Staging: Curb Appeal Best Buys for Landscaping

When it comes to curb appeal, you can't say enough about its importance in selling your home. It's what makes for that magazine worthy photo that gets people to click your listing on Zillow. It's what makes them fall in love with your home the minute they pull up to look at it. Whether your home is charming, stately, characterful, or sleek and modern, it's got to make a good impression.
Having said that, there are definitely some places that are better than others for investing your staging budget. I've discussed before the importance of a freshly painted door, a nice Welcome mat, etc. and now some thoughts on landscaping.
First and foremost, your yard needs to be clean and tidy just like your house. If you have existing landscaping, this is the time to cut back anything that is overgrown, remove anything that is dead, and replace mulch that looks sparse or decrepit.
But what if you are like a recent client of mine who didn't have any landscaping to speak of? or what if you clean up and cut back and find things looking a little sparse? Of course most people's first inclination is to drive to the garden center and buy a bunch of bushes and plants, but anyone who has done that knows it adds up very quickly, and if you are moving away and your house will be shown vacant, all that money is likely to go to waste without regular watering. So what's a seller to do?
First off, a reality check. The cold hard truth is that a lot of modern buyers aren't really into gardening and landscaping. They have jobs, children, and social lives that take up their time so they are looking for a home that is low maintenance. This is good news for the seller as it means not having to break the bank (or the back) planting a bunch of bushes and shrubs. A few well placed plants along with other garden items that don't require care are almost always enough to do the trick. Oh, and there is a trick: HEIGHT.
The "taller" a plant is, the more it gives the illusion of established landscaping. You also want a variety of heights to make your "landscaping" visually interesting. Unfortunately, the taller or bigger a plant is when you buy it, the more expensive it will be. So to save money, we cheat.

1. Hanging plants. The fastest way to add height to your landscaping and a sense of shade and privacy to a porch is hanging plants. If you don't have a porch, shepherd's hooks or decorative wall brackets are great ways to get those plants up in the air. This is a great cheat for houses without established trees.
2. Tall containers. Ok, I know tall containers can cost over $100, so again, we cheat. Buy a 13 gallon trash can, paint it a pretty color with spray paint that will adhere to plastic, punch some drain holes in the bottom, put a brick or some gravel in the bottom to make it more stable, turn a smaller trash can upside down and place inside, then fill the remaining space with potting soil. Add a tall plant such as rosemary in the center and trailing plants such as petunias or alyssum around the edges. Two rectangular cans painted in a bright color on either side of the door is perfect for a mid-century modern, while a round can painted in copper or bronze can add a sculptural element to the gardens of more traditional homes. Another great cheat is to use a glue like E-6000 to attach to inexpensive pots together at the base to create an urn.
      Hint, this is a great cheat for replacing a dead bush or shrub, especially if you want to maintain a sense of symmetry.
2. Plant stands. Another great way to add height to your plants by a front door or in the garden is a plant stand. Luckily, there are many inexpensive and attractive versions available from Wal-Mart, Dollar Stores, etc. but you can save even more money by thinking outside of the box. My favorite cheat is an old chair painted with leftover paint or a can of mis-tint from the local hardware store. Chairs are almost always readily available at yard sales, thrift stores, and on the road side. Really any object that gets your plant off the ground will work.
4. Fake plants. If you just don't have time to care for plants, there is nothing wrong with faking it. Just don't go overboard. Avoid fake flowers as they look, well, fake. Stick to greenery and keep the number low. A couple of fake hanging ferns, a faux topiary, or a fake ficus strung with fairy lights on a timer is all you really need to add some green to your home. Fake ivy and succulents make cute accents when set on a patio table. "Planting" them in pots with real dirt and paying attention to the style of container adds to the illusion. Again, dollar stores and second hand stores are your friend.
5. Matching pots. Even if they are inexpensive, having a grouping of different height matching pots is a great way to fill in an empty spot and add visual interest. 3 grouped together can take the place of a shrub and another in the same style pot set on a step or next to the door will draw the buyer in.

Finally, remember that you don't have to rely on plants for curb appeal. I once saw a bird bath at a mid-century home that was literally a cinder block standing on end with a metal pan from the feed store glued on to the top of it. There was a pretty round rock in the center for the birds to perch on. I couldn't tell you what else was in that garden because I was so struck by the simplicity of that object. It fit perfectly with the style of the home. A couple of old chairs painted pretty colors might be all the front porch of a cottage needs.

When it comes to staging in regards to landscaping and curb appeal, the formula is simple. Don't panic. Make it clean and tidy. Consider the style of your home. Add appropriate elements if necessary to draw people in. Be creative. Save money. The best part: you can use your new plants and accessories at your next home if you want to!