Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/144453
Porches are growing in popularity. Raspberry Shortcake in square terra cotta. Border with dahlias. ers want to get more enjoyment out of their yards," said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA. "They want attractive outdoor spaces that are both easy to take care of and sustainable." The ASLA predicts that decorative water elements — including waterfalls, ornamental pools, and splash pools — will be in demand for home landscapes. Easy as Sunday morning Farmer explained that his clients are busy and always looking for lowmaintenance gardening solutions. "I am growing a new ornamental raspberry called Raspberry Shortcake from the new BrazelBerries collection," he said. "As an added benefit, berries are good for you, and my clients love that!" These compact, thornless dwarf shrubs look great in the landscape but are perfect for patios, balconies or any size yard. "Our new BrazelBerries collection will change the way gardeners think about berry bushes. Our family's vision is to continue developing new varieties of ornamental berry shrubs that are first and foremost beautiful ornamental shrubs," said Amelie Brazelton Aust, new products manager and second-generation owner for Fall Creek Farm & Nursery. "They also have to be simple to grow and produce an abundance of delicious berries." Another one of the easiest, lowmaintenance gardening solutions is flower bulbs. From tulips and daffodils to canna and caladium, mass plantings make a statement in the landscape and decorate any garden space, large or small, with jewel tones. Landscapers who choose top-quality bulbs, such as those from Longfield Gardens, have ensured success, and clients' landscapes are the first to show color in the spring and the last to die-back in the fall. Eco-scaping Sustainable design practices and elements are in demand as people identify themselves as caretakers of the earth's resources. Replacing lawns with plants (i.e., xeriscaping) is huge, especially in the south, said Farmer. Meadows, and the wild-and-free look they offer, are very hip. "My clients are quickly replacing water-sucking, timeconsuming lawns with native plants and wildflowers," he added. The ASLA survey concurs: 83% of homeowners are using native or droughttolerant plants and 72.6% are reducing the size of their lawns. Today's consumers want an eco-wise garden that is low-maintenance, attractive, and drought resistant — but they need help selecting plants that conserve water and thrive during drought conditions. For low-maintenance plants, Farmer recommends a palette of succulents used for green roofs, sedums and escheverias. Light force Speaking of porches, lighting is a huge trend. Lights are transforming gardening into a 24-hour activity, be it for leisure or serious growing. New lighting effects such as up-lighting, down-lighting and solarpowered lighting will allow people to spend more relaxing time outdoors when the sun goes down. The sun's natural lighting allows flowers to exude their magical glow during the day but certain light installments and new glow-in-thedark plant varieties allow us to enjoy gardens at night too. "Landscapers are using lighting for creative garden displays," said McCoy. "Public and private gardens are experimenting at night with mesmerizing lighting mixed with plant beds and arrangements." A natural and sustainable way to make your garden pop at night is to add bright white plants and bulbs to glisten at night under the reflection of the moon. www.landscapeirrigation.com Micro Forces mini cacti from Costa Farms. Landscape and Irrigation 13