Did you know that landscaping can add as much as 14% to your home’s resale value? Great landscape design not only enhances the curb appeal but may also increase the overall worth of your property. Here are 5 ways landscaping boosts the value of your home:

1. Boost in curb appeal

First, the obvious. Investing in your landscape boosts the curb appeal of your home and the community as a whole. Great design, layout, color palate, etc. can greatly complement your home’s exterior. With a wide variety of trees, shrubs and perennials to select from, the options are endless.

2. Maintenance perks

A well-maintained exterior leaves the impression of a well-cared for interior. At first glance, a beautiful landscape reflects the care and attention you put into the inside of your home. From a real estate point of view, this can definitely boost the value of your home and the community you live in.

3. Mood booster – enjoy the view!

Chances are, if you enjoy the view out your window, a positive mood will follow! It is known that after a stressful day at work, homeowners looking at a yard with a view of natural elements such as trees and flowers experience less job pressure, feel satisfied with their jobs and report fewer ailments and headaches than those who either had no outside view or could only see built elements from their windows. 

4. Environmental boost

Better air quality and sound mitigation are perks of a healthy landscape. Trees and shrubs are known to improve air quality and control excessive road noise. Bright and colorful flowers will attract pollinators, bees and hummingbirds too, encouraging a green and thriving ecosystem.

5. Better privacy

Another fun option to improve the value of your home would be to install raised planters. This adds height while creating privacy. Try planting low-maintenance shrubs and grasses like Boxwoods, Blue Arrow Juniper, Karl Forester Grasses or even Limelight Hydrangeas. Having a raised planter also leaves room to add a pop of colorful annual flowers!

Pavers have come a long way. From the traditional brick-and-mortar style you remember at grandma’s house, to the endless colors and shapes currently on the market, hardscaping has certainly changed for the better. If you are looking to enhance your outdoor space, here are a few ways to add paver technology into your landscape.

1. Walkways and Edging

Define your garden beds with edging pavers to create a unique border around existing plants and shrubs. Edging protects plants from weeds and excess grass and, when paired with a paver-walkway, it reduces muddy foot-traffic.

2. Driveways

Add a colorful paver border to an existing asphalt driveway or replace the asphalt entirely for a completely updated look. There are endless color combinations and textures to match the architecture of your home, and new manufacturing options help the pavers keep their shape and color for years to come.

3. Retaining Walls & Steps

Retaining walls are great for sloped areas where the land may not be suitable for a garden or other landscaping. Staircases can also be constructed out of pavers, most often capped with ledgestone for a sleek finish.

4. Fire Pits & Grills

There’s nothing more inviting than a cozy fire! Textured pavers can be used to build a sunken fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Match the pavers with the color of your siding and add accent stone for a completely custom design. Most pavers are often heat-resistant and ideal for backsplashes or accent walls in outdoor kitchens, grills and bar settings.

5. Outdoor Seating

Pavers make beautiful seating areas. Construct single benches or use ledgestone to cap existing retaining walls, saving money (and space) on outdoor furniture.

6. Water Features & Poolscapes

Whether you live in the suburbs or on acres of land, water features add a unique focal point to your landscape. Smooth, permeable pavers are a common selection around built-in pools, as they dry quickly and are less prone to seasonal damage. Elegant waterfalls can be added in and around existing pools, or use pavers to build stand-alone waterfalls near natural ponds or man-made bodies of water.

Autumn includes more than general yard cleanup and winter landscape prep. If you're a planner and want to see lots of color in your flowerbeds this spring, try planting a selection of bulbs in late September-early October. Here are some of our favorite flower varieties that, instead of seeds, start as bulbs and are ready for the fall planting season:

Tulips- The tulip bulb produces flowers when spring-like temperatures arrive, and they are available in almost every color imaginable. Tulips can be placed randomly in your garden or as a colorful border.

Iris- Irises are very beneficial to springtime flowers, as they attract pollinators early in the season.

Crocus- This flower (pictured below) is usually the first to blossom in the spring! These tiny flowers add a big pop very early in the season.

Daffodils- Look out for sprouts starting in early March, with white and yellow blooms by April.

Lilies- Tiger lilies are our favorite! They smell beautiful and lily flowers will typically continue blooming until mid-summer.

When selecting which bulbs to plant, a good rule of thumb is the larger the bulb, the bigger the stems and blooms will be. Make sure to plant the bulbs before the ground freezes. Another good practice when planting bulbs is to dig the soil about 2-3 times as deep as the bulb is in length. This way, the bulb will remain protected from extreme cold throughout the winter. It's also a good idea to add mulch over your planting area for optimal protection.

Living in Michigan means a full four seasons of unpredictable weather. Some landscapes often look gorgeous in the warmer months, but tend to fall a little flat by winter. Lucky for us in our hardiness zone, there are a few plants that will contribute to a beautiful landscape all year-round!

