When it comes to increasing your home’s value, most people think of remodeling kitchens or adding square footage. But one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make is in your landscaping. A well-planned garden can add curb appeal, make a property feel more inviting, and even raise a home’s selling price by $5,000 or more. In fact, studies have shown that landscaping improvements can add between 5% and 12% to a property’s value, often with far less investment than big interior renovations.
The secret is choosing plants that not only look beautiful but also signal to potential buyers that the home has been cared for. These plants offer a high return on investment because they create instant visual impact, improve first impressions, and in some cases, reduce future maintenance costs. Here are over 15 landscaping plants that can make buyers fall in love before they even step inside.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are famous for their large, colorful blooms and ability to fill a space with lush beauty. When planted near entryways or along walkways, they create a welcoming atmosphere that can increase perceived home value by $1,000 to $1,500 simply through enhanced curb appeal. Buyers often associate hydrangeas with charm and established gardens, which can make a property stand out.
The best part about hydrangeas is their versatility. They come in shades of blue, pink, white, and purple, allowing you to match them to your home’s exterior. Low maintenance and long blooming periods make them a top pick for landscaping upgrades that pay off during a sale.
Japanese Maple
A Japanese maple can be a true showstopper in any yard, adding elegance and sophistication. A mature specimen can increase a home’s value by $1,500 to $2,000 due to its striking color, shape, and rarity in many residential landscapes. It signals to buyers that the property has been thoughtfully designed and well-maintained.
Japanese maples thrive in partial shade and can be shaped into a variety of forms, making them adaptable to different yard styles. Their slow growth rate means they maintain their beauty for decades, offering long-term visual appeal.
Boxwood Hedges
Boxwood hedges create structure and a sense of order, which buyers often interpret as high-end landscaping. Professionally maintained boxwoods can add $1,000 or more in perceived value because they give the impression of a manicured, cared-for property.
They can be shaped into clean lines for a formal look or left more natural for a softer border. Their evergreen foliage ensures year-round appeal, which is important for home showings in all seasons.
Lilacs
Lilacs bring both beauty and fragrance, two qualities that make a garden memorable. A healthy, mature lilac bush can raise a home’s value by $500 to $1,000 simply because of the positive emotional response it triggers in potential buyers. The blooms also signal a mature, established landscape.
Buyers often imagine themselves enjoying the scent from an open window or while relaxing in the yard, which can subtly encourage higher offers. Lilacs are also low maintenance, which adds to their appeal.
Dogwood Trees
Dogwood trees offer stunning spring flowers and rich fall foliage, making them valuable year-round. A mature dogwood can add $1,000 to $1,500 in perceived value by framing the home with seasonal beauty.
Their moderate size makes them perfect for both front and back yards, adding vertical interest without overwhelming the space. Buyers love that they attract pollinators while remaining relatively easy to maintain.
Roses
A well-kept rose garden immediately communicates care, tradition, and charm. Roses can add $500 to $1,000 in perceived value, especially if they are positioned near the front of the property or along an entry path.
Varieties like hybrid teas and climbing roses can create dramatic visual impact. Many buyers appreciate that roses bloom over a long season, offering months of beauty after purchase.
Ornamental Grasses
Tall, swaying ornamental grasses add texture, movement, and low-maintenance greenery. They can contribute $500 to $1,000 in added value by making the landscape feel modern and intentional.
These plants are drought-tolerant and require little upkeep, which appeals to busy buyers or those looking for eco-friendly features. Planted in groups, they can also provide privacy without the cost of fencing.
Lavender
Lavender offers both beauty and practicality. Its fragrance and pollinator-friendly blooms create a sense of serenity that can add $500 to $800 in perceived value.
Because it thrives in poor soil and requires minimal water, lavender also signals low maintenance. This is a selling point for buyers who want the beauty of a garden without a high workload.
Magnolia Trees
A magnolia tree can serve as a focal point that dramatically boosts curb appeal. Large, mature magnolias can add $2,000 or more to a home’s perceived value due to their grandeur and long lifespan.
Their large, fragrant blooms are unforgettable and often evoke a sense of timeless elegance. In regions where magnolias are prized, they can be a major selling feature.
Clematis
Clematis vines can transform a plain fence or trellis into a stunning vertical garden. They can add $500 to $1,000 in perceived value because they make outdoor spaces feel lush and romantic.
With hundreds of varieties, clematis can bloom in nearly any color, offering flexibility for coordinating with the home’s exterior. They grow quickly and require little beyond regular pruning.
Peonies
Peonies are prized for their large, romantic blooms and long lifespan. A mature peony patch can add $500 to $1,000 in value by signaling a well-established garden that will continue to produce for decades.
They also have a sentimental appeal for many buyers, who associate them with elegance and tradition. Their late spring blooms often coincide with prime home-selling season, maximizing visual impact.
Cherry Trees
Cherry trees create a dramatic focal point in any yard. They can add $1,500 to $2,500 in perceived value due to their show-stopping spring blossoms and graceful branch structure. They also produce fresh fruit for buyers!
Buyers are often drawn to the romantic look of cherry trees, which can make a home feel more upscale and thoughtfully landscaped.
Hostas
Hostas are low-maintenance perennials that thrive in shady areas, making them ideal for problem spots. They can add $500 in perceived value by ensuring that no part of the yard looks neglected.
Their large, attractive leaves provide visual interest throughout the growing season, and they return year after year without replanting.
Tulips
Tulips offer a pop of vibrant color in early spring when buyers are eager to see signs of life after winter. A well-planned tulip bed can add $300 to $500 in value simply through enhanced first impressions.
Because they bloom before many other plants, tulips can be a subtle but effective way to make your property stand out during showings.
Holly Bushes
Holly bushes provide evergreen structure and bright red berries in winter, making them valuable for year-round curb appeal. They can add $500 to $1,000 in perceived value by ensuring the landscape never looks bare.
They also offer privacy and wind protection, adding practical benefits that buyers appreciate.