Can your garden add value to your home?

We all know the property market has been up for a good while now. But did you know that your garden can add value to your property?

It is important to choose the right trees and plants for your property. A leafy neighbourhood will add value to your property as the trees improve the living conditions by shading out the Summer heat, store carbon and recycle oxygen. Many trees are also visually appealing and change colour and appearance with the seasons.

However while trees do lots of good, they can also be a maintenance nightmare if chosen poorly, planted too close to your home or other buildings, or if they eventually block access or a view.

The best way to avoid this is to choose named varieties that grow to a known height and width that matches the space they will be planted in.

Deciduous trees, losing their leaves in Autumn and Winter, area great choice for suburban areas as they allow sunlight to filter into gardens during Winter and many protect houses from fire.

According to research by the online site HOMELIFE, trees that are likely to add value to your home, are attractive, easy to care for and compact include:

1. Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). Deciduous in winter with long-lasting colourful flowers from late spring to late summer. 5-7m.

2. Maples especially Japanese maples such as Acer palmatum and the larger japonica. These compact deciduous trees have vibrant autumn leaves but are best in cool to temperate gardens. 2-5m.

3. Frangipani (Plumeria rubra). Frangipanis are small succulent deciduous trees with fragrant white, pink or apricot flowers in summer and autumn. Best in temperate to tropical climates. 3-5m.

4. Evergreen ash (Fraxinus griffithii). This compact evergreen has light ferny leaves and tassles of flowers. 3-5m.

5. Named varieties of evergreen or deciduous magnolias are elegant trees. Evergreen magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) flower throughout the year and grow in most areas; deciduous magnolias (such as M. x soulangiana) flower in late winter and are best in cool to temperate zones. Size varies with cultivar.

6. There are many ornamental cherry, peach and plum trees (Prunus spp.) to bring that breathtaking cloud of pink or white spring blossom. 3-5m. In warmer zones substitute bauhinia or tabebuia. 3-5m.

7. Citrus (lemon, lime, orange or mandarin). Everyone likes a productive tree and while there are many that do well in gardens (apples, pears and even nut trees such as macadamias) citrus are universally appreciated. Evergreen. 2-5m.

However not all trees add value to your property. Despite the attractive show the Liquid-amber displays during Autumn, if these trees are planted too close to houses, driveways or underground pipes, they can be a source of unwanted costs and on going maintenance.

Evergreen conifers, especially the tall and fast growing Lyelandii cypress, gum trees of all types, especially those growing close to homes in fire prone locations are also a choice to be considered carefully.

So if you are thinking of selling now or in the future think wisely before you plant out your garden. Do your research on what plants are best suited to your area and how big they will grow to.