Perennial plantings can add color, as well as an attractive screen, around the base of your porch, but you need to be cautious about where you plant them. As they grow and fill out, shrubs and other plants can reduce proper air circulation. If they're too close to the porch, the water they need to thrive can end up drifting toward foundations and footings. Before you begin planting, know what the full-grown dimensions of your plants will be and position them at least half of that full-grown width away from your porch's base. Use mulch to keep moisture near plant roots and away from your porch's structural elements.
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Know the full-grown dimensions of plants before you add them to your garden.
