Benefits of Plants in the Landscape

It almost seems unnecessary to ask, ‘What are the benefits of plants in the landscape?’ let alone write an entire blog post about it.

                “They look pretty and smell good!”

That’s reason enough to add plants to your existing yard or new landscaping project! When it comes down to it, most landscape projects are about beautifying a property anyhow. But what are some benefits of plants that go beyond mere aesthetics?

Ecology

Chances are you have a lawn, which technically is a plant, and usually considered the bare minimum in terms of site vegetation but doesn’t really add a lot in terms of ecological value. The lawn doesn’t provide much in the way of animal habitat, pollinator food, or runoff abatement. By using additional plants and trees (Especially species native to Minnesota) you can attract more native birds, butterflies, and other animals to your property, increasing its overall ecological health and attractiveness. Also, just by adding trees and larger plants, the subsequent shade will create a cooler environment in the Summer, lowering air conditioning costs and making your yard more welcoming and hospitable.

Privacy

Even in a suburban development with a generous yard, there might be portions of your property which lack the privacy you want. It may not be desirable to add a fence to only a small portion of your yard that feels too open, or, is dominated by the second story of a neighbor’s house. Large shrubs (Limelight Hydrangea for example), fast growing/columnar trees (Dakota Pinnacle Birch or Skyrocket Juniper) can plug these holes quickly and economically while adding visual appeal without the headache of trying fruitlessly to get a permit for a twenty foot tall fence to screen that nearby second story.

Human Physical and Psychological Health

Did you know that spending time in nature makes you healthier? Going for a walk outside reduces anxiety, blood pressure, depression, and a number of other ailments. Merely being around natural settings, including vegetation and animal life, has much the same effect. Large enough plants can provide barriers and respite from a busy road or all too harsh street lighting that might be impacting your sleep. Plus, they provide a natural beauty that a harsh, angular fence doesn’t have.

Increases Property Value

Most improvements to your property increase its value in some way whether it’s an irrigation system, new paver patio, or outdoor lighting—and plants are no different! A thoughtfully placed hedge, or cluster of young trees can add aesthetic and property value to your house that grows as the years pass. Ten years later when you’re ready to move, the inexpensive small trees you had installed so long ago are now a size that would be significantly more expensive to plant. They will be providing shade, privacy, beauty, and value far beyond their original price tags.

Runoff and Erosion Mitigation

Lawns do have a certain charm all their own, but one thing they don’t excel at is dealing with erosion and excess water runoff. Water from even a moderate rain event can overwhelm the lawn’s capacity to absorb it. Our lawns also have a notably poor ability to resist erosion, especially on sloped areas. This is where other plants can really excel. Many shrubs have larger roots which divert water deep into the ground where they like to access it. The root systems of shrubs, trees, and tall grasses are better at retaining soil and impeding erosion than typical lawns.

Native tallgrasses (Of which many great looking decorative varieties exist!) famously have roots extending down several feet into the Earth. These roots conduct water down their length into the soil farther than a standard lawn can. Furthermore, as these die and are replaced by new ones (The grass is doing this constantly), they leave thousands of long, thin, voids in the soil which absorbs even more water along with air, keeping the soil aerated as well.

If you have a low point on your property’s lawn where water always collects and pools, you can add a low maintenance rain garden. There are shrubs and trees that can handle standing water that also look great: Red Osier Dogwood, Joe-Pye Weed, and Fire-Spire American Hornbeam come to mind among many others.

Seasonal Variation

It’s evident enough when the seasons change here in Minnesota. But when Spring is marked by the flowering of your crab apple trees, or when the dormant Winter landscape is punctuated by bright red branches of dogwood poking out of the snow, is when plants seem to add the most to the landscape. A simple plant palette consisting of just even half a dozen different species can be orchestrated so that each season they bring something striking and beautiful to your property.

They Look Pretty and Smell Good

Bringing more beauty to the landscape is all the justification you need to add more plants to your property. But in case you need more there are always additional benefits! For more help in finding individual plants that match your needs just stop by and visit the Hartman Garden Center here in Victoria, MN (Don’t forget to visit the antique barn and garden that we moved here from Indiana). If you have bigger dreams in mind for your yard or want to reap all the possible benefits of adding more greenery to a bigger project, don’t hesitate to schedule a meeting with one of our great designers.