Landscaping
Regardless of where you live, how much space you have, and what your experience level is, you can enjoy landscape design with help from the Web. Landscaping is not only fun to plan and implement, but if done well, it can even reduce your energy costs, provide years of comfort and enjoyment, and increase the value of your home. Start planning your landscaping project on the Web by looking through photos for ideas as well as researching specific design principles, features, and types of plants. You’ll find useful blogs and forums for sharing tips and advice, and can even locate a nearby landscaper if the project seems too daunting to tackle on your own.
Expand All Guide SectionsLandscaping Ideas
For most people, the best (or easiest) part of landscaping is imagining the design you want to ... read more »
Landscaping Plants
Different plants thrive in different environments, and they require varying amounts of water, care, food, and sunlight. Use the following resources to learn which plants will work best in your climate.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you’re spending lots of time designing your home or garden to include certain types of plants, be sure that you select plant types that will grow and thrive in the years to come—not those that will wilt or wither after just a few seasons.
- Landscaping projects can be expensive, but if you think ahead, you can use different plants and features to save yourself money in the long run. The U.S. Department of Energy offers advice for energy efficient landscaping.
- Often, greenhouses and landscape supply centers employ master gardeners and experienced landscapers. Try to visit and speak to a knowledgeable staffer for advice that applies directly to your climate and location.
- You’ll find additional resources to help you choose climate-appropriate plants in our findingDulcinea Gardening Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For learning about climate …
Garden.org
represents the National Gardening Association, a nonprofit organization that offers plant-based education. Enter your zip code into this interactive feature for tips on what grows best in your climate and how to best make your garden grow. The site also helps you locate public gardens in your area and notifies you of gardening events happening near you.
For specific landscaping plants and features …
Derek Fell’s Garden Photo Library
is an outstanding resource for viewing flowers and plants. Browse categories, including annuals, trees, orchids, cacti, and many more. Photos include name and type, for example perennial Stapelia grandiflora starfish flower succulent.
Garden.org
also provides plant finders to help you decide what to use in your landscape design. Search by USDA zone, or by various qualities, including color and season of bloom. Your search results will give detailed characteristics and photos of each plant.
Northscaping.com
offers this Info Zone, with articles to help you incorporate various plants and features into your landscape design. Search for articles on specific topics or landscape features of interest. You’ll find a good variety of information and photos that detail specific types of plants and vines, along with user forums with first-hand user advice.
DoItYourself.com
offers a section of articles about using grasses in your landscape design. The section also has a few articles about other features, such as moss, herbs, and creating walkways.
For landscaping features to increase the value of your home …
CNN Money
offers seven landscaping tips and features that may help increase the value of your home. Advice is directed toward those who plan to sell their home within a year, and want to make quick, relatively easy improvements. You’ll also find tips to make lasting changes that will appreciate over time, such as creating angles and privacy with trees.
To use the best of the best plants …
The U.S. National Arboretum
explains how plant awards and recommendations are determined, and discusses how to incorporate winning plants into your landscape. You can link to a list of the Arboretum’s own “Gold Medal Plants,” or browse the list of links to regional award sites, such as “Urban Tree of the Year.”
Landscape Design
Now that you have an idea of what landscape design you’d like and which plants you’d ... read more »
Landscaping Forums and Blogs
Blogs and forums offer a full gamut of candid advice and information: you’ll find those that ... read more »
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