Landscape Trends for 2024
Landscape trends can be viewed as short-term fads in a localized area or on a larger scale as a global shift in thinking. Instead of looking at what’s hot or not in landscaping, this year we’ve researched the big global trends in the landscape industry. Below we touch on some of the larger points and how they affect what we do.
Adapting Planting Design to Climatic Trends
Globally, regardless of whether it’s a natural cycle of the earth or the result of human interference, our climate is clearly different that it was 20 years ago and more. If we want to be successful in our landscapes and gardens, we need to take those changes into consideration. As conditions change, the key to a successful landscape is going to be adaptability. This is leading the landscape industry in our area to focus on plantings that can take more heat, less moisture, adapt to sudden changes in temperature and volatile weather patterns.
Encouraging Biodiversity
Biodiversity is another global issue that affects landscaping trends. Generally speaking, biodiversity refers to having a mix of different species in order to develop a balanced and resilient ecosystem. In the past we have planted monocultures and used every chemical under the sun to sterilize our yards. We now know that landscapes that are lacking in a mix of species are more susceptible to larger problems. For example, the most recent, and highly publicized, crisis is the Emerald Ash Borer. This insect has devastated the ash tree population throughout the Midwest in recent years. Some people were lucky and only lost one tree. Unfortunately, many people, parks and business had multiple ash trees and lost the majority of their tree cover. A diverse landscape would have lessened the impact of this issue on an individual scale. While the trees still would be gone, we would not have gaping holes left in our landscapes had we taken diversity into consideration.
Here in the United States we have started following in the steps of the Europeans by trying to bring back the native biodiversity to our cities, businesses, parks and homes for the health of our environment. Many homeowners and businesses are now requesting diverse native plantings and a reduction in chemical usage on their properties in an effort to increase biodiversity. Here at American Landscape, our job is to find the balance between creating and managing a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape while looking for ways to incorporate more ecologically friendly plants and materials amongst a wide range of client needs and desires.
Advances in Design Software and Technology
Technology in landscaping, as within every other industry, is rapidly growing. Over the years, we’ve developed the capability to present designs in 3-D to help the client envision the outcome of the project. This tool not only helps the client get a realistic glimpse of how the finished product will appear – they can also see how it will change from day to night, as well as through the seasons, or even as it matures.
It also helps fine tune the estimating of hardscapes such as walls, patios and firepits. Seeing your landscape lighting at night or easily adding or removing a feature to a design with ease is a great value. We’re all accustomed to video games and computer imagery and now it’s been brought to the landscape industry.
AI Technology
As we all know, AI has jumped into our lives. There are already options available for the landscape industry but the user must be accountable for knowing if the AI is creating designs that actually work. With AI we have jumped one step forward from the designer to creating a base plan, with AI and 3-D software turning the plan into an image. The outstanding drawback currently with AI is that the AI is only as good as the information it is fed. Horticulture and design contain a lot of nuances that AI is still working towards understanding. Without an experienced professional monitoring the outcome the results could be less than hoped for. As Jill Odom writes in her article for the NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals):
“One of the main concerns in adopting AI is reduced quality and premature overdependence. While using AI could seem like a way to cut costs, brand voice and marketing efficacy can suffer without quality control and human expert input.”
AI, as it is pointed out, is only as good as the person using it. (Source: NALP Website “The Edge: Exploring Uses for AI-Generated Content in the Landscape Industry. May 5, 2023)We are watching this exciting technology closely and looking forward to the advances it brings across the green industry!
Fostering Vocational Growth in the Green Industry
In many areas around the world, the landscape industry is growing faster than the workforce. From reforestation professionals to architects redesigning city green spaces to the men and women who maintain our sporting fields, to landscape professionals transforming back yards into living spaces, the green industry is booming. These people are all driven by a passion for some aspect of the job—be it horticulture, design, or even working with your hands. It is truly an industry that beautifies and makes the world a better place. Inspiring more students to consider the green industry as a lifelong vocation is something that needs to be looked it. Across the US there is a shift towards encouraging people to enter the trades as a career. Many people think landscaping is about lawnmowers and planting flowers, but skilled workers are needed. We need men and women who want to work with their hands AND use their brains to create and renovate. Skill and knowledge are required for all aspects of the industry. The great thing is you can be trained on the job for many positions and work your way up through the ranks. There are also positions that require higher education and degrees, but our love of the industry brings us together — mechanics, managers, purchasers, billing professionals and HR personnel are all needed as well as horticultural technicians, skilled laborers and people just starting out and wanting to learn.
Our Approach
At American Landscape the needs of our clients are forefront to how we approach the current global trends. We are educating ourselves and our clients on ways to bring these trends into practice in our community. The younger people entering the industry are keeping us technologically savvy and bring new ideas and products to the table and our seasoned employees bring years of experience and learning. If you added up years of experience, just in our sales office alone, we have over 300 combined years of experience and education in the green industry—all with different strengths and specialties. Our entire team utilizes the collective and unique experiences of the whole to solve tough problems and continuously move forward in an effort to adapt to a changing world.
If you are looking for help in navigating these global trends and how they affect your plans for landscaping your property, reach out to us today.