it’s great: Evergreen with options for upright or ground cover types.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
This sun-loving bush attracts pollinators and produces fragrant, colorful blooms. It's drought-tolerant and only needs to be cut back in late winter to keep it neat.
Zones: 5–9 (some varieties hardy to zone 4)
Care: Full sun, prune to ground in spring, low water needs.
Why it’s great: Pollinator magnet that blooms all summer.
Barberry (Berberis)
Known for its deep red or golden foliage, barberry adds color year-round. It’s pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and requires almost no attention.
Zones: 4–8
Care: Full sun, drought-tolerant, prune in spring.
Why it’s great: Colorful foliage, pest-resistant, super low-maintenance.
Weigela
With trumpet-shaped blooms in spring and sometimes again in late summer, weigela offers color and structure. It's carefree and can be pruned to shape after blooming.
Zones: 4–8
Care: Full sun, water moderately, prune after flowering.
Why it’s great: Easy-growing shrub with trumpet blooms loved by hummingbirds.
Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra)
A great alternative to boxwood, inkberry is an evergreen with glossy leaves and small black berries. It’s disease-resistant and adapts well to trimming.
Zones: 5–9
Care: Moist, acidic soil; full sun to partial shade; prune in early spring.
Why it’s great: Evergreen native alternative to boxwood.
Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
Nandina brings a pop of red foliage in cooler months and tiny white flowers in spring. It’s low-maintenance, but make sure to choose sterile varieties to prevent invasive spreading.
Zones: 6–9
Care: Sun to part shade, drought-tolerant, prune in late winter.
Why it’s great: Year-round interest with changing foliage and berries.
💡 Use non-invasive varieties like 'Gulf Stream' or 'Firepower'.
Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’
A colorful evergreen with variegated foliage that shifts in color through the seasons. It blooms from spring to fall and doesn’t require frequent trimming.
Zones: 6–9
Care: Full sun to part shade, drought-tolerant, prune in late winter.
Why it’s great: Bright foliage and flowers for months with barely any upkeep. Hardy evergreen with dense form and year-round structure.
Lilac ‘Bloomerang’
A reblooming dwarf lilac that offers the sweet scent of spring with a second flush of flowers later in the season. It’s compact, easy to care for, and not prone to disease.
Zones: 3–7
Care: Full sun, prune after spring bloom, water in dry spells.
Why it’s great: Reblooms in late summer and smells amazing.
White Album® Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
The White Album® Wintercreeper is a hardy, low-maintenance evergreen groundcover known for its striking variegated foliage. With crisp green leaves edged in white, this compact shrub adds year-round interest to gardens and landscapes. It spreads slowly and can be used as a groundcover, low hedge, or even trained to climb if supported
Zones: 5–9
Care: Sun or part shade, adaptable to various soil types as long as drainage is good.
Why it’s great: It's also drought-tolerant once established and resists deer and urban pollution, making it a tough, versatile choice for front yard landscaping.
Autumn Ivory® Reblooming Dwarf Azalea Shrub with White Flowers
The Autumn Ivory® Azalea is a compact, reblooming shrub that delights with pure white blossoms throughout the growing season. Its dwarf size makes it ideal for smaller spaces or container gardening, while its glossy green foliage stays attractive year-round. This low-maintenance plant is a showstopper when used in borders, beds, or as part of a pollinator-friendly garden.
Zones: 6-10
Care: partial sun to filtered light and does best in acidic, well-drained soil.
Why it’s great: an ideal choice for adding elegance and color to front yard plantings.
Low Scape Mound® (Aronia) Live Shrub with White Flowers
Low Scape Mound® Aronia is a compact, native shrub that delivers beauty and seasonal interest. In spring, it bursts into bloom with clusters of delicate white flowers, followed by glossy green leaves and vibrant fall colors. Its tidy, mounded shape makes it great for foundation plantings, edging, or mass plantings in both urban and natural landscapes.
Zones: 3–9
Care: full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils—including wet or dry conditions—making it ideal for tough spots.
Why it’s great: is perfect for borders, mass plantings, or erosion control with four-season beauty.landscaping.
Tips for Success:
- Mulch around your bushes to retain moisture and prevent weeds. I get our mulch from the dump.
- Choose the right plant for your zone—most nurseries label them accordingly.
- Don’t overwater—most low-maintenance shrubs prefer slightly dry conditions once established.
With the right selection of bushes, you can enjoy a front yard that looks polished and inviting year-round—without spending your weekends on yard duty.
Happy Planting
Brooke
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