Those of us who love gardening realize many of the joys that plants provide. We savor the emotions evoked by the heady scent of a gardenia, or that first cloud of cherry blossoms at the end of a long winter.

Plants make artists out of us, allowing us to create of our outdoor spaces multidimensional showcases of color, texture and scent. Trees and shrubs in particular form the foundation of the display; they add structure to an otherwise barren lot, direct the eye toward a particularly pleasing view, and compliment the existing elements of our landscapes. Evergreen trees and shrubs define outdoor rooms, screen unattractive views and lend privacy in the midst of a crowded neighborhood.

Aside from the aesthetic draws, trees and shrubs offer a more practical set of qualifications. A stand of trees or large shrubs can block a large percentage of street noise and significantly reduce wind and water erosion. Trees’ natural biological processes (such as transpiration and photosynthesis) cleanse and cool their environment.

Deciduous shade trees work to lower your power bills year round. In fact, studies have shown that the area directly under a tree can be as much as 25 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than surrounding areas in the summer. During the winter months, those same trees, void of their dense foliage, allow sunlight to penetrate through to your home and landscape, creating a warming effect. The U.S. Department of Energy has predicted that only three trees, when properly placed, can save the average household between $100 and $250 per year in energy costs!

As our environment remains our most precious physical commodity and our home our most valued refuge, trees and shrubs become integral parts of the plant lover’s sense of well being, both aesthetically and practically.