Types of Plants for Landscaping — and When to Use Each
May 12, 2022
Choosing the right plants can completely transform your landscape. Whether you're planning lawn installation, garden beds, or a full landscape design, selecting the right mix of plant types—based on your climate, sunlight, soil, and style—is essential for long-term success.
If you're searching for landscape design or looking for help with planting services, this guide breaks down the most common types of plants used in professional landscaping—and when to use each.
- Trees
Best for: Shade, structure, privacy, curb appeal
Trees are the backbone of a landscape. Use large deciduous trees like maple or oak for shade and structure, or evergreens like arborvitae or pine for year-round privacy screening. Flowering trees like dogwood or cherry add seasonal interest. - Shrubs
Best for: Borders, foundation plantings, privacy hedges
Shrubs offer shape, texture, and structure at eye level. Boxwood and holly are popular for neat hedges, while hydrangeas and spirea provide color and softness. Native shrubs support pollinators and require less water. - Perennials
Best for: Flower beds, borders, pollinator gardens
Perennials return each year, making them ideal for low-maintenance landscape designs. Use black-eyed Susan, coneflowers, or hostas for color and texture. Group by bloom time for continuous color spring through fall.
Use when: You want long-term beauty with minimal replanting. - Annuals
Best for: Seasonal color, containers, entryways
Annuals bloom for one season but offer vibrant, nonstop color. Use petunias, marigolds, or impatiens in pots or mixed beds to refresh your landscape each spring and summer.
Use when: You want flexible, high-impact color near entrances or patios. - Ornamental Grasses
Best for: Texture, movement, modern landscapes
Grasses like fountain grass, switchgrass, and blue fescue are drought-tolerant and great for adding visual motion and structure. Many are native and work well in both traditional and contemporary designs.
Use when: You want a low-maintenance, natural aesthetic. - Ground Covers
Best for: Slopes, shady areas, between stones
Ground covers like creeping thyme, vinca, or pachysandra suppress weeds, prevent erosion, and fill tricky spaces. They're especially useful on hillsides or under trees where grass won’t grow.
Use when: You need erosion control or alternatives to turf.
Need Help Choosing the Right Plants?
Every landscape is different. Our team specializes in plant selection, lawn installation, and landscape design tailored to your site conditions and goals. We offer expert recommendations and free estimates to make sure your outdoor space thrives.
