• Trees, strategically planted in the landscape layout, can reduce energy bills.trees image by Rob Forster from Fotolia.com
  
  Conserving water, reducing energy and providing animals with food and cover are just three factors that can influence landscaping layout plans. Depending on which factor is important to you will determine if your landscape layout will focus more on deciduous trees, drought-resistant plants or a hodgepodge of plant islands.
  
  

Water-Conserving Landscapes

• If access to water is limited due to availability or climate, choose a water-conserving landscape layout. Plant ground cover on slopes, instead of water-using grasses. Mulch plants well after planting them, to hold in ground moisture, and choose drought-tolerant native plants instead of plants that need a lot of water. Plant these drought-tolerant plants in your landscape's higher elevations, where it is drier and windier.
  
  If plants that are not drought-resistant are still desired, limit the total number to a fraction of your overall plant purchase or layout design. The University of Florida's IFAS Extension recommends placing the water-using plants together.
  
  

Energy-Saving Landscapes

• Planting deciduous trees near glass windows or patio doors that receive strong sunlight during the summer months can help reduce your energy bill, according to The University of Florida's IFAS Extension. The leaves on deciduous trees block direct sunlight to the home during the summer, saving you as much as 25 percent on your electric bill. As the leaves drop during the fall, the barren trees enable sunlight to warm the home, reducing heating energy costs.
  
  Deciduous trees should be planted in front of east- and west-facing house walls, where direct morning and afternoon sunlight are strongest. In addition, planting deciduous trees in a group will cool the home faster than an equal number of such trees isolated from one another in the landscape. Vines and shrubs also can be used in lieu of---or in conjunction with---deciduous trees as energy-saving ideas for the landscape.
  
  

Wildlife-Friendly Landscapes

• Animals seek food and cover in a landscape, but grass provides little of either. Your wildlife-friendly landscape needs to include a number of closely grouped areas of plants. These islands should contain different-sized plants of varying heights and be scattered throughout the lawn, providing animals the ability to crawl, fly or scurry between islands without too much visibility to prey. The varied plant types, sizes and heights will provide a cornucopia of food options too.
  
  Hilly areas or slopes in the landscape layout can include ground covers, old decaying tree logs or large stones. Brush piles also are an excellent addition to the foot of hills and slopes, providing cover as animals make their way down the landscape, closer to plant islands near your home. Water fountains placed along the perimeter of the landscape can entice birds and other small animals to brave a sip as well, according to The University of Florida's IFAS Extension.