For Your Information

Landscaping is much more than pretty plants—a good landscape design can add 20 percent to the value of your property and save up to 25 percent in heating and cooling costs.

A professionally landscaped property is a sure ticket to quick resale. It gives a home curb appeal, a sense of place and value. "It’s the first thing you see," says Joan Honeyman, of Honeyman Landscape  Architecture in Washington, D.C. That first impression can add 20 percent to your home’s value, a figure that rivals the return on a new kitchen or bath.

Perhaps the biggest mistake homeowners make is a piecemeal approach to landscaping. Homeowners begin projects, start to clear areas, put in a mix of plants, and proceed without a plan. The result is a hodgepodge of plantings and gardens that give the property a disorganized feel. An implemented professional landscape design provides a polished look. Following a professionally prepared plan will lead the homeowner to a beautiful property while remaining within a pre-established budget.

Proper plantings can save you money on your energy bill. Trees provide wind breaks that reduce energy demand in the winter and give shade to the property during hot summer months.

It is important to protect your landscaping investment and keep your property looking its very best. A landscape designer or landscaper can help you devise a schedule for upkeep and maintenance. Be honest with yourself—if you do not have the time or the inclination to maintain your exterior plantings, engage the regular services of a landscaping maintenance company. 

Most of all, remember that everything doesn’t have to happen at once. Consider a five-year plan that has plantings maturing at varying rates and adds various features each year. This way you can remain within your budget—time-wise and cost-wise—while still progressing toward a complete landscape renovation.

Landscaping really does add value to your home. Even when you have a tight or limited budget it is a good idea to have a professional landscape designer or architect do the plan for your backyard. Then, as you have the money, you can tackle your yard one project at a time. Landscaping your front yard gives your home "curb appeal", which will attract buyers.

Luxury items like outdoor fireplaces, TVs and waterfalls won’t give you a good return on the money you will have to spend. Consider how much you will actually use these features before you plan to include them.