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Landscaping for Curb Appeal

A well-landscaped yard creates curb appeal and helps your property retain maximum value. According to the American Nursery & Landscape Association, improved landscaping can increase your property value by 7 to 14 percent and can make it sell 5 to 6 weeks faster. Maximizing your yard’s attributes and minimizing its problems to create a beautiful street side view doesn’t have to be difficult, daunting, or expensive. 

Make your yard the envy of neighbors and passersby with these tips to landscape for curb appeal: 

Think of All the Seasons

It’s easy to think of plants and flowers that look great in the spring and summer months, but a landscape that goes dormant in the winter will look foreboding and uninviting. Plan your landscape to include structural elements such as trees and shrubs, as well as materials that look good in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The goal is to have visual interest throughout all the seasons so plan your yard accordingly. This will give your yard more diversity and appeal as the appearance will change every few months. 

Layer & Group Your Plantings

Add depth to your flowerbeds by planting in three rows with the back row having the tallest plants, a middle row with the next tallest, and a front row composed of your shortest plants. Plant flowers in odd numbered groups of 3-5 plants to maximize interest. Use repetition, both in the planting bed and elsewhere in your yard, to provide unity. 

Utilize Hardscapes Into Your Design

Walls and fences make an essential design statement, as they frame your property and can also mask unsightly areas and add privacy. Winding stone walkways can be beautifully accented with colorful annuals or perennials. Don’t forget to breathe life into a porch with planters and hanging baskets as they will provide a cheery welcome to your front door. 

Go Big Only When Necessary

Larger trees and shrubs are expensive, but you can cut costs by buying smaller versions of the plants you want to incorporate in your yard. They grow faster than you think. Also check end of season sales as it’s definitely not too late to plant in the fall. You don’t have to make all the changes to your landscaping at once. You can update your plantings in stages to keep within your budget. Having a master plan to work from will make this easy to accomplish. 

Keep it Low Maintenance

Even if you love gardening and maintaining your yard, the next owner of your home may not. Make your yard beautiful, but consider choosing low maintenance trees, shrubs and perennials to reduce the amount of upkeep. Trim your trees and shrubs regularly and keep the weeds out of your flowerbeds for a neat appearance. The more often you do routine maintenance, the easier your job will be.