1.  In Michigan, purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is a wonderful option when looking for a plant with all-season interest. In the spring, they produce bright-medium green foliage with leaves that are perfectly horizontal and cascade down the branch. In the early summer, this shrub produces clumps of pinkish-white flowers that are delicate and petite in nature.  As summer turns to fall, the foliage turns to a yellowish color and vibrant clumps of purple berries appear on the branches that persist through the winter, even once the leaves are gone.

2.  Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a shade-loving shrub that also has attractive qualities all four seasons in Michigan. This hydrangea has medium-green textured oak-like leaves and beautiful conical white flower blooms. In the fall, this plant exhibits brilliant orange, red, and burgundy color. The most noticeable trait about this plant in the winter is its orange-brown shaggy bark. Oakleaf hydrangea provides a lot of texture to a winter landscape and undeniable beauty throughout the rest of the seasons!

3.  Coral bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku') is a stimulating tree option when trying to achieve all-season interest. This tree has fire engine red bark and a sharp, seven lobed leaf with bright green color. In autumn, the bright green leaves turn a striking yellow-orange color that is a great focal point for a fall landscape. In the winter, the branches take center stage and provide a nice pop of color during some of the duller months.

These are just a few options to incorporate into an all-season landscape in Michigan. To work with our award-winning design team on your next landscape project, please contact us.

Should I install sod or plant seed? It's a common question with a somewhat complex answer. There are benefits to both options; this information may help you decide.

Sod is usually chosen by homeowners in a new build process as it is often a requirement of the homeowner's association. A clear advantage of sodding over seeding is the immediate aesthetic improvement of the property. In addition, the flexibility of being able to walk on and use the new turf areas within only a few weeks is desirable to most everyone.

Washout can be an issue with a new sod installation on a steep hill, although the sod can be staked to help prevent this. Depending on the quality of the existing soil in your yard, additional topsoil may not be necessary.  It is difficult, however, to keep sod alive in an area that does not get at least four hours of sunlight a day. So, if you want to install sod in a shady area, over-seeding with a shade-tolerant seed may be required to keep the area from thinning. Consistent watering is necessary with new sod. I would not recommend installing sod if you do not have an irrigation system or a lot of daily time to water until it becomes established. For the health of new sod, it will require 4-6 fertilization applications per year.

There are many instances where grass seed is the better option. For extremely large areas or very small areas, seeding works great. Also, there is a large selection of seed to choose from which helps in difficult areas. Seed works much better than sod for shady areas and is a much quicker process that requires less water and does not require an irrigation system. 

There are several things to consider before you install seed; the main one being its germination rate. To obtain a lush lawn, it may take several months and multiple seeding applications. Seed can easily wash away with heavy rains; therefore, it is recommended that an erosion blanket be applied in necessary locations and conditions. For the best results, topsoil should be installed before any seed application. 

In the end, there is not much of a price difference between seed and sod when you factor in the fertilization and topsoil requirements. The choice is up to you and what works best for your situation.   

Picture yourself sitting in your favorite chair, relaxing in your yard, watching butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy your colorful flower garden. If this sounds terrific to you, we suggest you consider planting for the pollinators. They're easy to attract; here are some tips. 

A pollinator garden includes vibrant flowers that are often native to the area or part of the natural environment. These gardens provide a great source of nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. The flowers tend to be brightly-colored with a pleasant scent. Not only are pollinator gardens visually appealing, but these creatures will remember the scent and location of your garden and return regularly throughout the season. These gardens help our environment too by sustaining pollinator populations that work hard helping to produce over one-third of the foods we eat including fruits, vegetables, nuts and greens. 

Tips for attracting your pollinator guests:

If there are specific types of pollinators you are interested in drawing to your garden, think about their favorite types of nectar. Butterflies are attracted to plants such as common milkweed, butterfly weed, hollyhock, lilacs, marigold and petunias. Honey bees enjoy the nectar of sunflowers, coneflowers, lavender, black-eyed Susan and peony. Hummingbirds tend to go for phlox, cardinal flower, catmint, lily, snapdragon and zinnia.

Planting a healthy mix of these flower varieties will draw an abundance of pollinators to your outdoor living space. Another option – because natural and native flowers are always a great go-to for pollinators, just planting wildflower seed mix from your local garden center can provide a nice variety of flowers that will attract with their favorite foods.

Natural flower environments are a low-maintenance, beautiful way to spruce up your landscape and add interest. The pros at D.A. Alexander & Company are always happy to assist in your next outdoor project. For more information, please contact us.

Lavender nepeta - attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds

Wave petunia, begonia, salvia, lantana, impatiens, coleus, potato vine, morning glory, purple fountain grass, king tut grass – there are a TON of annual options to include in your landscape! Seasonal plantings are extremely versatile; you can mix sizes, textures and colors to create a living work of art for your home. Whether planting in the ground or in pots, the bright, cheerful colors really bring your landscape to life. 

You can choose a monochromatic color scheme – light pink, dark pink with fuchsia. Or you could choose a complimentary color scheme – deep purple with bright orange. The options and combinations are endless! It is important to consider sunlight and watering needs when choosing your annuals, so be sure to pay attention to those aspects of your space. Once you find the right plant with the right color and look, you will want to prepare the soil for planting. 

