Staging is to make your property look good to people shopping for homes. When you look up staging ideas on the Internet, tips generally include terms like, "tricks" and "fluffing".(Isn't fluffing a term from pornography sets?) Tips include: Place flowers in two large pots flanking entryway" or "Hang flowers or ferns." So while these might improve the moment of entry for buyers, they don't in fact add value to the property. When the frenzied real estate market was at its peak in New York City, landscaping wasn't necessary. But as things cooled off, real estate agents started contacting gardeners to help them fix up a place. A friend of mine, a gardener in Brooklyn Heights, was repeatedly contacted by agents. At first she was excited by the prospect, but quickly learned that many of them were paying for the plantings themselves and didn't really want an installation that would last for years and improve over time, but rather a few plants that looked good while showing the place. Since payment for the landscaping came out of the agent's pocket, they wanted to spend as little as possible.

In contrast to this, real estate appraisers estimate that good landscape design increases property value 15 percent. As far as plants go, large trees are the slowest to establish but add the greatest value to property. In a city, large trees might cast so much shade that a smaller, ornamental variety is more desirable. Try a native dogwood, cascading cherry tree, birches are always nice, or go for a fruiting tree such an apricot or pear, which have beautiful flowers in the springtime and fruit in the fall. Keep shrubs healthy and pruned so they don't look too wild and have a nice array that are blooming or have structural interest throughout the four seasons. As far as perennials go, it's suggested that you photograph them when they are at their showiest, and then present these pictures to prospective buyers. Other features such as irrigation systems and bluestone patios drastically increase your property value. Also keep in mind that when garden designers install hardscape and trees, shrubs, and perennials, these are considered capital improvements, frequently they are tax deductible. Annuals and bulbs, like tulips that don't return year after year are not deductible. (I had a rather humorous conversation with a New York State Tax man about this. He told me that bulbs are not considered Capital Improvement as they are annuals, and I said, 'what about daffodils, they come back year after year," to which I got a "look lady, just read the tax book."