The plants that devalue your home

Having pampas grass, magnolias and ivy in your garden could knock thousands of pounds off the value of your house, according to a new study.

The survey of 6,000 people was specially conducted by uktvgardens.co.uk to find out the common garden plants which leave a bad impression when it comes to selling houses. The results provide a fascinating insight into the changing horticultural tastes of the nation and give some key pointers for those who want to maximise the value of their homes.

Laylandii topped the poll with seven out of ten respondents (71%) concerned about the speed at which the plant grows and potential complaints from neighbours. Another old favourite ivy came second on the list, with 67% of respondents revealing that concern about the potential damage the plants could cause to masonry would put them off a property covered in the trademark dark green leaves. Pampas grass completed the top three with half of those surveyed (55%) revealing that the plants dated 70’s look and shooting stems would put them off buying a house.

The study indicates that Britain is becoming a nation of plant snobs; preferring attractive, flowers to hardy perennials like the traditional magnolia (47%) and geranium (31%), which also appear in the top ten. Many respondents revealed that they thought these flowers are old-fashioned, preferring instead more modern and exotic plants. Other naff plants to be named and shamed included carnations, wisteria and conifer trees.

But it was not just plants that could devalue a house - two thirds of respondents (67%) said that the humble garden gnome would also create the wrong first impression. Another factor highlighted by the study which could affect house prices was pet cemeteries. More than half of those surveyed (55%) revealed that the idea of inheriting some-one else’s dead pets was an instant turn-off.

Similarly water-features and ponds, hugely popularized by celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock, are also a top turn off, rated by 59% of respondents as dangerous for those with young children and too individual for many who prefer to add their own details and character to their gardens. Rotten greenhouses/ sheds (43%) and poor fencing (27%) were also a top turn off for potential buyers.

Also for house-buyers who are looking in the winter, extravagant Christmas decorations made the list of the things that could devalue a house.

When it comes to adding value, roses topped the list with 79% of the vote followed by jasmine (65%) and lavender (62%). Respondents also revealed that gardens with a well-kept lawn (66%) and a vegetable patch (54%) were also particularly attractive.

The study also reveals some interesting regional differences, with London home-buyers most likely to be put off by pet cemeteries (67%), whereas those in the North West rated garden gnomes their top turn off (78%). Respondents in Scotland were most likely to find pampas grass a top turn off (62%), whereas for those in Wales laylandii was voted out by a staggering 82%.

Sven Wombwell, garden expert on uktvgardens.co.uk commented ‘The results of this survey don’t surprise me at all. People are far more particular now about what they want from a garden. First impressions count for everything when selling a house and the state of your garden and what it contains can make or break a house deal. After all it’s usually the garden that people see first. My advice would be to cut that Laylandii down now! ’

The top ten plants, as voted for by visitors to uktvgardens.co.uk are:

1 Laylandii (71%)
2 Ivy (67%)
3 Pampas Grass (55%)
4 Conifer Trees (50%)
5 Wisteria (49%)
6 Magnolias (47%)
7 Privet (36%)
8 Geraniums (31%)
9 Bamboo (29%)
10 Carnations (18%)

The top five garden ornaments, as voted for by visitors to uktvgardens.co.uk are:

1. Garden Gnomes (67%)
2. Water features/ponds (59%)
3. Pet Cemeteries (55%)
4. Rotten greenhouses/sheds (43%)
5. Extravagant Christmas decorations (29%)

The full results can be seen at uktvgardens.co.uk.