First, start prepping your planting space by removing any weeds or debris that has gathered over the winter. Next, add organic matter to your existing soil. You can buy pre-mixed bags of potting soil or you can mix in compost or a fertilizer with your existing soil. Once the soil is prepped, you can begin planting! 

Your plant spacing will depend on what type of plant you choose. Make sure to abide by the recommended spacing, as you do not want to overcrowd your plants. Leave them room to grow and they will fill in the space nicely. Make sure you give them ample water and I recommend fertilizing throughout the season to encourage growth and flowering. 

You can change them with every season, mix colors or styles and really define your space in a way that speaks true to who you are. We all know the season in Michigan is short, but the ‘wow factor' brought by summer annuals is well worth the planting process. So, grab a flat or hanging basket and add a spark of color to your landscape! If you are more of a ‘hands off' gardener, reach out and we would be happy to help with your annual plantings! 

   

   

Utilizing vines in your landscape is a great way to obtain additional greenspace without taking up a lot of room. Vines benefit landscapes in several ways; they attract wildlife, provide vertical appeal, privacy, and shade! Personally, I prefer vines that have stunning flowers as well as landscape benefits. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris), trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), and clematis (Clematis paniculata or Clematis ‘Jackmanii') are just a few of my favorite.

Climbing hydrangea produces white flowers in the early to mid-summer that will fill your backyard with a subtle sweet scent. This vine provides great all-season interest with its bright yellow fall color and shaggy bark during the winter. 

Trumpet vine attracts many types of butterflies and hummingbirds and has striking bright orange “trumpet” shaped blooms. Just be careful with this one – it is an aggressive grower that can quickly become out of control if not maintained properly. 

Japanese wisteria has beautiful grape-like lavender colored blooms that create a weeping effect. Be sure to grow this vine on a very strong structure, since it is known to twist and destroy weak structures.

There are several different types of clematis that I would recommend. There are varieties that bloom in the spring and others that bloom in the fall. The spring bloomers tend to have large purple flowers that provides a great focal point for an outdoor living space. The fall bloomers have small white flowers that cover the vine and create the illusion of a snowfall in early September. Vines such as Mandevilla (Mandevilla sanderi) and Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) are annuals in Michigan and are a great way to add height to planters with the addition of a trellis! Both of these vines have stunning blooms that will last all summer long! 

In summary, there are several vines to choose from when looking to enhance your landscape with a new vertical focal point and benefits ranging from attractive appearance to functional use. Vines are all-around great options to include in your landscape!

We continually make quick judgements based on our first impressions. It is a normal part of being human. The same thing happens when we are looking at homes. Curb appeal, or the impression we get of a home from the street, is based on the homes facade as well as the landscaping. That's why landscaping to improve curb appeal can reap big rewards in terms of attracting customers and turning them into new home buyers.  

The most widely accepted research on how much landscaping raises the value of a home was conducted years ago by researchers at Virginia Tech. The results, published in the October 14, 2014 issue of REALTOR® magazine found that upgrading a home's landscape from average to excellent can raise its overall value by 10 to 12 percent, which translates into an additional $8,300 to $19,000 in extra profit on a modest $150,000 home. The article mentioned that Michigan homes saw the biggest difference in landscaping appeal, with a home's value being increased by 12.7 percent. "Looking at our before and after pictures would convince most skeptics of the perceived value of landscaping and landscape maintenance," said David Alexander with D.A. Alexander & Company. "Clean lines, expertly pruned shrubs, crisp-edged walkways, and a nice fresh layer of ground cover can really enhance curb appeal. The overall appearance of a well-maintained property appeals to the kind of prospective buyers that builders wish to attract."  

D.A. Alexander is a fullservice landscaping company offering landscape design, installation and maintenance services for residential, commercial and industrial properties. "I am proud that we are celebrating 40 years in business this year and we keep growing based on our reputation for quality work," said David. The firm was honored by the HBA as the 2015 Subcontractor of the Year. RJR Services, Inc., a sister company to D.A. Alexander, was also founded 40 years ago and is a recognized leader in complete facilities management including parking lot and grounds maintenance.  

Spring is the ideal time to spruce up a property to attract buyers. "Landscape crews will come in and re-cut bed edges, do shrub pruning, install annual owers and generally make the entranceways, common areas and model homes or single sites clean and beautiful," said David. "If a home is slow to sell, instead of discounting the price, builders should consider upgrading the landscape with irrigation, sod, foundation plants and larger trees." D.A. Alexander does landscape design, installation and maintenance for a number of HBA member builders. "Base landscape makes the whole community look better," said David. "We always try to create a memory point, especially with model homes. If people see how landscaping can be used to enhance the beauty of a home, they often want those koi ponds and waterfalls just like the model has. Builders can offer landscape packages as an option. Another advantage of having professional landscaping done is that our designers, arborists and master gardeners have the knowledge to design landscapes to mature correctly. We are focused on increasing the investment value of every home we landscape." 

Article written by Nancy Rozum, published in the HBA's BUILDING Business & Apartment Management magazine-May 2018