Plants are “givers” – to you, your family, your office, and your community by offering environmental, economic, mental, and physical benefits. Sure, flowers, shrubs, trees are beautiful, but they are so much more. Below are six reasons that show how plants are more than just pretty.
Plants make a community more inviting, safer, healthier, and prosperous. Plants at town gateways are great “welcome mats,” greeting visitors, potential new residents, and employers. Strategically placed plants deter litter, graffiti, and crime, making neighborhoods and downtowns cleaner and safer, and reducing costs. Attractively landscaped areas shout the presence of people who care. Statistically, the more plants you have, the lower the crime rates. Interesting median plantings or borders along roads can help calm drivers, slow traffic, and even designate thoroughfares or parking areas.
In addition to making your home look attractive, a well-kept landscape adds to your property value and helps to sell your house more quickly. Adding to your landscape is the only home improvement – inside or out – that will add a value GREATER than what you spend. That’s a lot of return on your investment.
Plants assist in controlling stormwater runoff by mitigating water pollution, stabilizing soil (by reducing wind, water, and soil erosion) and reducing light pollution when used as a screen.
The old saying is: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today.” Statistics from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) indicate that trees clean the air by removing pollution and fossil fuel emissions; help to clean our drinking water; lower surface and air temperatures through shading; provide beneficial wildlife habitat; offer privacy; reduce noise; and so much more.
Vegetables blend with flowers and shrubs. You don’t need a dedicated “veggie” garden in the back corner of your yard to enjoy the fresh flavors of homegrown food. Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your vegetables.
More and more schools are discovering that gardens on the school grounds can enhance every part of the curriculum while engaging teachers and students in the joys of gardening. Studies show that being around plants helps students improve concentration, boost creativity, improve memory, enhance health, and improve grades.
