15 Plants for Curb Appeal

1. the attractiveness of a property for sale and its surroundings when viewed from the street.

   “landscaping, the front entrance, and the condition of the paint or siding are the biggest factors in curb appeal”

Make a great first impression with a beautifully landscaped entrance that will be the envy of the neighborhood.  According to a study done by the US Forest Service, great landscaping can increase your home’s value by 8-15%.  In landscaping, as with many things in life, first impressions are key.  That’s why it is important to create eye-catching curb appeal using a combination of plants with plenty of seasonal interest.  Here are a few of our favorite low maintenance but high impact plants for creating curb appeal:

Trees

Every great landscape needs a focal point.  Selecting a specimen tree that will stand out in multiple seasons is a great place to start.

Oklahoma Redbud

Very handsome rosy-magenta blooms of small sweet pea-shaped blooms cover the stems of this tree before the leaves emerge in spring.

• 15 – 25’ Tall
• Sun – part sun
• Drought tolerant
• Great for woodland or naturalized settings.

Greensleeves Dogwood

This rapid growing Korean Dogwood has dark green leaves which turn an excellent red color in fall. Heavy flowering in late Spring to Summer leads to heavy fruiting in the fall. Wildlife like birds and deer love the fruit.

• 30’ Tall
• Sun to Partial Shade
• White blooms in the summer

Inaba Shidare Japanese Maple

An upright growing Japanese Maple with cascading branches that holds it’s deep red to purple foliage color all season.

• Vibrant red fall foliage
• Slow growing to 15′ T x 20′ W
• Part shade to full sun

First Lady Cherry

This is a beautiful fast-growing cherry with an upright columnar shape. Has dark green foliage and in early spring has dark rose-pink flowers.

• 20 – 25’ Tall by 12 – 15’ wide
• Full Sun
• Well drained soil

Arnold’s Pride Fringetree

A beautiful compact-growing deciduous tree that is showy in multiple seasons.  Whispy white flower bloom in mid-Spring at the tips of new growth.  Arnold’s Pride has elegant, cinnamon-colored bark that exfoliates in the winter.

• 15-20′ T x 15′ wide
• Full Sun to Part Shade
• Blooms in Spring

Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs planted around the foundation of the home are an essential part of creating lasting curb appeal.

Raulston Hardy Viburnum

An excellent low growing, evergreen landscape plant that can be used as a foundation planting instead of dwarf boxwoods or Japanese hollies or clipped into a formal, low hedge.  Introduced by the JC Raulston Arboretum for its tight, dwarf habit and hardiness. This viburnum a fine texture and small, narrow leaves on a very tight bun-shaped plant. The plant covers itself in clusters of white flowers in April but will often begin flowering in fall and continue sporadically until spring. 

• 3-4′ T x 4-5′ W
• Full Sun to Part Sun
• Evergreen
• Blooms in Spring and sporadically through Fall

Vintage Gold Cypress

This golden beauty is a great choice for your fall or winter containers. A slow growing compact habit and easy to care for evergreen.

• Great for containers
• Full sun – part sun
• Evergreen
• Golden color year round

Crimson Fire Loropetalum

A compact growing evergreen shrub with deep ruby-red foliage that persists throughout the year.  Bright pink fringe-like flowers emerge in the spring and sporadically through the fall.

• 4′ T x 4-5′ W
• Full to part sun
• Evergreen
• Blooms in spring

Vintage Jade Distyllium

Distyliums are members of the witchhazel family, blooming bright red in late winter. They provide superior adaptability in various soild and light conditions. Use as a substitute for cherry laurels, junipers or hollies.

• 2-3’ H x 5-6’ W
• Full sun to part sun
• Drought tolerant
• Wet soil tolerant

Camellias

Evergreen, easy to grow plants with rich, glossy green foliage and flowers in fall, spring or late winter.  Camellias can be confusing to differentiate due to the availability of several different species and thousands of different cultivars.  The most common forms found are Camellia japonica (Japanese camellia), Camellia sasanqua (Sasanqua camellia), Camellia sinensis (Tea Camellia), and hybrids of these species.  The flowering period of these species occurs in the fall and winter months from October through winter and sometimes lasting into April.  Read more about Camellias…

Perennials

Soften the hard edges of walkways by incorporating perennials.  Mix the color, texture and bloom times with the trees and shrubs planted in the landscape.

Creeping Phlox

An early spring bloomer with star shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue & white.  The evergreen foliage is deer resistant and an excellent groundcover for sunny banks, slopes & along walkways.  Phlox is low maintenance and tolerant of drought and coastal conditions.

Coral Bells

A spectacular evergreen perennial with foliage in shades of purple, greens and orange.  Great in spring,  summer  and fall combinations.  Bears bell-shaped flowers that are held high above the foliage in spring.

• Evergreen mounds 1’ – 2’ H
• Shade – morning sun
• Spectacular foliage
• Attracts hummingbirds

Candy Tuft (Iberis)

• Beautiful cascading over stones or planted at gardens edge. Bright, lacy white flowers atop deep green mounds of evergreen foliage.
•  7 – 9” tall
• Full sun – part sun
• Blooms late spring into early summer

Scabiosa

Continuous blooming flowers that come in a variety of pink, purple or blue hues. Excellent used as cut flowers. Attractive planted in masses and also great for rock gardens.

• 12” – 15”
• Full sun
• Butterfly attracting
• Deer resistant

Liriope

‘Big Blue’ is a clump forming variety of liriope with lush dark green foliage with lilac flowers. Excellent ground cover or edging.  ‘Variegata’ is also a great choice for a carefree showy border with attractive cream and green striped foliage.

• 12 – 15” Tall
• Sun – shade
• Blooms late summer
• Cut back late winter

Remember, these are just a few of our favorite plants for creating interesting curb appeal.  There are many more selections available and it’s always a great idea to mix in seasonally flowering annuals, bulbs or container gardens.  Give us a call or stop by and we’ll help you create curb appeal that will be the envy of your neighbors.