Shrubs effectively cut down on noise as well as dust. One other important barrier that can be helpful is a windbreak. You can use these same tall bushes and short trees to block off the prevailing wind in order to make your yard more livable. Keep in mind, however, that only evergreen plants are effective during the entire year. In many cases a screen or hedge of plants is preferred to a wall or solid fence, since the plants allow some air movement and do not reflect the sun's glare.
Most plants produce shade in varying amounts.
If you want to reduce your electric bill, heavy shade on the house during the summer will show up as substantial savings. But the more subtle use of shade is accomplished through judicious placing of deciduous and evergreen trees in the same yard. For example, a patio on the south or west side of a house will reflect heat and sunlight toward the house and increase the cost of cooling. However, this patio planted with an umbrella of deciduous trees will remain cool and shady all summer and help keep the house cool. Comes winter when the trees shed their leaves, the opening up of the patio to the warm winter sun will brighten the house and make the patio warmer for recreational purposes.