For many homeowners, landscaping is as simple as putting in a tree here, a flower bed there. But if you want to "keep up with the Joneses," here's what the American Association of Nurserymen says is trendy.
GOING NATIVE. The use of native plants (or hybrid varieties of natives) in landscape plans is increasing. The reason? Concern for the environment is the push behind using natives as many require fewer pesticides and less water to grow.
CONTINUOUS BLOOM. Gardeners, especially in the northern states, want something attractive in their yard all year. Use of ornamental grasses, colorful berrying plants, and trees and shrubs with interesting bark or seed heads adds interest to the landscape four seasons of the year.
WATER GARDENS. Although this trend isn't new, now even apartment dwellers are discovering the fun of creating a water garden for deck or patio. Water gardens with fish, snails, and oxygenating plants can be created in small pots and containers.
CREATIVE CONTAINER GARDENING. This is another old trend that has been updated in the '90s. Instead of one plant per pot, gardeners now are using several varieties of contrasting textures and complementary colors grouped dramatically in a single container. A related trend is to create salad garden pots containing different lettuces or tea garden containers of herbs.
OUTDOOR ROOMS. Many homeowners are discovering the joys of dining, relaxing, and entertaining in spaces landscaped especially for these purposes. A trellis or tree canopy becomes a ceiling, arbors or shrubs serve as walls for privacy, and ground covers suggest a floor.
HEIRLOOM GARDENS. What's old is new again, such as use of antique roses in flower gardens. Nostalgia is part of the reason for the surge in popularity of heirloom varieties although many gardeners are choosing them for their hardiness, disease resistance, color, and subtle fragrance.
GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE. Butterfly gardens continue to be popular although many homeowners are planting trees with berries or pinecones for the birds and dense shrubbery for rabbits and other small animals, or are leaving part of their yard "wild" to provide food and cover for birds and animals.
Leonard Perry is Extension Greenhouse and Nursery Crops Specialist with the University of Vermont.
Landscaping Trends