• A piece of raw land which will soon be the site of a new home is like a blank painter's canvas. If you are building a new home in Tennessee, your landscaping scheme is limited only by your budget, the contour of your property and your personal sense of style. Following are some ideas that may assist you in developing your new home's landscaping.
  
  

Semi-Circular Driveway

• The purple iris, is the offical cultivated state flower of Tennessee.iris image by Richard McGuirk from Fotolia.com
  
  If you lot is sufficiently wide, a semi-circular driveway can add terrific curb appeal. If you flank it with several post lights, it will still be attractive after dark. Within the boundary of the driveway, you might add a garden with a mass planting of purple iris, Tennessee's official cultivated state flower.
  
  

Terraced Garden

• The tomato is Tennessee's official state fruittomato #2 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com
  
  If your property is slightly hilly, you might build a terraced garden using railroad ties or landscape timbers. You could plant both flowers and vegetables like the tomato, the official state fruit. You might also leave one section of the yard unimproved, providing a venue for the passion flower, Tennessee's official state wildflower.
  
  

Trees

• Tennessee is home to a wide variety of hardwood trees including hickory and oak. Planting some of these species will not only beautify your yard, they will provide shade as well. You might even plant a tulip popular, the official state tree. If there are already trees growing on your property, remove as few as possible. Leave the rest, and you'll have "instant" landscaping without any work whatsoever.
  
  

Deck, Pergola or Gazebo

• A gazebo adds both beauty and value to almost any homesite.gazebo image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
  
  Adding a deck, pergola or gazebo with decorative plantings surrounding it, can also enhance your landscaping scheme. If your home will be built near Lancaster or Cookeville, you can take advantage of the hilly terrain and scenic views when choosing the location for your outdoor building project.
  
  

Additional Ideas

• If this will be your first house, and you have little practical experience with landscaping, you may wish to develop a comprehensive landscaping plan before you start digging. Many home improvement centers sell books with dozens of attractive landscape designs and ideas. You might also solicit the help of a qualified nurseryman at your local garden store.