A well-designed landscape can improve your property value. Landscaping can add 7 percent to 14 percent to a home’s value. But you want the right landscaping – avoid climbing ivy, it attracts pests.
Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs as much as 25 percent by shading the windows and walls of your home. Plant trees and shrubs on the east and west sides of the house.
Landscaping tips:
- Annuals die at the end of the growing season and must be replaced the next year. Perennials die at the end of the season too, but re-emerge year after year.
- Planting seeds is more cost-effective than starting with plants, but not all varieties are hardy enough to survive.
- Early bedding plants can be planted while it’s still cool. Plants such as pansies, snapdragons, dianthus (pinks), alyssum and dusty miller are tolerant of the chilly spring.
- Hold off planting new perennials, warm-season annuals and anything that does not tolerated frost until the danger of frost is past.
- Before you go shopping for plants, consider what kinds of plants you would like to plant. Are you looking for flowers, vegetables, herbs or greenery?
- Be realistic about your budget. You may not be able to afford it all this month or even this season.
- Before picking out plants, decide where you want to plant them. Is the area sunny or shaded, or both?
- If you’re not a big avid gardener, keep in simple with some pretty flowers.
- Read plant labels. They tell you everything from how far apart to plant, water needs and whether it’s an annual or perennial.
- Many culinary herbs are easy to grow from seed or from plants. Many can be grown on your back deck or a window box.
- Prepare and test your soil.
- Mulch will keep the soil moist and cut down on weeding.
- Check Angie's List consumer reviews to find the best landscapers in your area.
Choosing a nursery/greenhouse:
- A well run plant nursery should be clean and tidy with orderly, well-stocked displays.
- How well are the plants categorized? Plants should be categorized into plants for sun and plants for shade and separated annuals, perennials, etc.
- Plants should be well watered and cared for, pest and disease-free.
- Signs should be easy to read and clearly identify each plant. Prices should be marked.
- There should be an adequate number of sales people to consult with customers and the sales people should be well-informed about the plants they are selling.
Garden Trends:
- Concerned and heightened awareness for the environment
- Low maintenance landscapes for busy homeowners
- Using colorful foliage plants to spruce up monochromatic plantings
- Plants that attract and feed wildlife