OTTAWA REAL ESTATE
Landscaping Tips to Increase Your Property Value
Landscaping Tips to Increase Your Property Value in Ottawa
The landscaping that adds the most value in Ottawa is low-maintenance, climate-appropriate, and clearly cared-for — hardy plants that survive the winters, healthy trees, a well-kept lawn, and functional outdoor spaces buyers can picture using. Elaborate, high-upkeep gardens often work against a sale because buyers see work, not value. The goal is a yard that looks great, suits Ottawa’s climate, and won’t scare off a busy buyer.
Getting that balance right — investing in the landscaping buyers pay for and skipping what they don’t — is easier with local guidance. Jason Polonski has sold homes across Ottawa and the west end for 15+ years and advises sellers on the outdoor improvements that actually return at resale. For advice on a specific property, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333 or request a free home evaluation. This page goes deeper into landscaping specifically; for the broader front-of-home first impression, start with how to maximize curb appeal in Ottawa.
Choose plants that thrive in Ottawa’s climate
The single most important landscaping decision is choosing plants hardy enough for Ottawa’s climate zone, because a thriving yard reads as effortless while a struggling one reads as a chore. Ottawa sits in a cold hardiness zone with hot summers and freezing winters, so plants have to handle both.
Reliable choices include evergreens like spruce, pine, and cedar for year-round structure and winter windbreaks; hardy perennials such as daylilies, coneflowers, and hostas for low-effort colour; and ornamental grasses for texture. The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is a good authority on selecting plants suited to a region. Native species are especially smart — they’re adapted to the local climate, need less water, and support pollinators; the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s native plant guidance and Landscape Ontario are good starting points for what performs here.
Use foundation plantings to frame the home.
Foundation plantings — the beds of shrubs and perennials around the base of the house — do the heavy lifting for curb appeal, so they’re worth getting right. Layering works best: taller shrubs near the foundation, mid-height plants in front, and low ground covers or perennials at the edge, which adds depth and highlights the home’s architecture. Keep beds crisply edged and topped with fresh mulch. Cedar or pine bark mulch also insulates roots through Ottawa winters and cuts down on watering and weeding.
Keep the lawn healthy.
A lush, green lawn signals a well-maintained property, and in Ottawa that takes a little know-how because of the region’s compacted clay soils. Core aeration in spring or fall relieves compaction, so water and nutrients reach the roots; overseeding fills the bare patches that harsh winters leave behind; and slow-release fertilizer in spring and late fall keeps growth steady. Water deeply but less often to encourage strong roots, and follow any local watering guidance — Ontario’s lawn care resource is a useful reference. A healthy lawn is one of the most visible, lowest-cost value signals a seller has.
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Why pay 2.5% listing commission to sell your home when you don't have to? Jason Polonski lists Ottawa homes for a simple 1% listing commission. Full MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure, professional photography, powerful online marketing, expert pricing, and a skilled negotiator fighting for every dollar of your sale price. Top-tier service — you just keep thousands more when your home sells. Smart sellers are already making the switch. Your home deserves the best, and your wallet deserves a break.
Plant trees strategically
Mature, well-placed trees are among the highest-value landscape features a property can have, adding shade, privacy, energy savings, and lasting curb appeal. Trees that shade a home in summer reduce cooling costs and block winter wind, and Natural Resources Canada and Tree Canada both note the environmental and property benefits mature trees provide.
Hardy local species like sugar maple, red oak, and white pine perform well in the Ottawa region. Placement matters: keep trees a safe distance from the house, foundation, and utility lines, and check the City of Ottawa’s tree bylaw before removing or planting near the property line, since permits can apply.
Get Cash Back When You Buy a Home in Ottawa
Can you get cash back when buying a home in Ottawa? Yes. Jason Polonski, a Chairman's Club REALTOR® serving Ottawa and Kanata, shares part of his commission with buyers — up to $3,000 cash back at closing.* You still get full-service, award-winning representation: expert pricing, sharp negotiation, and hands-on guidance from first showing to keys in hand. No cut corners and no rebate-only shortcuts — just real money back in your pocket when you buy your Ottawa or Kanata home.
