LANDSCAPING CREATES MOOD OUTSIDE

Steve Windeknecht, right, planted variegated liriope as Danny Wills put in a nylon-fabric weed barrier. Both work with Plants Plus.

Danny Wills planted a firepower heavenly bamboo at a residence.

Size, shape, color and arrangement of furniture are among the many elements that define the mood of a home's interior. Many of the same principles apply to a home's other living space.

"Landscaping is a feeling you get from an image or a scene you've created," observed Chris Lix, owner of Lix's Quality Nursery on Old Cape Road East.

While trees, shrubs and plants are integral ingredients in most outdoor living areas, landscaping as a subject includes many other components, such as retaining walls, decks, lighting, waterfalls, sprinkling systems, areas for entertaining and playgrounds for children.

A landscape can be formal or cozy, just as interior styling can vary. "That's why you have to layout the function of your yard," he said. "A lot of thought goes into a nice landscape."

And organized thought leads to planning, perhaps the essential element in any successful landscape.

"The biggest thing is to start out with a plan," advised Paul Schnare, owner of Sunny Hill Gardens on North Kingshighway. "If a person is going to do a landscape, the first thing is to plan. The second thing is make sure their soil conditions are good. You need to spend money, time and effort on getting a good soil developed in areas where you're going to plant."

Many local nurseries and garden centers offer design assistance on levels ranging from exact planning and execution of a landscape to in-store advice. Designers can plan a landscape with the precision that an architect plans a home. As in so many fields, technology is making inroads in landscape design. At Lix's, computer imaging allows customers to see their home and the designer's ideas.

When planning a landscape, whether it's a renovation or a brand new lawn, "it's good to go to a specialized center and at least get advice if you're going to do it yourself," said Kathy Menz, garden center assistant manager at Dona Flora Garden Shop, 1444 Independence. Seeking expert assistance can save the customer time and money, several local shop spokesmen stressed.

As with the planning of a home's interior, a little patience can go a long way. Al Franke, owner of Franke's Countryside Landscape Nursery on County Road 303, explained that even if a homeowner cannot afford to institute the entire plan at one time, "at least you have it planned."

It's that planning that can curb impulse buying, an action that can lead to dissatisfaction on the part of the homeowner, he pointed out.

Through impulse buying, Franke explained, "you can have an arboretum and you don't have a designed lawn."

Thinking ahead, too, is important in the long run, explained Franke, adding: "Think of the ultimate size and shape of the plant."

Patience also can be helpful in the establishing a lawn, noted Fred French, owner of French's Landscaping on Morgan Oak. "On a brand new lawn, it may take several years to get one established like you want it. You build it up gradually."

Experts can give money-saving advice regarding the best time of year to plant or tackle other landscaping projects. For instance, several experts noted, summer and winter are excellent times for landscape planning.

For people looking to build a new home, landscape planning takes on an added dimension. Lix said, "This should be considered before they close on the loan." Plus, the various functions of the yard should be considered when deciding just how the new structure will be placed at the site.

Too often, several nursery owners pointed out, little thought is put into landscaping until after the home is built. Conversely, statistics show that landscaping plays a vital role in the value of a home. Undeniably, "first impressions sell," Lix said.

Some estimates say 5 to 10 percent of the value of a home is in landscaping, Schnare said.

A landscaping projects, just like home remodeling or redecorating, can be a major undertaking or more moderate in scope.

Local experts encourage people about to embark on any size of landscaping project to ask questions, to seek design assistance. "Improvements can be made in every situation," Lix said.

Important information to provide a landscape designer would include lot size, the dimensions of the house, the direction the house faces and pictures of the house would be helpful, Lix advised. Plus, "I suggest people make a scrapbook, include in it what they like and don't like."

With some planning, the exterior of a home can be every bit as inviting as its interior.