Add special effects for curb appeal

(NC)-You don't have to be a seasoned gardener to look like one, nor do you need to go out of your way for a superb look. A great way to give your front lawn, and your house, attractive curb appeal is to landscape, versus having a completely grass filled lawn which takes a lot of cutting and care. Landscaping or border gardening is also attractive for large back yards that need some definition. If you're selling your house, this is an appealing way to enhance and add value to your property and to increase your selling price.

It is easy to create curb appeal interest - and a garden that is easy to care for with a variety of green colours. Some ideas include ivy ground cover, ferns and lush green plants like hostas. Many are perennial plants, and will require little maintenance, too. For sparks of bright colour, you can add a few urns containing fuchsia or a front line of impatiens, marigolds, or pansies providing interest and contrast to your green backdrop. Try adding an exciting upright plant like the Cordyline australis 'Sundance' or 'Red Star' for height, texture and colour.

Depending on the light and soil of your garden, you would need to choose the plants that would work best in your temperature zone. To find out what zone you're in, visit www.fernlea.com and get all the landscaping details you need to define your lawn in an appealing way.