Landscapes that offer a variety of functional uses can make the most of your outdoor space. Lawns provide a place for children and pets to play, shrubs add beauty, and trees give you shade and curb appeal.
Keep maintenance in mind when selecting plants and designing your landscape. Group high maintenance plantings near your home to reduce the amount of weeding and mowing you have to do. Visit https://www.ecograssnwa.com/ to learn more.
1. Aesthetics
Many people choose to have landscape designs done because they find them aesthetically pleasing. Color is one of the most important elements when determining aesthetics, with warm colors like red and yellow creating excitement and making objects feel closer while cool colors such as green and blue create calmness. Using a color wheel can help you determine what color combinations will work well together in your design. Form is another aspect that can have a big impact on your landscape. Plants can come in a variety of shapes and forms, ranging from the rigidly upright branches of a Lombardy poplar tree to the more globular structure of a weeping willow.
Texture can also have a large impact on the aesthetics of your landscape. Different plants offer a wide range of textures from the fine texture of heuchera to the broad ferny texture of hakonechloa grass. In shady spaces, the purple to red foliage of Japanese maple and hosta provide contrast to the greens of boxwood and weeping redbud while the fine textured astilbe and cimicifuguga add a nice touch of depth to the space.
While research on landscape aesthetics is growing, its connection to biodiversity and ecosystem services (CESs) remains largely unexplored. It is important to develop operational conservation programmes that are based on a good understanding of the link between landscape aesthetics, biodiversity and ecosystem function.
Achieving this will require linking landscape structural metrics, such as ‘naturalness’ or ‘landscape complexity’ to classical descriptors of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The development of accurate measures of landscape aesthetics and ecological value is a critical step that will need to draw on disciplines including sociology, psychology, neurology and ecology.
2. Health
A well-designed and maintained landscape supports a healthy environment for both humans and wildlife. Plants help prevent soil erosion and maintain water quality by absorbing pollutants from the air, reducing stormwater runoff and preventing contaminant accumulation in groundwater sources. In addition to providing beauty, plants provide a variety of other benefits such as soil stabilization, noise buffering, food, shelter and energy.
Several studies have linked landscape health with human health, including improved mental and physical wellbeing. For example, walking through a green space reduces stress and improves short-term memory and attention, while increasing feelings of joy and boosting the immune system. Incorporating landscaping into a hotel or commercial property can enhance a guest’s experience and increase overall wellness on the property.
Landscaping can also contribute to a healthier workplace, with studies showing that people who spend time in nature have higher productivity and lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone). The more natural the environment is, the better, as long as it is well-maintained and safe.
Healthy landscapes are a source of fresh air through photosynthesis and evapotranspiration, wherein plants absorb liquid from the soil to release water vapor into the atmosphere. In addition to reducing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, trees and plants filter dust, smoke particles, harmful volatile organic compounds and other pollutants from the air. The cooling effects of a lawn and other plants can also reduce indoor temperatures during the summer.
The presence of landscaping can significantly reduce energy costs by reducing the need for air conditioning. Additionally, plants and other landscaping elements are natural sound-dampeners and can reduce noise levels by 20 to 30% over hard surfaces. Adding flowers, shrubs, greenery and trees to a landscape not only beautifies the property, but increases its value by as much as 15%. In fact, homes with great landscaping sell on average six weeks faster than comparable properties without them.
3. Wildlife
Over the past century, human development has transformed many ecologically productive areas of the continental United States into lawns and exotic ornamental plants. These landscapes no longer support functioning ecosystems, and the remaining isolated natural areas are often not large enough to provide wildlife habitat. Landscaping to attract and sustain native birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators can help balance this loss of habitat.
In addition to food, the most important thing for most wildlife species is cover. Having places to hide from predators, seek shelter, and raise young is essential to attracting and supporting local wildlife. Many wildlife habitat features are simple to implement, including providing a variety of plant heights, having a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, and creating small islands of vegetation. These islands can be planted with wildflowers, groundcover, or other vegetation and should be located near each other to reduce the amount of open space that animals have to travel across.
It is also important to avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in your landscaping and to try to keep the lawn size as low as possible. These practices not only cut down on fertilizer use and weed control but they also help to prevent soil erosion which releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
In a world increasingly dominated by concrete and manicured lawns, creating a wildlife garden brimming with native plants may seem like a small act. However, these gardens can have significant benefits, from reducing carbon dioxide and toxins in the air to helping fight climate change. Every yard and garden that uses native plants in their landscaping can make a difference.
4. Value
Landscaping is a great way to increase the value of a residential or commercial property. It is often one of the first things that potential buyers notice, and it can make or break their decision to buy the home. In addition, landscaping can also be used to create privacy and create a space for entertaining or relaxing.
Landscaping can also help with erosion control and stormwater management. It can also reduce the risk of soil compaction and promote biodiversity. It is important to choose plants that are adapted to your climate and soil conditions. Proper maintenance is also crucial. Regular lawn care and trimming will keep the plants looking healthy and attractive.
A well-kept yard can add up to 15% to a home’s overall value. It can also reduce the time it takes to sell a home and make it more appealing to buyers. Some landscaping elements can be added at any time to improve a home’s value, and they can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.
It is important to avoid landscaping pitfalls that can decrease a home’s value. Weeds, overgrowth, and a disjointed design can turn off potential buyers. Additionally, if your yard is too sloped, it can cause safety issues and limit the amount of usable space. You should also consider hiring a professional to ensure your landscape is aesthetically pleasing and properly maintained. They will know how to use plants and trees to create a balanced yard. They can also help you with other tasks such as pruning, mulching, and weeding. Using a service like Smart Service can streamline the process and make your work easier. Request a free demo today to learn more!
5. Maintenance
Whether your landscape includes grass, flowers, shrubs, trees or hardscape features, such as walkways, patios, driveways and retaining walls, proper maintenance is an important part of the design process. Professional landscapers are skilled at implementing the correct care for your plants and grass, and can help you avoid common mistakes like over- or under-watering, applying incorrect fertilizers or pesticides and more.
A well-maintained garden, lawn or flower bed is visually appealing and will attract attention from passersby. It also increases the value of your property, and can help you sell your home more quickly if you ever decide to move. Landscaping also promotes sustainability, which is becoming increasingly important in our environmentally-conscious society. By utilizing native plants and ground cover, you can eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and weed treatments while attracting beneficial insects that will control pest populations naturally. By strategically planting trees and shrubs, you can reduce your energy bills by providing shade and cooling effects as well as acting as windbreaks.
Maintaining a beautiful landscape not only benefits the appearance of your property, but can also have positive health and psychological effects. Spending time in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure and stress levels, as well as improve concentration and memory. In urban areas, landscaping is essential to creating a pleasant environment where people can relax and feel at home.