Low-growing Shrubs for St. Louis

Finding plants suitable for a foundation planting of a home can be difficult because many shrubs have a maximum height that will block the windows. The following list is a wide selection of shrubs that will reach a maximum height of 4 feet and should allow you to still enjoy the view with little to no pruning required. Window heights do vary, so be sure to check the maximum height listed for each shrub. 

Deciduous

   

Evergreen

 
Abelia 'Rose Creek'
abelia
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Wintergreen'
Korean boxwood 
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Abelia × grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
glossy abelia
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Green Beauty'
Japanese boxwood
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 - 3.00 ft.
black chokeberry 
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Duke Gardens'
cow's tail pine 
Needled evergreen

Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Clethra alnifolia 'Crystalina'
sweet pepperbush
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'
hinoki cypress
Needled evergreen

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
Cornus sericea 'Farrow' ARCTIC FIRE
red twig dogwood
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Rhododendron 'Cascade'
evergreen azalea
 
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Cotoneaster adpressus 'Little Gem'
creeping cotoneaster 
shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 0.75 to 1.50 feet
Rhododendron 'Girard's Crimson'
evergreen azalea 
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko'
slender deutzia
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium 
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Rhododendron 'Girard's Hot Shot'
evergreen azalea 
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Forsythia 'Courtasol' GOLD TIDE
forsythia
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Rhododendron 'Girard's Rose'
evergreen azalea 
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
Fothergilla gardenii
dwarf fothergilla
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet
Rhododendron 'Herbert'
evergreen azalea 
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Fothergilla 'Mount  Airy'
dwarf fothergilla
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
Rhododendron 'Hino-crimson'
evergreen azalea 
Broadleaf evergreen

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Hydrangea arborescens LIL ANNIE
smooth hydrangea 
Shrub

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
   
Hydrangea arborescens  'NCHA1' INVINCIBELLE SPIRIT
smooth hydrangea 
Shrub

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
   
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' ENDLESS SUMMER
bigleaf hydrangea 
Shrub

Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
   
Hydrangea paniculata 'Ilvobo' BOBO
panicle hydrangea
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
   
Hydrangea paniculata 'SMHPLQF' LITTLE QUICK FIRE
panicle hydrangea
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
   
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'
oakleaf hydrangea 
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
   
Hypericum HYPEARLS RENU
hypericum 
Shrub

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Height: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
   
Spiraea 'Darsnorm' SNOW STORM
spirea 
Shrub

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
   
Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame
Japanese spirea 
Shrub

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
   
Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess'
Japanese spirea 
Shrub

Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Height: 1.50 to 2.50 feet