6 Standout Landscaping Trends for 2016 - LIA · 5/17/2016 6 Standout Landscaping Trends for 2016 American Nurseryman standoutlandscapingtrends2016/#top 3/18

5/17/2016 6 Standout Landscaping Trends for 2016 American Nurseryman

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6 Standout Landscaping Trends for 2016

A landscape project needn't be big to be the best, but it doesneed to serve the requirements of the client -- and then some.

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Photos: iStock, John Hoffmann

For a few decades now, American Nurseryman has presented the occasional article called“Superior Site.” Basically, it’s a case study of a landscape design/installation project that,for any number of reasons, has the mark of excellence.

What makes a landscape site “superior”? Is it the quality of materials, the cleverness of

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design? Is it the cost of design and installation? Yes. And no. We thought we’d look to acouple of the national associations for landscape pros and see what they say about thelatest trends. Some of the trends identi ed re ect ongoing movements; some namerecently recognized or newly revisited concepts.

According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, there are six standouttrends for 2016. The NALP’s prognostication is based on research into current consumerdemands and lifestyle trends—we know these are ever-changing—as well as good, soundpractices in and in uences from the contributing elds of horticulture, architecture anddesign.

Overall, the ongoing trend to move indoor living outdoors is settling in— or settling out.This movement began several years ago and shows no signs of letting up. The interest in“staycation” time that began with the Great Recession makes sense, especially to youngfamilies and to older homeowners who, for the cost of a visit to Disneyworld or aEuropean river cruise, could make the most of their own property and enjoy it for years tocome.

Couple that with the other continuing trend—sustainability—and you’ve got a good senseof what’s “in,” and what’s bound to say in.

Speci cally, however, here are six trends that NALP has identi ed for this year.

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1. Fully customized living spaces

Fully equipped outdoor kitchens have been around for a long time, offering the freedomof open-air food prep and consumption without limiting the menu to hot-dogs-on-a-stick. The NALP says that this year, even more kitchens will be built, complete with brickovens and repits—for atmosphere and, yes, perhaps for the occasional s’more. Well-appointed dining and living rooms are planned, and it appears that the pup tent in thebackyard has graduated to a canopy bedroom. Personalized, themed spaces will be big,with separate areas designated for yoga, for crafts and, of course, for the family dog.

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2. Tech takes over

Lighting is the least of the outdoor tech revolution, with functional lighting being derigueur. Taking that a step further, however, and you’ve got theme-park inspiredinteractive lighting: twinkling, boldly colored, lighting display as its own focal point.

Wi- access is a necessity, as much for business purposes as for communication andentertainment. Sound systems and high-res TV installations continue to be popular.

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Honor thy Mother

With a hearty salute to Mother Nature, “naturescaping” designed and installed tosupport local birds, insects and other wildlife emphasizes the incorporation of eco-friendly and “native” gardens. This isn’t new, but it’s positioned to become arequirement for many clients. And going “green” in the garden means more thanplanting the right plant in the right place, forgoing truckloads of chemicals and installingwater-smart irrigation systems. Solar-powered LED lighting, designed to consume lessenergy, is the way to go.

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3. Eat up!

No one can deny that edible plants have found their way into the ornamental garden, butthe convenience of gardening in containers also has made that trend more versatile. Avariety of fruits, berries, herbs and vegetables can be grown on their own or in combinedplanters, serving the dual purpose of beautifying and nourishing.

Plus, the community garden, long a staple of urban areas, is predicted to be planned andplanted by landscape professionals in neighborhoods whose developers—or currentresidents— make room.

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4. “Freshwater” features

According to the NALP, rainwater and stormwater management will become a morevisible part of the landscape in 2016, no longer relegated to the domain of the publicworks department. Rain barrels, rain gardens and catch basins will take center stage asintegral and perhaps decorative elements. It’s no longer chic to hide the utility, as long asit contributes both form and function.

