Last year, the trends in architectural landscaping and gardening elements focused on comfort and lifestyle, being cost-effective and environmentally friendly. This year, the American Society of Landscape Architectures (ASLA) survey projected the greatest consumer demand, for 2016, will be in the conservation of water, e.g. rainwater/graywater harvesting. For many communities, integrating sustainable solutions to dramatically reduce water usage for a healthier environment is a big topic.

Inspired by neighbors, friends, social media, such as Pinterest, Houzz and HGTV, etc., many of today’s homeowners are doing home improvement projects to give them a better living in their own backyard.

Of these improvements, some may include the ASLAs projected 2016 top 7 current trends for architectural landscape and garden elements listed here with some of their potential benefits.

Architectural Landscape

Pergolas: preferred by 50.94% of people who voted

Pergolas add living space that is more private than a deck or patio which makes it easier for families to come together with relatives, friends and neighbors in a nourishing, naturally relaxing atmosphere. A solid wood pergola provides the same cooling human-friendly shade that a shade tree does.

Shade trees lower heating and cooling costs for both indoors and out, help prevent soil erosion, attract wildlife, provide leaves for compost, and can be a good investment in a home’s future. A conscientious homeowner can install a solid wood shade structure in one day, enjoying all the comforts of a shade tree maintenance.

Decks: preferred by 47.40% of people who voted

Like a pergola, a deck offers more living space and a place for a family to play outside while enjoying good company in a convenient setting. A deck can also free up some yard space by elevating it or with additional levels to take advantage of multiple living areas.

There are a variety of options that can be incorporated with a deck to make it more functional such as built-in planters, attached pavilions, arbors or a gazebo. The underside of the deck can also be utilized for extra storage space.

Arbors: preferred by 44.32% of people who voted

For enthusiastic gardeners, an arbor offers a defined and elegant entrance for a garden, property while providing shade being both decorative and functional. Arbors provide beautiful ceremonial backdrops for backyard weddings, hanging bench swings, and are also often used to shade pool, patio and barbecue areas.

Fencing: preferred by 44.07% of people who voted

A fence defines a property. Privacy fences are the highest in demand. A higher fence can give some privacy and guard a swimming pool or playground equipment, preventing unintentional trespassers from placing themselves in harms way.

Fencing can provide protection for the family and their possessions. It furnishes a safer place for children and pets, keeping them in the yard while helping to raise the barrier of entry from strangers or animals. A fence reduces white noise and can procure some protection from the elements.

Garden Element

Indigenous plants: preferred by 86.02% of people who voted

Indigenous plants support the local ecology, contributing to healthy soil and water. Native vegetation develops its own defenses against disease and pest. Pesticides are not discriminating and kill beneficial insects as well.

The native plants and beneficial insects, birds and butterflies, etc. were made for each other. Once most native plants are established they need very little water between the rains. They use less water, less pruning and help to use less or no fertilizer. Native plants are usually lower maintenance.

Low maintenance landscapes: preferred by 84.55% of people who voted

Low maintenance landscapes are yards that can manage themselves unattended for weeks at a time and are beneficial for gardeners who do not have a lot of time. This means easy-care greenery, no fuss ground works, durable furnishings and architectural landscape.

Examples would be watering from drip systems, replacing lawn with pavers to reduce watering or weeding, garden beds filled with gravel and ornamental grass or miniature evergreens.

Food and vegetable gardens: preferred by 74.95% of people who voted

Backyard gardening, community gardens and even planter boxes are providing tasty produce right off the vine. Homeowners can potentially save hundreds of dollars with the investment of even a small vegetable garden according to the National Gardening Association (NGA), and it tastes so delicious.

Digging in the dirt can also be a rewarding family activity, allowing children to reap the fruits of their labor.

Additional information on backyard gardening and architectural landscaping can be found at www.asla.org/residentialinfo.

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