What's Trending in Landscaping Spring 2024
By Chris Petry
You know how it goes. One minute you’re griping about the seemingly-endless rainfall and the next, you’re punching your steering wheel trying desperately to merge into one lane because the DOT thought 5:00 p.m. was the optimal time to fill potholes. Where does the time go?
Don’t forget, somewhere between your 4th slice of pizza and your 50th binge watch of Arrested Development, you should probably hammer out a gameplan for this year’s landscaping. You know, things like replacing the mower blade, picking up new trimmer twine, making a mulch run, sharpening shears and pruners and staking the garden at the very least. For added pressure, if you’re the kind of person who finds their inspiration on Tik Tok, or you prioritize your home’s resell value, you’ll want to be aware of the current trends in landscaping. Read on for some of the most in vogue landscaping trends of 2024.
Planting What’s Natural to Your Soil- If you want your yard to be the perfect reflection of modernity, you’ll need to embrace an eco-friendly style of gardening. One of the most popular approaches, which is also one of the most effortless, is to only cultivate plant species that can exist independently in your native soil. Meaning, can the plant survive without human intervention? Does it require more or less water than it would receive from rainfall in your climate? Does it need a chemical alteration of the soil or a structure to prevent or increase its absorption of sunlight? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, current wisdom suggests you shouldn’t plant it. Self-sustaining crops are all the rage as they require less watering, less supplementation, and less maintenance. That’s best for the environment, your wallet and your poor calloused hands. Examples of plants native to Western, Pennsylvania and Eastern, OH include but are not limited to: ferns, milkweed, azaleas, wild geraniums, winterberries, dogwood and bee balms.
Smart Technology- As if you didn’t have enough apps! Hey, I too get frustrated with every space being fiber-optically wired but it’s 2024 and if you hope to grow like that defiant blade of grass in the sidewalk, you need to embrace some of the latest technology altering the landscape. Pun intended. Especially, if you plan on selling your home in the near future. Sprinkler systems, drainage systems, and patio and deck lighting have all joined the digital revolution. Which is, to say, they can be monitored, tweaked and operated from a central control hub within your home or through an app on your smartphone. This year will see an exponential increase in the availability and implementation of said tech.
Outdoor Living Space- Here’s something that hasn’t changed much in centuries. People love having a secure climate-controlled home with all the modern amenities of their time. Additionally, they like to be able to retreat to a more primordial state of roughing it under the stars, cool breeze in their hair, comforted by the synchronous simplicity and complexity of Mother Nature. Doesn’t mean you have to give up all the modern world’s comforts. Just transport them outside the home. More inviting living spaces are all the rage. Gone are the days of a single Adirondack chair on an uneven cobble stone pad. People want the option of shade in the form of outdoor roofs and canvases, entertainment in the form of water-resistant speaker systems and TVs to watch the game. They want soft, comfortable, cushiony chairs for sunbathing or even an afternoon nap. The more outdoor living space the better. Help imagination-impaired future buyers whilst increasing your present comfort by expanding luxury living beyond your doorway.
Creating Environments for Pollinating Insects- Not all bugs are bad! Remember that butterflies and bees are very important to the continued health of our ecosystem. Experts seem convinced that this year, there will be a notable uptick in garden space reserved for nature’s humble, winged pollinators. That means the inclusion of food source plants for larvae as well as plentiful nectar-producing plants that attract adult subjects for the purpose of pollination. Think herbs like basil, dill, cilantro and parsley as well as old favorites like sunflowers, marigolds, bee balms, and cosmos.
Color and Contrast- The human eye is attracted to color and contrast, so it stands to reason that prospective buyers of your home will also respond more favorably to variety in your landscaping. Spread the color around the perimeter of your property, incorporate it into your outdoor living space, and use it to spruce up otherwise monochromatic structures such as play areas, retaining walls, and walkways. Reds, yellows, orange, blue, violet… you name it! Goldenrods, cardinals, purple coneflowers, black-eyed susans and blue indigos will provide you all the color you crave!
As always, if you need tips on anything you can do to increase the curb appeal or resell value of your home, be sure to talk to an agent from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty, who will use their advanced knowledge of the market and trends to help push you ahead of the competition!
