Family Values Are Back! Landscaping Trends for 2010

March is a great time to think about improving your landscape. In the past, people thought of landscaping as simply something pretty to look at.  But now with the economy in mind, your backyard is becoming an inclusive part of your living space, with ROI potential that goes beyond typical home improvement projects.
You want your landscape to look good, fit your lifestyle, and reflect your values. Like anything, landscaping is subject to trends. But 2010’s landscaping trends are reflecting what’s been brewing in America. The recession is forcing people to take a hard look at what is really important in life. Now, along with lay-offs and belt-tightening there’s a welcome trend emerging: a return to family values. The shift in priorities moves across the board from bank accounts to backyards.

Here are a few of the trends:

Family Values are In                  Wall Street Values are Out

Outdoor Rooms are In               Lavish Vacations are Out

Edibles are In                              Humongous Lawns are Out

Water Conservation is In           Resource Wasting is Out

Sustainable and Green is In      High Cost Maintenance is Out

  

According to the latest report from the Garden Writers Association,

here are the trends for 2010.

Family Values are In.       Wall Street Values are Out.

The collapse of greed and self-indulgence is bringing in a new culture of giving and creating. The shift of priorities includes balancing practicality with comfort and fulfillment. Core values of responsibility, meaningful relationships and connecting to the earth is growing. That “can-do” spirit empowered by a new sense of self-sufficiency is fueling a renewed appreciation for our land whether that means a large five acre property or a small urban lot.

Baby boomers are reinventing adulthood with their young-at-heart lifestyle, driving demand for multi-purpose back yards that are in sync with their focus on family, self-sufficiency and environmental issues.

 

Outdoor Rooms are In.        Lavish Vacations are Out.

Domesticity is back. People young and old are returning to a simpler life of cooking, gardening, and entertaining at home. Families are foregoing lavish vacations and investing in their daily lifestyles by creating “get a ways” in their own back yards. Water features remain popular, only smaller. Outdoor rooms with pergolas, fire places and outdoor kitchens continue to reflect the changing lifestyles of homeowners. They’re great for relaxing, extending the season and your living space. No travel is necessary as enjoyment is conveniently located right out your back door.

Edibles are in.        Humongous Lawns are out.

Growing your own groceries is hotter than ever and back yards are transforming. A recent survey by the National Gardening Association shows a 19 percent burst of new hobby country farms and urban edible gardens over last year. We’re connecting to the earth and with each other, providing food that’s more nutritious and tastier. In our landscape designs at SCVL we are shrinking lawns and using “no mow” alternatives. Clients are enjoying the results of integrating the ornamental with the edible—a couple dwarf apple trees, blueberries, beds edged with herbs or adding a small kitchen garden outside the back door.

Water Conservation is In               Resource Wasting is Out
People are really getting savvy about rain water. Water is a great free resource, and people want to keep it on their property. Rain barrels and rain gardens are popular for eco-savvy homeowners. If you’re planning a hardscape installation such as a patio this season, consider a rainwater catch basin. A catch basin, placed underneath a hardscape such as a permeable paver patio or driveway, “catches” rainwater, which can then be reused for watering plants or washing your car. These are much like the cisterns people used in the ’30s and ’40s, just more sophisticated.

Sustainable and Green is In.      High Cost Maintenance is Out.

Clients are looking for plants that are easy care, have great color, and are drought resistant. Native plants fit the bill and also attract needed pollinators and birds, critical for the balance of nature. Sustainable landscaping basically means “landscaping with the purpose of long term health”. America’s seeing green as we all plant something for our future. “We’re thrilled to see people becoming more interested in native and sustainable landscapes for their homes,” says Germaine Ross, co-owner, St. Croix Valley Landscaping. According to National Marketing Institute, four out of five people say they’re buying green services today--which sometimes cost more at the initial investment but save in energy and resources later--even in the midst of a US recession. More than two thirds say they will choose green over traditional-- “if it works”. Ross says, “In landscaping, maintenance costs can be cut in half or more by designing with sustainability in mind.” Green is the new black as consumers seek products that work with nature, not against it. Demand is up for earth-friendly, sustainable and organic garden products. Bottom line is folks want value and performance while looking towards creating a more sustainable lifestyle and environment.