Favour low-maintenance landscaping
Low-maintenance landscaping appeals to the widest pool of buyers because most people want an attractive yard without a weekend of work to keep it. Drought-tolerant and native plants like black-eyed Susans, yarrow, and asters thrive in Ottawa with little water once established. Mulched beds, perennials over annuals, and hardy ground covers keep a yard looking full with minimal upkeep. The message a low-maintenance yard sends — “beautiful and easy” — is exactly what most buyers want to hear.
Add functional outdoor living space.
Usable outdoor space is one of the strongest value-adds in the Ottawa market, because buyers want somewhere to enjoy the warm months. A stone or interlock patio, a wood or composite deck, or a simple fire-pit area extends the living space and helps buyers imagine life in the home. The Appraisal Institute of Canada notes that quality outdoor improvements are among the exterior features that most support resale value. Choose freeze-thaw-resistant materials suited to Ottawa’s climate, and keep the design cohesive with the house. The return on these projects is covered further on the best return on renovations page — the key is matching the investment to the home’s price band.
Light the landscape
Landscape lighting adds beauty, safety, and a sense of care, and it makes a property show well in the evening — valuable through Ottawa’s dark winter months. Path lights guide the way to the door, accent lighting highlights trees or architecture, and motion-sensor fixtures near entries add security. Solar and low-voltage options add polish with no wiring, while any hardwired work should meet Electrical Safety Authority standards. Good lighting is a finishing touch that makes the whole yard feel intentional.
Landscaping value: where to invest
| Feature | Upkeep | Value signal |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy lawn | Moderate | Very high — visible, universal |
| Foundation plantings + mulch | Low | High — frames the home |
| Mature/strategic trees | Low once established | High — shade, privacy, longevity |
| Native/drought-tolerant beds | Low | High — “beautiful and easy” |
| Patio/deck/fire pit | Low–Moderate | High — usable living space |
| Landscape lighting | Low | Medium–High — evening appeal |
| Water features / elaborate gardens | High | Low — can read as work |
Landscape with an Ottawa REALTOR® who knows what sells
The right landscaping adds real value; the wrong kind adds work a buyer will discount — and telling the two apart is where Jason Polonski’s local experience pays off. With 15+ years selling homes across Ottawa and the west end, a trades background that helps him judge hardscape and exterior condition, and recognition on the Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® list seven years running, Jason advises sellers on the outdoor improvements that return at resale and the ones to skip.
His results and client reviews are on his Google Business Profile. To find out which landscaping investments make sense for a specific home before listing, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333, request a free home evaluation, or explore the full guide to selling your house in Ottawa.
Landscaping Tips (FAQs)
A healthy lawn, well-framed foundation plantings, mature strategically placed trees, and usable outdoor living space such as a patio or deck add the most value in Ottawa. Low-maintenance, climate-appropriate designs appeal to the widest pool of buyers.
Hardy perennials like daylilies, coneflowers, and hostas perform reliably, along with evergreens such as spruce, pine, and cedar for year-round structure. Native and drought-tolerant species like black-eyed Susans, yarrow, and asters thrive with little water once established.
Use drought-tolerant and native plants, favour perennials and ground covers over annuals, and mulch garden beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds. This keeps a yard looking full and cared for without the upkeep that deters busy buyers.
Yes. Mature, well-placed trees add shade, privacy, energy savings, and curb appeal and are among the most valued landscape features. Choose hardy local species like sugar maple, red oak, or white pine, and check the City of Ottawa tree bylaw before planting or removing trees near property lines.
Usable outdoor living space is highly desirable to Ottawa buyers, so a patio, deck, or fire pit area can add value — provided the investment matches the home’s price band and uses freeze-thaw-resistant materials suited to the climate. Keep the design cohesive with the house.
Quality landscaping can meaningfully improve resale appeal and value, though the exact amount depends on the home, the market, and how well the work suits the property. Appraisers and industry bodies consistently rank mature trees, a healthy lawn, and functional outdoor space among the exterior features buyers value most.
