After a long, cold winter, Spring has finally arrived, flowers are beginning to bloom and trees are sprouting new leaves. We are finally seeing some evidence of the changing season across most of the state. For a large majority of homeowners, that means it’s time to start thinking about landscaping projects.

A well-designed landscape not only can add beauty to your home but also can reduce your heating and cooling costs. A well-placed tree, shrub, or vine can deliver effective shade, act as a windbreak, and reduce your energy bills.

Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses. Check out the Energy Saver 101 infographic for more ways your landscaping can help you save energy and water.

Energy efficient landscaping can help reduce your water use, improve your home’s comfort and lower your energy bills all year round. For example, a few carefully placed trees can shade your home and outdoor patio areas from the hot summer sun and also block the chilly winds in winter — saving up to 25 percent of a typical home’s energy use. That’s because research has shown that summer air temperatures in tree-shaded neighborhoods can be 3 to 6 degrees cooler than streets and .

The Energy Saver 101 infographic lays out the basics of how you can make your landscape work for you. Whether you’re looking to shade your home from solar heat gain, create a windbreak or conserve water, we’re highlighting energy-saving planting tips for landscaping and the landscaping strategies that work best for different climates.

Remember, it’s never too late to make your landscape beautiful and energy efficient!