REASONS TO LANDSCAPE

By Howard Jay Supnik, RLA, ASLA

Wherever you may live - a city, the suburbs or a rural area - it is important to make something of the landscape surrounding your house. I will discuss some of the data showing increased home value from thoughtful landscaping, but I propose the number one reason to 'landscape one's property' is more about creating a quality of life and sense of well-being. Some people utilize yoga or meditation techniques as a source of inspiration for the fine-tuning of their state of mind and emotional health, but next to nature itself, well-designed plantings and unified outdoor spaces are one of the best sources for calming and healing the mind and spirit. For centuries, healing or therapeutic gardens have been doing just that, and have become very popular in the past few decades. Therapeutic Landscapes Network (TLN) defines healing landscapes as "Landscapes for Health, any landscape, designed or wild, that facilitates human health and well-being. Many gardens and other green spaces outside of healthcare facilities (hospitals, hospices, clinics, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities), such as memorials, gardens in prisons, and sensory gardens fit this broad definition, chosen to include ... because of their power to help people live happier, healthier, more meaningful lives."1

But don't wait until you are sick! Designed landscapes should also be enjoyed while you are well to keep you well. The sound of water splashing from a fountain or a small urn can distract from road noises or neighbors and have a terrific cooling effect. Well-chosen plantings can be a source of food for birds and often provide visual interest in the garden. Creating clearly defined outdoor spaces add variety and interest and allows for flexibility to experience different views and senses, as well as giving reason for movement and strolling. Spaces for entertaining, such as an outdoor kitchen or dining area, an area with a firepit or fireplace, or a pool/spa are a great way to socialize with friends and family and lift one's spirits.

But for those who are still not convinced, and are more bottom-line driven, research has shown that landscape improvements can increase a home's value significantly. A 2009 study in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture showed the following: Homes that improved landscaping from average quality to good or excellent quality increased selling price by 5.7 and 10.8%, respectively. Approximately 30% of the increase in sale value was accounted for by added tree cover. The results show that each $1.00 invested in upgrading an average landscape to excellent quality returns $1.35 in added property value. 2

1 Therapeutic Landscapes Network. www.healinglandscapes.org website.
2 Stigarll, A. and E. Elam. Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics,301 Ag. Sciences Bldg., Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409. Impact of Improved Landscape Quality and Tree Cover on the Price of Single-family Homes. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 27(1):24-30, March 2009.

Howard Supnik is Principal of Howard Jay Supnik Landscape Architect in Lititz, Pennsylvania. His work can be found at www.howardjaysupnik.com

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