Smart landscape choices for the long term

www.chicagotribune.com - By Nina A. Koziol |Special to the Tribune July 19, 2009
Instead of adding to your garden, sometimes a little editing --removing the rangy, moth-eaten spruce tree that was planted 40 yearsago and now blocks your living room window -- can open up a new look,one that invites hydrangeas, roses or fragrant viburnums withfour-season interest.

A few quick and often inexpensive fixes may be all that's needed. "Theinside of your home can be a knockout, but if the outside has overgrownshrubbery or the driveway needs to be resealed or the mulch hasn't beenreplenished, well, all these are no-no's that can detract from yourlandscape and your home," said Shannon Daily, Realtor with RE/MAX Team2000 in Palos Heights.

And though you might want to cut corners and do some work yourself,some jobs -- tree trimming, installing a patio or designing a landscapeto look good year-round -- may call for the pros, especially if youwant to maximize resale value.

"Spend some time quizzing potential contractors about examples of theirwork and their knowledge of plant materials," said Scott Grams,executive director of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association(ilca.net) in Oak Brook."You don't want to hire someone and a year from now bring in someoneelse to fix their work. Landscaping, done right, will add to the valueof your home for years to come."

Tips for adding beauty, and value

Some expert tips for figuring out how to make the most of your home landscape and how best to invest for the long term.

First impressions count. Sometimes a new point of view -- fromacross the street, not your porch -- will show you what needs tweaking.Cross the street and analyze your home's curb appeal. "If your lawn isin disarray or the brickwork, driveway or siding needs work, thesethings detract from your overall landscape and home," says RealtorShannon Daily of Palos Heights.

Dream on. If you don't know where to start, think about yourfavorite vacation spot, said landscape architect Bob Hursthouse ofHursthouse Landscape Architects & Contractors in Bolingbrook. "Welove to camp and canoe, so our backyard is more like a comfortablecampground with Adirondack chairs," he said. Large tropical plantsplaced around a small pond and stone patio remind Hursthouse and hiswife of their trip to Polynesia.

It's elemental. A water feature, like a small pond or fountain,can add enjoyment through the summer, but Hursthouse's first choicewould be a well-made fire pit that can delight 12 months of the year inour region. If you're thinking of an in-ground pool, though, Dailycautioned that many home buyers are turned off by pools because of themaintenance involved.

Deck vs. patio. Brick paver paths and paver or stone patios tendto have more draw than maintenance-needy decks when it comes to resalevalue, Daily said. "People are more into a natural stone look thesedays, although there are low-maintenance decks you can install."

Flattering light. A few outdoor lights placed for safety or tohighlight an ornamental tree or architectural feature in the gardenwill provide interest in the evening throughout the year. One bigno-no, said Hursthouse, are coach lights on a brick or stone seat wallthat are blindingly bright. Keep lighting subtle.

Sit on it. Consider adding a bench somewhere in the yard where it can serve as a getaway as well as a focal point.

Make it move. Ornamental grasses, wind chimes and moving waterare easy and inexpensive ways to bring movement that catches the eye inthe garden.

Think long-term. Some choices -- like an attractive shade treesuited to your site -- will get better with age and add to the overalllandscape, whereas a wooden pergola or wood picket fence will needongoing maintenance.

Sustain it. Choose plant combinations that work together and will be there for the long run. The Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden Web sites can help you with plant recommendations for the region: mortonarb.org and chicagobotanic.org. On the other hand...

Don't overgarden. Some homeowners and future home buyers areoverwhelmed when faced with large flower beds. "The bloom comes off therose when you're married to maintenance," Hursthouse said.