Does Your Landscape Need a Facelift?

            Mature trees lining a street or driveway add beauty and value to a home or neighborhood, and a park-like feeling to a property.  But when fifty-year-old Spruce trees dwarf a house, and ancient Yew shrubs have overstayed their welcome by covering windows or blocking walkways and front steps, it’s time to consider replacements. 

            Regular pruning can prevent this overgrowth, but not all of us have a personal gardener, and fewer of us have the time to properly maintain our landscape.  The alternative to pruning is to plant dwarf shrubs and trees.  These plants have been hybridized over the years to grow very slowly, or to maintain a compact size at full maturity.  If you’re tired of the endless task of pruning, consider replacement plantings.

            Patios and walkways are another element often in need of updating.  Is your front walk the one that the builder installed twenty-plus years ago? Is it cracked concrete, or maybe those hexagon-shaped pavers of the seventies, sinking lower inside their rotting wood tie frames?  If so, it’s time for a new walk.  For comfort and practicality, the standard width for front entrance walkways is at least four feet wide.  This allows two people to walk side-by-side, and leaves enough space to maneuver around an object (tricycle, etc.) obstructing the path.  The size of the house, and space available should determine the width of the walk.  It should be in scale and balance with the architecture.    The front entrance should be easy to access from the street or the driveway, with ample space for visitors to walk when cars are parked there.  A generous entry courtyard makes guests feel more welcome.

            Patios should be considered as outdoor living areas, with space for dining, entertaining, or simply lounging.  A large patio gives a family plenty of space to enjoy comfortable outdoor living.  There are many paving materials available for patios and walkways, in many different styles, colors and price ranges.  A properly-installed hardscape will last the lifetime of your home and add resale value.

            According to MONEY magazine, quality landscaping can increase the value of your home by 15%!