Can your garden help sell your home?

The Chelsea show, as one of the most prestigious in the world sets the tone for British gardens for the year. Strutt & Parker looks at whether a little skilful horticulture can increase the appeal of your property.

Agents always stress that presentation and first impressions are vitally important when selling, and the first thing a prospective buyer is likely to see is the area outside of the house. If your front garden is well presented someone viewing the property will assume all aspects of the property are is good order, from the structure to the paperwork.

"There are many ways of making your house look more inviting" says Michael Fiddes, Head of Agency at Strutt & Parker. "In a city property where gardens tend to be smaller, it's a good idea not to overload on colours - use a limited palette such as variegated plants with white flowers for a fresh and elegant appearance."

If you have a larger front garden, lining pathways and borders with fragrant plants such as lavender, or sweet smelling heliotropes will help to stimulate the senses. One theme of this year's Chelsea Flower Show is inventive ways of using water in the face of a nationwide hosepipe ban.

Fiddes believes "Some green-fingered home owners have incorporated more drought tolerant Mediterranean plants into their outside spaces. However strong British natives such as Betula nigra, the river birch, hart's tongue ferns and geraniums make for a lovely British feel".

There are many ways to be creative with your garden and even on a limited budget - window boxes and stylish pots can act as an alternative to wall climbers and are easy to set up. For a real wow factor, strategically placed lights shining up from the base of a tree or lining a walkway can make your property look just as impressive at night as it does during the day.