By Shayla M. Sharp
A study at Clemson University and University of Michigan found that consumers valued a landscaped home up to 11.3% higher than its base price. Smart Money Magazine stated, "if you spend 5% of the value of your home on landscaping, and do it wisely, you might get 150% or more of your money back...sometimes that number can go even higher...if your home's landscaping is on the low end for the area and you're putting it on par with your neighbors, you could be looking at a 15% rise." (Fertile Ground, Smart Money, March 2003) The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recommends that homeowvers invest 10% of a home's value in landscaping. This includes softscaping such as trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as, hardscaping such as lighting, fences, garden paths, and ponds.
Obviously, a selling value increased by 15% would be a good thing, not only for an immediate seller, but for the homeowner looking to increase equity in their current property. So, how does one go about investing wisely in property improvements? How do you head in a direction that combines three landscape features--plant size, diversity of plant types, and degree of design
sophistication--to positively affect property value? With all the options out there, it can be overwhelming to try and decide where to start and what to do with your money. An easy way to stay focused and have direction is to think of your house as a person and the yard as its wardrobe. Keeping that in mind, here are five easy steps to perfect curb appeal:
1. Body Type Mapping
Just like people, houses come in all shapes, sizes and conditions. And just like people, some styles look better with some houses. Take a good look at your house. What is the overall style? Is it Dutch Colonial, early Victorian, ranch or perhaps one of the modern cottage types? Use the style of your home as your basis for landscape design. Evaluate the features of your house, as well as, the features of the current landscaping. There may be elements about your current property that need removal to show off the house to its best. Perhaps some tall dense shrubbery blocks the lovely columns or the deck is so small it seems dwarfed by the rest of the structure. There may also be elements that you decide need enhancing to bring out the features that make your property shine.
The best way to have this evaluation done is to find a reputable landscape designer or landscape architect to consult. Bring in photos of the home and property for the initial consultation if they can't come to the property in person. Having a professional designer create the overall landscape design will lend a cohesive feel to the gardens. If you can't afford a designer, get some graph paper, carefully measure the property and draw out a design yourself. Once you have a design--stick with it. A half finished plan will give your yard a half finished look. Need plant ideas? Talk with nursery workers, extension service personnel, read gardening and home magazines, and through it all take notes! Look specifically for good designs with houses of a similar type to your own.
2. Seasonal Wardrobe.
We all like to change what we wear and what we eat on a daily basis--naturally something that changes what we look at everyday would be more appealing than the boredom of a monotonous landscape. Plants change with the seasons too and a wise designer will plan to take advantage of this. Because houses aren't just sold in the spring and summer when the flowers are out and people don't just live there when the sun is shining, year round visual interest is necessary in a well-planned garden. Plan with plants that offer a yard full of seasonal change. Let some be the showy springtime color, while the others each have their own season. 
Take advantage of plants that have two seasons of interest such as flowers in spring and berries in the late fall and winter. Vary shapes, textures, sizes and color for a visually appealing property.
Consider the climate you live in--what are the seasons really like there? Winter in a the rainy Pacific Northwest is quite a bit different from the sunny days of Florida or the piles of snow that come to New York. While snow mounds create a winter wonderland as they cover bare branches and clumps of dried grass, those same bare branches and browned out plants don't look nearly as attractive in a soggy gray-skied situation. Don't forget to also consider the hardscaping which will be more visible during certain portions of the year, particularly winter. Seasonal differences will change the accessibility and desired use of certain areas. Perhaps you will decide to put a covering over the deck to accommodate rainy or super hot days, or maybe you will avoid certain stones in your walkways that become extra slippery when wet..
Also, like any good wardrobe--accessorize! Accessorizing your yard means finding those little finishing touches to complete the picture. Garden lights, a bench, colorful hanging baskets and container gardens, an elegant wreath for the door, or that perfect little bistro table set, which when chosen to match the style of the property will add to the ambiance of the garden.
3. Bling Bling.
Let's face it--we all want a little sparkle in our daily wear. Your landscape is no different. How does the rest of the neighborhood look? If every house is well designed and lovely, but yours is the prime example of the land of desolation then your curb will repel buyers (and you won't be too thrilled either)! If your house is on par with the rest, then it is important to set yourself apart a little. The best designs are ones that have a few well placed focal points throughout. This may be a fountain or a pond or it could be an outdoor room area. A well planned focal point can help accentuate the great characteristics of the property such as the terrific view, the ease fo entertaining friends, or its remote peacefulness. And, if the house is just average, it can create interest and set it above the rest. A Quebec survey found that hedges raised property values by 3.6%, a landscaped curb by 4.4% and a landscaped patio by 12.4%. Just image what a water or rock garden would do. When picking out a large piece of art for your walls, you spend time looking and thinking about what would be just right--do the same for your landscape. Too many focal points, or ones that are over the top for your home style, can easily take a great landscape and toss it into the reject pile. Remember, like a diamond, quantity is not nearly as important as quality!
4. Wrinkle Free.
Don't you just love finding a shirt or some slacks that are practically wash and go? No ironing or dry cleaning involved. The yard is the wardrobe for the property and when it is lovely people want it--when it's easy to maintain people need it. People have less and less time to spend maintaining a yard and most have little desire to do so. By creating a landscape that is easy to keep looking beautiful, the owners have more time to enjoy it--a very appealing aspect. After all, which would most individuals rather do--mow the lawn and trim the shrubs or hold a backyard barbeque with their friends and sip lemonade?
When designing and choosing plants, keep low maintenance in mind. Instead of a standard sized apple tree that needs heavy pruning every year, consider a dwarf size of the same variety. The edge of the lawn should curve gently in a mower-friendly fashion. Allowing plants to grow in a more natural shape instead of boxed hedges will free up time otherwise spent trimming. 
Now this doesn't mean you are stuck with a dull yard, no one wants that! Choose carefully so that your trees and and shrubs provide variety of color, shape and texture while still filling in large areas for easy maintenance. But, don't forget that flowers can add a great deal to the landscape. Mix in bulbs, perennials and annuals for seasonal splashes of color that don't require an entire yard's worth of work.
Also, remember that when you plan to sell, the more potential buyers it appeals to, the faster it sells and the higher it sells. Be careful not to over-personalize the design. You might love your collection of junk art--someone else will see it as trash in the yard. Incorporate some of your desires into the place where you're living, but also keep in mind the potential for selling.
5. Botox.
Whether you've recently renovated the entire property or are stuck with what you've got, it's important to take an honest evaluation of the look of it. Does the roof have moss, brickwork need power-washing, trees pruned back, shrubs trimmed, or that dead thing in the corner removed? Do it! Without regular care and maintenance anything, whether it is a car, a house, or a yard, will quickly begin to have a run-down appearance. If you don't have the time yourself, put out the money to have someone come and do it for you. Set up a regular schedule for yard care so that you only have to spend a few minutes at a time and it won't become an overwhelming chore.
When all is said and done, point yourself in the direction of your local nursery or extension service--they're always happy to help you improve upon your investment!
Article published on NWAbode.com in June 2009.
Shayla M. Sharp, a horticulturalist and designer, received her bachelor's from Brigham Young University where she studied landscape design, environmental horticulture and other aspects of horticulture science.