Landscaping Trends

From little on, we’re taught to wish. Be it with dandelions in the field, the first star of the night, birthday candles, or countless other opportunities, wishes are a part of the excitement and exuberance that is a part of childhood. As we get older, wish lists begin to represent something that we know we can attain. They are an essential tool in the planning process when building or remodeling a home. They are also a valuable tool for landscaping. A wish list can help your designer come up with a landscaping plan that is personalized to your unique desires.

When considering what you would like to include in your wish list, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with current trends in landscaping: 

Follow the yellow brick road Well, maybe not yellow, but definitely brick or tile. There is a definite trend towards more high end materials like custom brick, natural stone, blue stone, limestone and even marbled stone in today’s walkways. For those who would like to incorporate a brick look without the high end budget, it’s time to investigate the unique treatments that can transform ordinary cement into a walkway that looks very much like brick or tile.

An ever-changing landscape Perennials continue to dominate the landscape. Since perennials come back year after year, they do not bloom all summer long like annuals do. A good landscape design allows for one perennial to bloom as another fades. Proper placement of perennials that bloom at different times of the spring and summer provides color and variety throughout the growing season.  

Fire it up While grills are now commanding their own outdoor cooking areas, the campfire has made its way back home through outdoor fireplaces and outdoor fire rings. Why wait for a camping trip to indulge in the favorite summer pastimes of star gazing, marshmallow roasting, and storytelling? When the fire is as close as your own backyard, a true summer experience is only steps away from your own back door. 

Not just your kiddie pool Water is taking on many roles in the landscape. While swimming pools are a wonderful way to cool off and entertain, ponds and waterfalls are growing in popularity. The soothing sounds of water make for an inviting escape from a hectic day. More formal features like fountains are also helping to transform the landscape.  

The jewelry of your landscape Low voltage lighting has taken on a whole new look. High quality fixtures feature solid brass and copper designs. These lights shimmer in the daytime landscape as they reflect the sunlight and bathe your landscape in soft light at night. 

Make a statement  Since annuals only bloom for one growing season, many people have started to plant their annuals in pots. This is a great look. However, an undersized pot doesn’t command the type of attention this style of planting needs. Patrick Devereux of Stone Oak Landscapes, landscape designer for Kings Way Homes’ Parade model, Bella Vista Court, recommends finding the size pot that you like, then going up a size just to make sure your pot is not lost in relation to the size of the home.  A great landscape plan will relate to the architecture of your home, the surrounding terrain, and the wishes of the homeowner. In Wisconsin, attention is also given to how your landscape will look in the winter. “While evergreens give you green in the winter, we are also incorporating some plants that hold their fruit in the winter, so you get some nice red berries as well.” Devereux said. “In addition, trees like a Pagoda Dogwood offer a sculptural look with very horizontal branching. This adds a nice contrast to the snowy landscape. We also like to feature trees with interesting bark.” 

When you tour the homes pay particular attention to the landscaping and make notes of your favorite features and add those to your wish list so you can begin to transform your yard into your ultimate escape.