Don't: Plant shrubs too close to the house. Is this shrub too close? (Yes.) Avoid laying mulch and planting shrubs too close to your home – not just because plants will come into contact with and damage the siding, but because shrubs retain moisture.
To protect your foundation, and to give shrubs an opportunity to grow to maturity, keep your new plants at least 3' away from the side of your house. This will allow good air circulation around all your plants (which will help them avoid heat stress from reflected sunshine and avoid diseases).
Small shrubs should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away. An 8-foot shrub next to a six foot shrub should be spaced about 7 feet apart. Spacing plants in hedges is another matter.
If you're not careful, plants and trees can damage your foundation, attract pests, or cause drainage problems. So, here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and functional landscape next to your home's foundation: It's best to keep all vegetation (flowers, shrubs, etc.) several feet away from the foundation.
Gravel is a popular choice for the area around your foundation due to its excellent drainage properties. Water leaks or excess moisture can lead to structural damage. Gravel allows water to pass through easily and prevents water from pooling around your foundation.
Water in the soil around a home puts pressure on the foundation that can cause cracks, leaks, and structural damage.
All trees, shrubs and plants can essentially cause problems to a home's foundation, structure or plumbing system.
Give Space: Plant shrubs and perennials at least 2-3 feet from the foundation for growth and airflow.
Ash, Poplar, and Locusts trees also caused more damage to homes in relation to their population. Trees that grow fast above ground grow equally as fast below ground, so you should not plant these trees near sidewalks, pipes, or homes.
Picking the Place: Before you go out and actually buy the shrubs you want to grow, do a thorough examination of the outside of your home to find the best growing spot. It needs to be somewhere that gets plenty of sun and rainfall – that way, the shrubs are equipped to flourish.
Plant small growing shrubs at least 24 inches from the foundation wall. Smaller understory trees should be planted no less that 3 to 4 feet from the anchoring corners. Add spice along side your foundation plantings. Once you've planted your basic foundation plantings, add some color or spice to the area.
Keep large shrubs and trees at least 10-30 feet away from the foundation of your house. If that's not possible, then practice good pruning to minimize root growth. There is also the obvious problem you want to avoid: limbs or large branches can break off and damage your house if the trees are too close.
The following bush species also have aggressive root systems: boxwood shrubs, holly bushes and shrubs, and ivy plants. Trees that are typically recommended near pipes include Amur maple, Japanese maple, dogwood, redbud, and fringetree.
Most of the varieties in Endless Summer will reach 3-4′ wide at maturity. I would give them at last two feet away from the foundation. Or even a little more if you don't want them touching the house. Summer Crush is the most compact, so you can plant that one a little closer.
Don't: Plant shrubs too close to the house.
Is this shrub too close? (Yes.) Avoid laying mulch and planting shrubs too close to your home – not just because plants will come into contact with and damage the siding, but because shrubs retain moisture.
This myth is one of the sillier ones, but it's based on genuine concern. The good news is that NO, you won't crack your foundation or otherwise damage it if you happen to overwater your hydrangeas. In fact, the flowers and shrubs you keep close to your home actually serve as a natural waterproofing barrier.
Well for one, the shrubs right up against the house shouldn't be much more than about ¾ the height of the house (walls) and the trees that are out a bit further, not more than about twice the height of the house.
I can easily walk behind the shrubs after planting. This rhododendron has a 2′ gap between the foliage and the side of the house. Large shrubs and small trees like Viburnum, Dogwood and Stewartia go a minimum of 6′ from the edge of the house and preferably 8′.
Stones or Pavers: Placing pavers or stones around the foundation creates a strong physical barrier that prevents soil erosion and directs water away from your home. We recommend choosing materials that permit water to drain through them, such as porous concrete pavers or permeable natural stone.
While shrubs are a fantastic—and often low-maintenance—addition to your landscape, some varieties can do more harm than good. Certain shrubs spread quickly, taking nutrients from neighboring plants and outcompeting important native species.
How Long Does It Take For Water To Damage Foundations? Water can compromise your foundation's strength in as little as 72 hours under severe conditions, though the process often takes months or years. The concrete damage usually starts subtly—hairline cracks slowly widen, creating paths for water seepage.
Cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors. Doors and windows that don't open and close properly. Uneven floors. Stair step cracks in brick or masonry.