Top tips for adding greenery to your home revealed

Top tips for adding greenery to your home revealed – as research reveals almost six in 10 homeowners would pay more for a property with a flourishing garden

Research reveals 57 per cent of people will pay more for a homes with flourishing gardens complete with natural greenery
62 per cent say a well-maintained front garden makes a property attractive
Almost two thirds of homeowners reveal they are worried about the loss of greenery in gardens
Over three quarters are willing to change their gardening habits
Over three in 10 admit they would enjoy gardening more if they had technology to help them

Top tips for adding greenery to your home revealed

New research by Honda UK Power Equipment has revealed that 57 per cent of people say they will pay more for a home with a flourishing garden with natural greenery.

The survey of UK homeowners revealed that prospective home buyers look for a tidy front garden above all else, with 62 per cent saying a well-maintained front garden makes a property attractive, above other factors such as the condition of the roof (50 per cent) or walls (47 per cent).

The increasingly green-fingered public could look to nature to ensure their homes stand out, as almost two thirds of homeowners reveal they are worried about the loss of greenery in gardens. Those who do invest their time in gardening are likely to reap the benefits, as a huge three quarters of those surveyed said they preferred natural grass to artificial alternatives.

Garden designer and RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold winner Kate Gould said: “Gardens are the natural wealth of a property and create the first and last impression for potential buyers.

“If a garden has some nicely maintained greenery, it’s far more likely to stand out. With so many artificial alternatives on offer – which don’t always reduce maintenance levels – the appeal of a green space can soon be lost.

“We mustn’t forget what role our green spaces play beyond looking aesthetically pleasing. It’s all about balancing practicality with a shared goal of not forgetting about nature.”

Being green can become easier with the help of technology

However, many say it is not easy being green, with a lack of knowledge about plants (26 per cent), too much physical involvement (21 per cent) and a lack of time (19 per cent) among the barriers to adding more natural greenery to our gardens.

And while one in five say that cutting the grass is the most time-consuming part of maintaining their lawn, over three in 10 admit they would enjoy gardening more if they had technology to help them.

Honda Power Equipment offers a range of products, such as the robotic Honda Miimo lawnmower to help time-challenged gardeners achieve a tidy lawn.

The Honda Miimo allows allows users to schedule operating days and times, and to adjust the cut height. Monitoring is also made easy with Bluetooth connection and a smartphone app which enables users to carry out other activities while their grass is cut.

Steve Morris, Head of Power Equipment at Honda said: “We know life is busier than ever, and this often stops us from keeping a garden green. However, technology is on our side.

“Through intuitive features like full autonomy, automatic charging and micro-mulching, tech can take some of those time-consuming tasks away from us, so we can focus on what we love about gardens – even if that’s just relaxing in one.”

Green is in

Despite this, 77 per cent are willing to change their gardening habits, with almost half prepared to create more habitats for wildlife, a further four in 10 wishing to invest in planting native plants and over a third saying they would introduce more natural greenery such as lawned areas, shrubs and trees.

Kate Gould said: “Lawns can sometimes be seen as static and sterile, but a beautifully cared for real lawn sets off a garden wonderfully and there is nothing nicer than walking barefoot across grass or the aroma of newly mown grass in summer.

“If you have space and the right conditions, then a lawn will be the most cost-effective way of covering ground in your garden. It will give you somewhere to sit and relax on and play games on as well as acting as the perfect foil to a beautiful planting scheme.”

Honda’s Miimo 3000 Live features 3G & 4G technology, GPS tracking and geo-fencing, with connectivity costs are included for the first six years. The robotic lawnmowers can now work as a fleet to tackle larger grass areas together.

For further information on Honda’s robotic mowers, please visit www.honda.co.uk/lawn-and-garden/Gardens.html

Garden designer Kate Gould’s top tips for adding greenery to your garden

Add greenery that lasts all year to create a backbone of structure which will create interest in even the dullest of winter months.
Plant with pollinating insects in mind. Not only do these plants look (and often) smell wonderful it will be beneficial for the planet.
Create a real lawn. There is no comparison to artificial.
Planting trees is one of the easiest ways to green a space and their presence add enormously to the visual appreciation of our exterior spaces.
Consider planting herbs and salad crops in plants near your kitchen or barbecue. They will provide a fresh source to cut and harvest throughout the summer.
Make sure you consider your health when gardening. Raised beds are good options for the young, elderly or those with mobility issues.
Plant with a view to a warmer planet; Palms, Cycads and other tropical plants add texture and interest all year.
Tending and caring for your plants is proven to be beneficial for you too so water and feed, prune and tidy and you will be all the better for you.
Consider permeable surfaces to aid water runoff. Gravel not only looks lovely but is inexpensive to install.
Take time to enjoy the fruits of your labours. Gardening is hard work so relaxing and unwinding in the space you create is time to be cherished.