Shrubs for a townhouse community - Ask Extension
I’m on the Board of NorthGlen townhomes. We are looking for recommendations for shrubs around our townhomes. We need full sun, partial sun and sha...
Knowledgebase
Shrubs for a townhouse community #907896
Asked June 30, 2025, 4:21 PM EDT
I’m on the Board of NorthGlen townhomes. We are looking for recommendations for shrubs around our townhomes. We need full sun, partial sun and shade shrubs. The planting area is only about 3 ft out from the townhouse. They will be planted in the rocks. We do have rabbits and squirrels.
Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Margaret Grants
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
First, rocks are one thing, landscaping cloth is another. Even permeable cloth blocks water and changes the subsurface microbial environment.
There are many lists of shrubs for our environment.
https://mnhardy.umn.edu/shrubs
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/trees-and-shrubs-pollinators
I suggest a field trip and guided tour of the shrub collection at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
https://arb.umn.edu/gardens-grounds/shrub-collections
First, rocks are one thing, landscaping cloth is another. Even permeable cloth blocks water and changes the subsurface microbial environment.
There are many lists of shrubs for our environment.
https://mnhardy.umn.edu/shrubs
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/trees-and-shrubs-pollinators
I suggest a field trip and guided tour of the shrub collection at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
https://arb.umn.edu/gardens-grounds/shrub-collections
