What kind of shrubs would you put in front of your house…
Agnes Asked
What kind of shrubs would you put in front of your house to replace boxwood shrubs?
The Gardener’s Answer
There are many alternatives to boxwoods, but before choosing a replacement, it is good to know the site conditions—especially if the boxwoods were not happy.
How many hours of sunlight does that space receive? And what are the soil conditions? Each plant has specific requirements in terms of growing environments, and finding the right plant for your space is key to a healthy, long-lived garden.
If you have not had your soil tested recently, you can contact your county cooperative extension offices for instructions. Assuming that you want evergreens and they will be growing in part sun, there are some azaleas that would provide winter interest. Aucuba japonica and pieris japonica are also good options. Nandina, inkberry (Ilex glabra), yew (taxus baccata), Japanese plum yew (cephalotaxus), and cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) could all work as well.
