7 Backyard Plants That Add Beauty and Value

Common plants found in backyards are a diverse group of species that can provide a variety of benefits to both the homeowner and the environment. These plants are often easy to care for and can add beauty, privacy, and even food to a backyard space.

Some of the most common plants found in backyards include:

Trees: Trees are a great way to add height and shade to a backyard. Some popular choices for backyard trees include maples, oaks, and pines.
Shrubs: Shrubs are smaller than trees and can be used to add privacy, create borders, or simply add color to a backyard. Some popular choices for backyard shrubs include boxwoods, hydrangeas, and azaleas.
Flowers: Flowers are a great way to add color and beauty to a backyard. Some popular choices for backyard flowers include roses, daisies, and lilies.
Vegetables: Vegetables are a great way to grow your own food and save money. Some popular choices for backyard vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
Herbs: Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your cooking. Some popular choices for backyard herbs include basil, parsley, and cilantro.

Common plants found in backyards can provide a variety of benefits, including:

Privacy: Trees and shrubs can be used to create privacy screens, which can be helpful for blocking out noise and unwanted views.
Shade: Trees can provide shade, which can be helpful for cooling down a backyard in the summer.
Beauty: Flowers and other plants can add beauty to a backyard, making it a more enjoyable place to relax and spend time.
Food: Vegetables and herbs can provide fresh, homegrown food, which can be healthier and more affordable than store-bought produce.
Wildlife habitat: Plants can provide food and shelter for wildlife, which can help to attract birds, butterflies, and other animals to your backyard.

When choosing plants for your backyard, it is important to consider the amount of sunlight, water, and space that you have available. You should also consider the purpose of the plants, whether you want them for privacy, shade, beauty, food, or wildlife habitat. With a little planning, you can choose the right plants to create a beautiful and functional backyard that you will enjoy for years to come.

1. Diversity

The diversity of plant species in a backyard is a key component of what makes it a common and desirable feature in many homes. A diverse ecosystem provides a variety of benefits, including:

Increased resilience to pests and diseases: A diverse ecosystem is more resilient to pests and diseases because there is a greater variety of plants to support a wider range of natural predators and parasites.
Improved pollination: A diverse ecosystem attracts a wider range of pollinators, which can help to improve the pollination of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Increased wildlife habitat: A diverse ecosystem provides a wider range of food and shelter for wildlife, which can help to attract birds, butterflies, and other animals to your backyard.

Here are some examples of common plants that can be used to create a diverse and functional backyard ecosystem:

Trees: Trees provide shade, privacy, and wildlife habitat. Some popular choices for backyard trees include maples, oaks, and pines.
Shrubs: Shrubs can be used to create borders, add privacy, or simply add color to a backyard. Some popular choices for backyard shrubs include boxwoods, hydrangeas, and azaleas.
Flowers: Flowers add beauty and color to a backyard. Some popular choices for backyard flowers include roses, daisies, and lilies.
Vegetables: Vegetables can be grown in a backyard to provide fresh, homegrown food. Some popular choices for backyard vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
Herbs: Herbs can be used to add flavor to cooking. Some popular choices for backyard herbs include basil, parsley, and cilantro.

By incorporating a variety of plants into your backyard, you can create a beautiful and functional space that is also beneficial to the environment.

2. Functionality

The functionality of common backyard plants is an integral aspect of their widespread use and popularity. These plants are not merely decorative elements; they offer practical benefits that enhance the overall livability and enjoyment of a backyard space.

One of the primary functions of backyard plants is to provide shade. Trees, with their expansive canopies, can create shady areas where homeowners can relax, entertain guests, or simply escape the summer heat. Similarly, shrubs and other tall plants can be strategically placed to cast shade on patios, decks, and other outdoor living areas.

Privacy is another important consideration for many homeowners, and common backyard plants can provide effective privacy screening. Densely growing shrubs and hedges can create visual barriers that block unwanted views from neighbors or passersby. Bamboo and other tall grasses can also be used to create privacy screens, adding a touch of natural beauty to the backyard.

Beyond shade and privacy, common backyard plants also provide food and habitat for wildlife. Fruit trees and berry bushes attract birds and other animals, while flowering plants provide nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies. By incorporating a variety of plants into a backyard, homeowners can create a backyard ecosystem that supports a diverse range of wildlife.

Understanding the functionality of common backyard plants is essential for homeowners who want to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space. By carefully selecting plants that meet their specific needs, homeowners can create a backyard that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

Here are some real-life examples of how common backyard plants can be used to provide functionality:

A row of arborvitae trees planted along a property line can create a privacy screen, blocking the view from a neighboring yard.
A large shade tree planted in the backyard can provide a shady spot for a patio or picnic area.
A vegetable garden can provide fresh, homegrown food for the homeowner and their family.
A butterfly garden planted with a variety of flowering plants can attract butterflies and other pollinators to the backyard.

By understanding the functionality of common backyard plants, homeowners can make informed decisions about which plants to choose for their own backyards. With a little planning, homeowners can create a backyard that is both beautiful and functional, a space that they can enjoy for years to come.

3. Aesthetics

The aesthetic appeal of a backyard is an important consideration for many homeowners, and common plants play a crucial role in enhancing the overall beauty and appeal of the space. By carefully selecting and arranging plants, homeowners can create a backyard that is both visually pleasing and inviting.

Color: Common backyard plants come in a wide variety of colors, from vibrant reds and yellows to calming greens and blues. By incorporating a variety of colors into the backyard, homeowners can create a visually stimulating and dynamic space.
Texture: Plants also have different textures, from smooth and glossy to rough and hairy. By combining plants with different textures, homeowners can create a backyard that is visually interesting and tactilely pleasing.
Form: The form of a plant refers to its overall shape and structure. Plants can be tall and stately, short and compact, or anything in between. By combining plants with different forms, homeowners can create a backyard that is visually balanced and harmonious.
Scale: The scale of a plant refers to its size in relation to the other elements in the backyard. Homeowners should consider the scale of a plant when choosing a location for it, as a plant that is too large or too small can throw off the balance of the space.

By considering the color, texture, form, and scale of common backyard plants, homeowners can create a backyard that is both beautiful and inviting. With a little planning, homeowners can create a backyard that they will enjoy for years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, common plants found in backyards are a diverse group of species that can provide a variety of benefits to both the homeowner and the environment. These plants are often easy to care for and can add beauty, privacy, and even food to a backyard space.

Common plants in backyards are a valuable asset to any home. They can provide beauty, privacy, food, and habitat for wildlife. By understanding the diversity, functionality, and aesthetics of common backyard plants, homeowners can make informed decisions about which plants to choose for their own backyards. With a little planning, homeowners can create a backyard that is both beautiful and functional, a space that they can enjoy for years to come.