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5. Soft colors, soothing hues

Following the lead of the Pantone folks, who are promoting baby-boy and baby-girl colorsthis year, clients will be asking for a more subtle palette. Bold statements still have theirplace, but the prized garden this year will tend to lower blood pressure rather than exciteit. Take a deep breath, blow it out, then spec pastels and creams.

Each year the American Society of Landscape Architects polls its membership on anumber of topics, and a survey conducted this winter asked members to predict whatthey expect clients to demand in 2016. The results foretell the Top 10 design trends.

Eco-responsibility appears to be trend No. 1, with rainwater/graywater harvestingrevealed as the primary consumer concern. Yes, clients want beauty, but they want theirbeautiful landscapes to save water.

Here’s what the LAs expect to be designing this year, in order.

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Rainwater/graywater harvesting

Nearly 90 percent of landscape architects polled indicated that this is Priority 1. As thethreat of drought and tightening water regulations continues in many areas of thecountry—despite recent record storms and ooding— homeowners are preparing for thefuture by using their landscapes as part of the solution rather than part of the problem.According to Nancy Somerville, ASLA’s executive vice president and CEO, “Water issuesare hot topics for many communities, and many people are turning to landscapearchitects for creative green infrastructure solutions. Sustainable residential landscapearchitecture, if part of a broader integrated site design, can dramatically reduce waterusage and stormwater runoff over the long term while creating a healthy residentialenvironment.”

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Use of native plants; use of nativeadapted, drought-tolerant plants

Eighty-six percent of respondents to the ASLA survey said that they’ll be asked to specifynative plants. In the No. 3 spot, 85 percent say that nativeadapted plants that requirefewer inputs—read, water—will be in great demand.

This presents an exceptional opportunity for growers and landscape architects anddesigners to communicate about natives and the importance of “right plant, right place.”

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Low maintenance, high value

Tying with native-adapted and drought-tolerant plants at an 85 percent response rate,low-maintenance landscapes continue to be a homeowner favorite. Sure, time isvaluable, but the demand for “low-maintenance” also indicates the desire for moreecologically sound properties.

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6. Permeable paving

Runoff is waste, and 77 percent of landscape architects have clients who are aware of that—and ask for a solution. Patios and driveways, pool decks and walkways all can bedesigned and installed to allow ambient water to be returned to the soil. It’s all part ofsustainable design and responsible land use.

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Fire pits and replaces

It’s elemental. Fire is fascinating, and along with water displays, it evokes the primitiveas well as the sophisticated. Seventy- ve percent of LAs report that they expect toincorporate re elements where it’s appropriate and where it’s safe to do so.

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Food, glorious food

Yes, the edible gardening craze has settled nicely into the ornamental garden. Seventy-ve percent of those polled responded that clients will require the incorporation of fruits

and vegetables—and on larger properties, orchards and vineyards—into this year’slandscape plans.

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Let it rain

Why ght it? If low-lying areas on the property tend to collect water, clients will agree tothe development of a rain garden rather than importing ll. Seventy-three percent oflandscape architects surveyed predict that their projects this year will include adaptationor creation of eco- and water-friendly rain gardens.

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Drip, water-ef cient irrigation / reduced lawn

Whether they’re simply frugal or are subject to restrictive local ordinances, clients for 72percent of responding LAs will require smart irrigation systems. And perhaps as part ofthis trend, 72 percent will ask for a reduction of turfgrass areas.

What the professionals predict for this year ts in well with what customers have beensaying for years: More beauty, less work. More utility, more value per square foot. Higherenvironmental ROI, less waste.

Designing to t the trends? Helping clients to understand the value of sound andresponsible design and installation is part of the package.




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Read more: NALP’s Six Landscaping Trends for 2016[30]

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30. https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/nalp/nalp/media/2016-press-releases/Top-6-Landscape-Design-Trends-for-2016.aspx

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6 Standout Landscaping Trends for 2016 - LIA · 5/17/2016 6 Standout Landscaping Trends for 2016 American Nurseryman standoutlandscapingtrends2016/#top 3/18