The Value of Landscaping

The next time you take a drive through a neighborhood - especially one you visit infrequently - notice what makes one house stand out from the rest. Maybe it will be the home's color or trim, but from my observations, often a house that stands out as really attractive is one that has been well landscaped and "placed" into a setting.

I'm not talking about a few evergreens or shrubs planted in front of the home as a matter of standard issue, but rather an obvious planned approach to beautifying the outside of your home.

Starting with the front yard, a well-groomed lawn leading to a well-planted walkway adds graciousness to the entry of any home. Flowers that accent the colors and pattern can carry a theme from the front of the house throughout the entire yard.

A well-planned flower garden near a window adds beauty from the inside of the home as well as the outside. You can specially-select flowers to attract butterflies or bird lovers can include a bird bath and trees for shelter for a variety of species of native birds. Add a feeder in the winter and your yard takes on yet another dimension.

A deck or patio adds value not only for resale, but also by providing an outdoor living space for you and your guests. Decks and patios can be accented with colorful flowers in strategically placed containers or in surrounding beds. You can position trees for shade or to screen in an area of privacy. Trees can be placed near your home to shade in summer, lowering cooling costs, or evergreens to act as wind screens in the winter, which reduces heating costs.

If you have recently moved into a newer home, you should consider planting trees before landscaping any other area of the yard. Many years will pass before the trees reach full size and provide significant shade to an area, so this is an excellent place to start adding value. Tress, alone, can add hundreds and even thousands of dollars in value to a property. But, I think even more important than resale value is the enjoyment you will get from a well-planned and functional landscape design that enhances outdoor living and makes coming home more enjoyable.

To choose the elements in your yard that will be the greatest asset to your lifestyle you may need the advice of a professional designer. You can complete the plan all at once, stage it over two season, or even a three to five year period by prioritizing certain items and choosing to add other elements later.

When considering a landscape plan, think about the unique likes and dislikes of your family, such as: color choices, special needs such as amount of space or the need to landscape around a child's outdoor play equipment. Then, with the help of a designer, coordinate the outside of your home the same way you do the inside.

I guarantee that people passing your home will be admiring its attractiveness as it "stands out from the crowd."