Ask the gardener: Will your new yard be an immediate oasis or a long-term headache?

Just as a home can be turnkey, “cues for care” in the garden can indicate whether the yard is good to go.

Cherry blossoms bloom in spring. Lane Turner/Globe Staff

April 10, 2026 | 9:30 AM

3 minutes to read

New Englanders are a patient breed, having learned that spring will arrive eventually, no matter how cold and snowy the winter, or the fits and starts of March weather. The signs of nature’s resurgence are all around us: crocuses and daffodils are blooming, buds are swelling, maples and willows are in flower, migratory birds are returning, and lawns are flush with new green growth.

The ties between gardens and the wildlife they sustain form the basis for ecological communities. Plants provide shelter and food, in other words, a home in which wildlife can thrive. Consider a large, mature oak tree. It is a home with character and countless established relationships with its residents, who at times move in and move out.

Old trees are fantastic for many reasons, but require more regular, preventative maintenance to ensure their longevity. A newly planted tree, in contrast, has great future potential and fewer immediate maintenance concerns, but will take time to become a trusted resource and a member of the community.

The theme for this week’s column is what to look at when selling a home, and what to be aware of when buying one — whether it’s a new construction (fresh saplings) or an older established home (the mature oak).

Buds are abundant on a nectarine tree during a warm day in Massachusetts in mid-March 2024. – John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Getting the garden ready should be part of the process of readying your home to be listed. Garden aesthetics range from formal with clipped hedges, straight lines, and nary a leaf out of place, to wilder, more naturalistic, and freer forms. Often, we associate neatness and tidiness with higher curb appeal, but that need not be the case. Within the horticultural industry, there is a phrase “cues for care” that indicates even a naturalistic landscape can be intentional. Keeping pathways, driveways, and lawn areas clean and clear, complemented by well-defined bed edges, demonstrates intention and care for your garden, giving prospective buyers confidence that the rest of the property is managed similarly.

For example, proactive tree and shrub pruning to remove dead, damaged, or diseased limbs would be considered a cue for care. This is especially important if selling an older home with established trees. Future homeowners want to enjoy the benefits of shade in the summer, reduced energy costs, and the ecological value of your mature trees.

When buying a home, ask the seller about their tree care practices. As trees and shrubs are long-lived, you should focus on their health when weighing the garden portion of the home-buying decision. (Perennials are certainly important, too, but easier to change than large woody plants. Think of trees as the structure or “bones” of the garden around which you can decorate with herbaceous color and texture.)

Consider sight lines and whether existing plantings screen your view from others or provide privacy. If the sellers are gardeners, most are more than happy to talk about what they did, why, and what their garden means to them. You are, of course, not obligated to continue down their path, but the context is helpful in understanding what you are inheriting with the purchase of the home.

The branches of an oak tree stained with a green tint from pollen in the spring. *– Tony Gutierrez*

For new construction, look for the placement and spacing of any newly planted trees. Far too often, trees are planted for how they look in the moment, not for how large they may grow over time. A tree planted too close to the foundation will only cause headaches for the homeowner later. Clear sewer and septic lines or leach fields is another good item to look for when considering a home purchase — remember, tree roots have evolved to anchor trees and seek water.

Another factor to consider for new construction is whether ecologically harmful plants were installed as part of the subdivision landscaping. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) maintains a list of prohibited plants, which now includes popular landscape plants such as Callery Pear trees and Chinese silver grass. These plants, along with the others on the list, are damaging our forests, woodlands, and natural spaces.

The meaning of community in its broadest sense encompasses not only human interactions but also those of the natural world. Being a good neighbor today means more than just friendly garden-gate chats; it also means environmental stewardship, as our garden choices impact the immediate neighborhood and beyond.

Whether you end up with a new or an established home, the garden will grow with you and, over time, become a reflection of your personality and values. Home ownership is a long-term investment — often the biggest purchase most people make in their lives. Gardens, too, are worthy investments because they provide countless intangible benefits and are an integral part of the transition from a house to a home.

Ulrich Lorimer is the director of horticulture at the Native Plant Trust in Framingham. Send your gardening questions, along with your name/initials and hometown, to [email protected]