Gardens Add More Than Just Flourish for These Upscale Properties - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Green space helps filter the surrounding air, provides oxygen, and, according to some studies, increases relaxation and even reduces pain.  It can also be a boon to real estate, since the presence of an outdoor (or indoor) oasis can help sell a home.

According to real estate agent Brendon DeSimone, "nearly every home buyer considers the outdoors in some way as a requirement for a property they're considering."

Certainly this is in the case with luxury real estate, where outdoor spaces are often as opulent as the interiors. Stone patios, infinity pools meeting ocean and sky; outdoor gas fireplaces, private cabanas and curated greenery: All combine to create the perfect garden — and a major selling point for buyers looking for their personal Shangri-La.

Pond-perfect

17872 Via De Fortuna, Rancho Santa Fe CA
For sale: $8,950,000

A small private lake? Check. Green willows, lily pads and a small guest house overlooking it all? Check. Swan? Well, a swan is about the only thing missing from this watery wonderland. And if the private lake isn't enough to sway you, the grounds of this Encinitas house also feature a full equestrian facility, tennis court, pool and spa.

Conservatory chic

22380 NW Meier Rd, Hillsboro OR
For sale: $15 million

This Hillsboro home for sale sits on 93 pastoral acres with pools, barns, a lake, landscaped gardens and trellises, as well as an enormous green house filled with foliage and charming places to sit. The home is just as expansive at 9,516 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms.

Bringing Outdoors In

2406 – 2408 Carver Bay, Whitefish MT
For sale: $12,950,000

Sure, this Whitefish home features 224-square-feet of lakefront, but even more impressive are the ponds and water features that abut the home's enormous flagstone patios. The 7,905-square-foot main home is accompanied by two separate guest houses to total 9,575 square feet of living space on over an acre of land.

Italian loggia

5050 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley, CA
For sale: $15,950,000

This Portola Valley home, coined "Villa Laurison" by its first owner, is designed to embody the grandeur of a Florentine estate. Stone arches, marble outdoor terraces and lush greenery add to a property comprised of over 30 rooms, including 7 bedrooms and 11 baths.

Tree house territory

1857 NW Roundhill Cir, Seattle WA
For sale: $2,250,000

Putting a new spin on the backyard picnic area, how about this platform tree house surrounded by gardens? This home sits in the urban center of Seattle, but you wouldn't know it. The property is an oasis of greenery. Built in 1931, the Spanish-style estate also features water views from its bluff location.

Greening the concrete jungle

196 W Houston St, New York NY
For sale: $14,950,000

A patio with a few trees may not seem like a whole lot, but in Manhattan real estate, private outdoor space is at a premium, like the one found in this 7,500-square-foot Greenwich Village townhouse. According to DeSimone, "New York City apartments with a deeded, usable outdoor space often sell for 20-to-30-percent more than the same apartment without the highly sought-after outdoor access."

Secret garden

Undisclosed address, Charleston SC
For sale: $5,900,000

Dine al fresco out of the Charleston humidity under a leafy canopy, hidden in the corner of the yard. The historic property, while updated, still contains much of its Southern charms with hardwood floors, high ceilings and intricate moldings.

Botanical wonder

1401 Rubio St, Altadena CA
For sale: $2,995,000

The listing description for this Altadena home has it right. It is a "botanical wonder," boasting two acres of property laden with foliage, green houses and an extensive, vine-wrapped arbor.  Listed for the first time in 50 years, the estate contains two parcels, which hold an elegant Colonial as the main house and a generously sized guest house.

Water features

37W756 Woodgate Rd, Saint Charles IL
For sale: $7,900,000

Although the exterior of the modern Saint Charles home is minimalist, the grounds are far from it. The home features a five-acre Japanese garden with numerous waterfalls, pools and ponds, all surrounded by Zen-inspired sitting areas to make for a true "spiritual oasis."