Perhaps many of us are scarred from a childhood spent staring at the houses in our neighborhoods that were all landscaped the same way: A few boring shrubs chucked against the front foundation. In this episode we challenge the notion that foundation plants have to be ugly—or have to be traditional evergreens (we’re talking about you Mr. Alberta Spruce). Find out which plants have found a home against the foundations of Steve and Danielle’s houses, and which ones they’re considering adding into the diverse mix. Then we ask designer Susan Morrison to weigh in on the dos and don’ts of a proper foundation planting.

Expert testimony: Susan Morrison, owner and principle at Creative Exteriors Landscape Design in Northern California.