2018 is shaping up to be another fabulous year for creating enjoyable outdoor property spaces. A professionally designed beautiful and relaxing space can improve the quality of your life. Landscaping can also add to the value of a property of any size.
This new gardening season is featuring bright nature inspired colours, selecting plants with more than one purpose and the importance of soil composition, planting and garden care. This season will continue to reinforce innovative and eco-friendly solutions, such as sustainable water management on residential and commercial properties. Also an important emerging trend is responsible landscape design.
Here are my top trends and tips for Landscape Design in 2018:
1. Move over Monochrome
Selecting colours, in my opinion, is still considered one of the most important landscape design decisions. Pantone selecting ultra violet as colour of the year is inspiring. My first 2018 landscape design trend is the use of bright colours featured in nature. Consider adding to a lush palette of greenery by choosing plants featuring bright colours such as ultra violet, mango orange, pink flamingo and sunset yellow. Echo these colours on a patio, terrace or outdoor room areas. Choosing containers, annuals, chair cushions and accessories of similar or complementary colours will enhance the coordination and overall landscaped property visual appeal.
2. Select Multi-Purpose Plants
My second design trend is selecting annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees with more than one purpose. For example, consider adding a drought tolerant plant for lovely flowers and also attracting native pollinators. The plant can also boast attractive berries, providing winter food for birds. Planting a deciduous tree can enhance a landscape by displaying spectacular colourful fall foliage. The foliage canopy is also valuable for providing shade and evaporative cooling, reducing the necessity for hot weather air conditioning. Another example is planting a row of evergreen trees for privacy and as a wind barrier for reducing a building’s winter heating cost.
3. Plant and Garden Care
My next 2018 tip is that planting really does matter. Successful planting means that the right plants are placed in the correct location when considering sunlight and soil composition. Cohen and Master’s knowledgeable staff is equipped for planting in your outdoor spaces. The company understands and endorses soil composition, soil conditioner and biostimulants. This is a significant area of expertise. Amending the soil in planting areas accommodates specific planting requirements. Plants grown in the right soil composition will grow faster, stronger and have a better chance of long-term survival. With a great start, your garden will potentially require less garden care maintenance as well. Everyone is happy when plants thrive!
4. Recycle Your Rain Water
Trending in the fourth spot is keeping rain water on your property for re-use. The wise-water use of rain water run-off through burying unsightly downspout extensions is a fast and effective way to improve the appearance of a property. Add a pop-up emitter for ensuring even water distribution to property areas. Carefully selecting the distribution areas will direct the rain water to where it is needed most. Areas worth considering are a newly planted deciduous shade tree or garden border.
5. Responsible Landscape Design
My final trend is the movement to accept that properties are connected. All properties are ultimately part of the local and global community. Responsible designs incorporate solutions for the use of less energy and resources to help ensure the health of our planet and future generations. For example, a design can feature a reduction or conversion of lawn to garden areas. The garden can feature native trees, shrub and perennials. Another design choice example is choosing a porous driveway material to prevent rain water run-off. 2018 is the year to not only look within your property lines but beyond as well – think globally!
Joan de Grey designs residential and commercial properties, of all sizes, in Toronto.
For more information and how to contact Joan, please visit her website or use the contact information below.
www.joandegreylandscapedesign.ca
joandegrey@outlook.com
