Green-Fingered Brits Ditch Outdoor Luxuries in Favour of Garden Improvements

• Brits increase spend on landscaping, boosting property value
• As a nation the UK will spend £3.9bn on gardens in 2012
• Spend on garden accessories such as BBQs and water features down to just £27

Households are defying the financial climate and increasing spend on landscaping to spruce up their garden and boost property value, according to a new survey.

The annual HSBC Gardens Survey, published ahead of the Chelsea Flower Show, found that Brits will spend an average of £83 on garden improvements, including landscaping, this year - a 10% increase since 2011.

The figure increases to £148 in both North West and South West England, compared to just £20 in the London, where many householders can only dream of a large garden.

While spend on landscaping has increased, the nation's garden budget as a whole is being reduced. The average spend in 2012 on general maintenance is £37 (down 47%) and greenery including plants and flowers just £39 (down 47%).

But it is spend on garden items such as barbecues and water features which has seen the most dramatic cut in the past year - down 67% at £27.

How much spent on garden this year?

Peter Dockar, Head of Mortgages at HSBC, said: 'The UK has traditionally had a love affair with gardens, but with households facing financial pressures, people have to make difficult decisions about where to spend their cash.

'The survey reveals that spend on non-essential items has gone down in favour of general improvements, including landscape projects. Improving the general outlook of the garden can not only boost quality of life but also help to increase property value.'

While the UK average spend on the garden now stands at £185, down from £296 in 2011, four regions in England buck the trend with higher garden budgets - the East Midlands (£253), North West (£240), South West (£239) and South East (£238) all spend more. The regions with the lowest spend are Yorks and Humber (£112) and London (£124). The total UK spend on gardens for 2012 will be £3.9bn*.

How much spent on garden in 2012?

The survey also revealed that while relaxing (72%) is the most popular garden activity, over a third (38%) of households now use their garden to grow fruit or veg.

What do you use your garden for (%)?

On average Brits will spend 95 days in the garden in 2012, including three days a week during the summer months.

Days spent in the garden?

Unsurprisingly, London residents are least likely to regard having a garden as 'very important'. Residents in the East Midlands and Wales are most likely to regard a garden as being a very important factor in their property choice.

How important is having a garden?

Source: HSBC - Green-Fingered Brits Ditch Outdoor Luxuries in Favour of Garden Improvements

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