• House with front yard landscapingfamily home image by palms from Fotolia.com
  
  Trees and shrubs are common features in most home landscapes and can add curb appeal, color, shade and privacy. The key to creating the best landscape design is to work with a variety of trees and shrubs that fit the climate and the homeowner's goals. By using the USDA plant hardiness zone map, people can determine which trees and shrubs will work best in their yards.
  
  

Warm Climates

• Choices of tree and shrub species abound for those who live in year-round warm climates. Depending on the humidity and soil acidity, homeowners can create a tropical or desert atmosphere in their landscaping by using palm trees, flowering bushes and cacti. Some popular trees and shrubs for humid climates in zones 10 and 11 include weeping willows, fruit trees, rhododendrons, Saint-John's-wort and eucalyptus trees. For dry, arid climates in zones 8 and 9, use mesquite, agave, rosemary and aloe trees and shrubs, because they do not require much water and can tolerate high temperatures.
  
  

Cold Climates

• Homeowners in cold climates, including zones 1 to 4, typically use evergreen and coniferous trees and shrubs in their landscaping, because they can live year-round and help block freezing northern winds. These types of trees and shrubs are typically pyramid-shaped and include holly bushes, pine trees, spruce trees and sweet gum trees. Some fruit trees, such as apple trees, grow better in cold climates than warm ones during the summer season. Red maples and chestnut trees are commonly used deciduous trees for cold environments.
  
  

Temperate Climates

• For those who live in the temperate zones of 5 to 7, which include the different blooming periods of spring, summer, autumn and winter, there are many landscaping possibilities. The use of deciduous trees brings changing colors of the leaves each year. These types of trees include maple, oak and flowering cherry trees. Many homeowners need to plant a mix of evergreens and deciduous trees to ensure year-round shade and coverage.
  
  

Placement

• Trees are commonly the most dominant feature in landscaping and can make a house appear larger or smaller. Large trees should never be planted too close to the house, as the root systems might cause foundation and plumbing issues. Many people plant small trees at the corner of their homes to make the house look wider. Shrubs can add privacy and security around windows and can be planted around the home's foundation. Plant them in odd-numbered groups, rather than by themselves or in pairs. Trees and shrubs properly placed on the south and west can also save cooling costs in the summertime.