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The art of landscaping

Creating an enjoyable outdoor living space adds more than just equity

Many La Plata County residents don’t even have to step off their property to enjoy the outdoors – they can do it from the comfort of their own backyards.

And by polishing their outdoor space and designing customized backyard sanctuaries, they even may be increasing their property value.

Most local real estate agents say the first thing a client notices when viewing a property is the yard and exterior of the home, or the “curb appeal.” And when it comes to finding the perfect home, potential buyers’ first impressions can weigh heavily in their decision-making process, they say.

Tom Wegs, owner of Durango Landscaping Co., said landscaping is a cost-effective way to add curb appeal. Also, Durango’s climate, with many warm, sunny days, provides people with the opportunity to design and enjoy their outdoor living space, he said.

It also is possible to have an appealing yard through cost-effective and environmentally friendly means. Landscaping companies can help homeowners reduce their water usage with eco-friendly landscaping.

“Most people end up using more water if they don’t use a sprinkler system,” Wegs said.

Durango Landscaping Co. has worked on several major jobs in the area, including projects at Fort Lewis College, Chapman Hill, the city of Durango, Durango-La Plata County Airport, the La Plata County Fairgrounds and several residential homes, Wegs said.

About 60 percent of his landscaping business involves commercial properties with the rest being homes, he said. Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for landscaping because of the weather.

The company’s projects can range from installation of waterfalls, ponds and retaining walls to installing sprinkler systems (with conservation in mind), fire features and gardens.

Xeriscaping, because it requires little to no irrigation, is a popular request for landscapers.

Allison Scarpella, who owns Down to Earth Gardening & Landscaping Inc. with her husband, Brian, said customers tend to want to add color and dimension to their landscapes. They want trees and shrubs of different sizes to add diversity. Garden beds can be topped off with mulch, giving them a “face-lift” of sorts, she said.

In addition, the company encourages customers to add hardscapes such as pathways, patios and retaining walls to their outdoor living space.

A new trend, Scarpella said, is adding water features and fire pits to backyards, especially during this time of year when people want to spend time outside.

The couple has owned the landscaping business for 15 years and have experienced waves of ups and downs through the years. However, the last four years have been busy, with each year exceeding the previous one.

Outdoor living space adds more to a home than property value and picture-perfect looks. People are expanding their outdoor living spaces because they want to be outside and see the butterflies and the birds, Scarpella said. Her company likes to use plants to attract birds and butterflies and to smell good. A popular plant for local residents is lavender because of its pleasant scent.

“It makes people happier, seeing the greenery and various colors,” Scarpella said.

Sue Herlihy, manager of Durango Nursery & Supply Inc., said popular purchases at her business are flowering shrubs such as potentilla – which bloom all summer in yellow, white or pink – and various ornamental grasses. Brush and sage also are in high demand, she said.

One recommendation to keep a home’s landscape appealing is to have plants blooming in every season, Herlihy said. Plants with fall colors are really nice, too, she said.

Generally, customers have a some idea about what type of plants they want – plants that grow in the shade or are of a certain height – and then receive guidance from nursery employees to find the perfect plant for their home.

Currently, the most sought-after plant is Russian sage, Herlihy said, which blooms in the first part of July until frost.

“I do think having constant color is important to keep your yard beautiful,” she said.

vguthrie@durangoherald.com



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