Spring is the time to plot and plan – at least for the Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy. With the bleak mid-winter behind and the promise of summer ahead, spring is the ideal time for preparation and change. That's why, for many people, spring also makes for the perfect season to move.
While there are a multitude of ways to prepare your home for the market, springtime will see you thinking outside the four walls of your property itself. The garden will be just as important to many prospective buyers. Follow our handful of low-maintenance landscaping tips and see the appeal of your property grow as healthily as the contents of your patch.
You don't necessarily need to get your hands dirty with a shovel and garden fork in order to get more from your outside space. Container plants can be used for decoration, and offer both a simple way to achieve visual texture and break up greens with colour.
The beauty of containers is that plants can be bought pre-planted and already in a state of maturity. All that remains is to choose a low maintenance variety that complements your outdoor space, and wait for the compliments to roll in.
Much of the maintenance necessary when gardening revolves around keeping plants watered. It stands to reason, then, that those seeking a low-maintenance landscaping option is to use hard, dry materials where possible. Spreading stone or bark across the ground can add a touch of interest to the garden without introducing the constant need for care. Decking areas can also cut down on hard work, at the same time as offering a valuable space in which to socialise and entertain.
Not all plants need to be hard work if you know how to select them wisely. Seek varieties that blossom early in the springtime, or pre-planted containers or pots that boast colourful textures already.
If you're wondering what to plant in spring, Hostas are a fantastic choice for those looking to fill out beds with a bit of greenery. They can be planted out any time from autumn right through until the end of spring, and will last through the summer with very little attention.
Done right, just a little low-maintenance landscaping in your garden can add considerable value to your property. Browse the Engel & Völkers outdoor living pages for further inspiration on ways to get the most from your home when putting it on the market.
