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Along with bathrooms and kitchens, landscaping can provide a significant return on investment. In fact, not only does it add value immediately, but it also can increase in value over the year. Unlike design trends in cabinets and bathtubs, plants that are well cared for do not go out of style. Horticulturalists estimated that a home with landscaping has a significant price advantage over a house with none, ranging from 5.5 percent to 12.7 percent. Prospective buyers look for sophisticated design, plant size, and diversity, when evaluating the gardening at a home. Landscaping design does not have to be expensive. The American Society of Landscape Architects recommends an investment of five to ten percent of your home's property value in landscaping. For a $300,000 home, the price range for remodeling comes between $12,500 and $25,000. However, those figures are made more manageable by dividing the project up into phases, and paying as you go. If you decide to do your planting in phases, experts caution that you make sure that it does not look as though it is assembled haphazardly. The Society recommends that you consult one of their member-architects, or at least come up with a plan for your design. Some national, home-improvement retailers will offer consulting services if you buy your materials from them. Your plan should take your property's features and dimensions into account. A low fence placed in front of your house can make your front yard look deeper. Colorful flowers can make it look more welcoming. Your design plan can even mask the less-attractive features of your property. For example, well-placed shrubs can hide an unsightly driveway. When selecting plants and planning your design, it is important to consider your climate. It is estimated that people who live in a dry climate can attribute 60 percent of their water bill to lawn care. Replacing lawns with shrubs and perennials can create a lush environment even in dry conditions. Seeds and berries can create a habitat for birds and other creatures. Incorporating boulders and wood chips into your scheme can create a low-maintenance design that uses very little water. Lawn replacement is so effective in conserving water, some cities, like Palo Alto, have implemented rebate programs that reimburse homeowners who get rid of their lawns. Finally, it is important to select a variety of plants. One way in which this can be accomplished is through edible landscaping, which combines decorative plants with edible or fruit-bearing ones. If you have the space, fruit trees, such as lemon trees, provide both shade and fruit. Many fruit trees also come in miniature and dwarf sizes that fit in a pot. Blueberry and currant bushes can substitute for shrubs. Grapevines can grow up over an arbor, and cucumbers and zucchinis can grow vertically on trellises. Colorful vegetables, such as purple cabbage, white cauliflower, and multicolored Swiss chard, look beautiful in flowerbeds, alongside flowers of coordinating colors. Selecting the right flowers and trees for your home can add value to your property. Careful planning can yield beautiful and functional results. Are you looking for all-phase landscaping? Clackamas, Oregon, residents can visit our site for more information about designing their dream yard! http://www.shannonlandscape.com/.
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