The trends you choose to follow make a big statement about your company’s values
Just like architecture or interior decor, trend-setting landscaping can add a lot of flair to a property. Sometimes, new trends can add a bit of excitement and freshness to your design process.
Landscaping makes a powerful statement and brings the whole aesthetic of property together. Indeed, many trends from the past define styles and tastes today — traditional brick estates are often adorned with English Ivy, a trend that began in the colonial era. Bright tropical bromeliads decorate the homey bungalows of the Florida coast, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a property in the American South that isn’t dotted with blue and purple hydrangeas.
So, what drives landscaping trends in 2019? In a word: environmental conscientiousness. Green initiatives are an important consideration for today’s consumers, with some reports showing that up to 68% of consumers rate sustainability as an important consideration when purchasing. Here’s how concern for the planet is driving trends in landscaping today.
Going Green
According to the World Health Organization, “Climate change is impacting human lives and health in a variety of ways. It threatens the essential ingredients of good health — clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply, and safe shelter — and has the potential to undermine decades of progress in global health.” This sobering analysis of the planet’s future weighs heavily on today’s businesses.
Consumers want to see companies demonstrate a sense of civic responsibility in the form of green initiatives and sustainable practices. For landscapers, that means finding ways to work in harmony with the natural landscaping, such as installing strategic irrigation systems that save water, using native plants, and recycling green waste.
Many landscaping companies are choosing to optimize their green habits as a way to stand out against other vendors. This can be done by investing in eco-friendly equipment and lawnmowers, reducing herbicides, and finding organic or planet-friendly solutions to common problems.
For example, one D.C. area company has taken to eliminating snow and ice with brine instead of the traditional rock salt — a known contributor to the dangerous over-salination of the nation’s waterways. Clever innovations like this can make a big impact on the health of your community.
Water conservation
Another way that environmental concerns are driving landscaping trends today is the growing awareness of water conservation. While everyone loves a lush green landscape, sometimes those gorgeous suburban jungles take a disproportionate amount of irrigation to maintain. In many places, water is a non-renewable resource. Taking pains to create the most water-conscious landscaping plan possible is a wonderful way to lessen the burden on the local water supply.
Landscapers are getting creative by designing yards that will need limited irrigation, such as only during the very dry months. They are also creating sprinkler systems that maximize water efficiency by using special water-saving heads and soil moisture sensors.
Native plants
In keeping with water conservation efforts and an overall sense of eco-friendly design, more and more landscapers are turning to native plants that thrive in the local climate without needing a lot of attention.
Indeed, this is one of the simplest ways to create a beautiful, lush property that is easy to maintain without excessive fertilizers and water. Not only that but choosing native plants over fussy foreign ornamentals helps prevent invasive species from taking over.
Take, for example, kudzu, the famous vine that has all but taken over the Southeastern states. This overbearing plant was brought into the country as a landscaping ornamental, and it causes significant damage to native plants and species with every passing year. Other examples include Japanese honeysuckle or barberry.
Choosing to use native shrubs, vines, flowers, and more helps cultivate and protect an area’s natural biodiversity. Plus, these plants are easier to maintain than ornamentals imported from different climates.
Green is the new normal
Landscapers who can adapt to today’s market and incorporate eco-conscious practices into their businesses have a greater chance to lure in today’s environmentally savvy consumers. While it may seem easier to maintain cookie-cutter shrubbery and stick to old habits, moving steadily towards green initiatives may be the key to unlocking your business’ full marketing and earning potential.
At VendorSmart, we understand that third-party vendor relationships are critical to the success of any association or condo. Our software and team of industry professionals guarantee full compliance vetting for every vendor employed by your management company at no cost to you or the vendor. Want to learn more? Schedule a demo today.