Not all home improvements will increase the value of your home by the amount you invest. However, according to Money magazine, well-done landscaping has an average return on investment of at least 100% and up to as much as 200%. Compare the return on a landscaping investment to the average return on a kitchen overhaul at 75% to 135%, and a bathroom renovation at 80% to 120%. Investing in your landscaping is money well spent!

Real estate professionals agree that well-designed and installed landscaping adds curb appeal, attracting potential buyers. Studies show that homes with attractive landscaping may sell as much as six weeks faster. And homes with attractive landscaping are likely to see sale prices that are 4% to 5% higher compared to similar properties in the neighborhood. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, studies show that a well-designed landscape will increase the property value 10% to 30%.

Of course there are many other rewards to be gained from a well-landscaped yard even if you aren’t considering selling your home: Shade trees can help reduce air conditioning costs, as well as releasing fresh oxygen into the air; enjoying a beautiful landscape is therapeutic and improves quality of life; plantings prevent soil erosion, and can reduce noise levels.

To help you with your research in smart investing, below are a few more periodicals that provide you information on return investment of landscaping.

The Wall Street Journal reported that landscape investments are recovered fully, and sometimes are doubled by the increased real estate values. An attractive landscape can increase the value of your home by an average of 7-15% and reduce the time on the market by five to six weeks.

Spending 5% of your home’s value on landscaping could yield a return of 150% or more on your investment. Smart Money Magazine 2003.

A nicely landscaped property can increase the value of your home by 15% allowing owners to recoup 100-200% of their investment at selling time. This compares with the investment recovery rates for kitchen remodeling (75-125%) bathroom remodeling (20-120%) and swimming pool additions (20-50%). Money Magazine, February 2000.

Homeowners can expect to recover between 100 and 200 percent of the cost of a landscape installation is selling their house. Lawn and Landscape Magazine December 1999.

Landscaping can add between 7-15% to a home’s value. The Gallup Organization, 1997 U.S. Homeowner Landscaping, Lawn Care & Tree Care Survey.

As an investment, landscaping can increase the value of your property by as much as 20% if it is done well. This Old House Magazine April 2003.

Spending on landscape design and installation has more than tripled in the past five years, hitting $14.3 billion in 2002. And no wonder– it offers the best return on investment of any home improvement you can make. Money Magazine May 2003.