Planting spring flowers not only beautifies your yard. It can also raise the value of the entire property as much as 150 percent, even more than popular home improvements like kitchens and baths that cost a lot more. But it’s important to do it right.

First, select local plants for ease, simplicity, and savings in both time and money. They’re happy where they are planted, as they’ve evolved to grow efficiently in the region. Once perennial native plantings like Maidenhair fern, Black Elderberry, Meadow Rue, Wild Geranium, and Silky Dogwood have become established, they’ll add beauty and color to your yard without extra work, fertilizers, irrigation, and cost. Nurture them further by inoculating your garden soil with the proper microorganisms by adding compost or mulch. Healthy soil can help reduce water and fertilizer use by up to 50 percent. 

A well-established and maintained garden will attract plenty of VIPs—very important pollinators—flies, butterflies, moths, and beetles—who will then invite more birds, turning your front yard into the envy of your neighborhood.