The Outdoor Landscaping Feature That Isn't Worth The Investment

Did you know there are landscaping mistakes that may actually hurt your home's value? When it comes to establishing a new garden or refurbishing an old one, think carefully about what you're trying to achieve and what your future plans are likely to be. If your current home is not your forever one or you're considering renting out the property down the track, there's one outdoor landscaping feature you want to avoid because it's simply not worth the investment — a high-maintenance garden.

While you might be a keen gardener and love nothing more than spending your free time outside, tending all the plants you've nurtured, not everyone has the same enthusiasm for yard work. Yes, to some people, maintaining a garden is considered work rather than a pleasant pastime. This means those beautiful garden beds filled with flowers and bulbs you've lovingly cultivated might just prove to be a turnoff to potential buyers or renters in the future. Although a well-tended yard can look absolutely amazing, one that's not cared for can look messy and create additional stress in the minds of potential owners. 

While landscaping that is attractive and well-maintained can increase your home's value by up to 10 to 15%, high-maintenance designs that include complex flower beds, rare plants, or excessive water features will often turn people away. Ultimately, you want to create a cohesive front garden and functional backyard that are both appealing and easy to care for.

According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (via Bankrate), you should not spend more than 10 to 20% of your home's current value on your landscaping if you want a good return on investment. Your primary focus should be on creating a low-maintenance garden that looks inviting but that can virtually take care of itself with just a bit of attention a few times a year. 

To keep it simple, choose species that don't require extensive pruning or copious amounts of additional water. Avoid sculpted hedges because these generally need quite a lot of work to maintain so they don't look unkempt. Plants that are native to your region are usually your best bet. If there are garden beds in lawn areas or adjacent to walkways, make sure they have some hard edging, as this makes it quicker and easier to trim around them.

If carefully planted with low-maintenance species, garden beds can look attractive without immediately giving off the vibe that they're going to need a lot of work — especially if you cover the soil around the plants with a thick layer of mulch to keep the weeds down and make them look tidy. Adding a few solar lights can also be a cost-effective way to enhance an outdoor space and improve the yard's usability. For even more useful tips, take a look at some additional backyard features that are hurting your home's real estate value.