You are lucky enough already, those CTD me everytime I intend to cast them...
see here:
https://forums.elementalgame.com/385477
About the fluff, I can agree that adding a strategic aspect to the solely aesthetic one would be good.
But I would just be glad enough if I could visually customize my kingdom.
The problem is that, if you had strategic aspects to these, the cost of casting should rise sharply; and I am personaly already bothered enough that casting a simple "Garden revival" (I forgot the name) costs 3 Essence, which is nearly as much as a city in the middle of wastelands..
Anyway and After all, these beautification spells are first meant to be cast over and over again, covering all your territory with patterns you deem adequate for your desired visual environments.