How to Choose the Right Plants for Your Landscape Design

Landscaping is no longer just about planting a few flowers and mowing the lawn—it’s about creating an outdoor experience that reflects your lifestyle and enhances your home’s appeal. Whether you're planning a full redesign or just looking to make a few impactful updates, staying current with the latest landscaping trends can spark ideas and inspire your next project. In this blog, we’ll break down the top landscaping trends that combine beauty, sustainability, and smart design.

1. Outdoor Living Spaces That Feel Like Extensions of Your Home

One of the biggest trends in landscaping is turning your yard into a true outdoor living space. Think beyond a simple patio—create zones for cooking, relaxing, dining, or even working outdoors.

Popular Features Include:

• Built-in seating and dining areas
• Outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands
• Covered patios or pergolas for year-round use

2. Low-Maintenance, Drought-Tolerant Design

Homeowners are shifting toward landscapes that require less water, time, and upkeep—especially in drier climates like Utah. Xeriscaping, native plants, and smart irrigation systems are becoming the new norm.

Low-Maintenance Trends:

• Native grasses and flowering perennials
• Gravel, stone, and mulch beds instead of turf
• Drip irrigation and smart sprinkler systems

3. Natural Stone and Mixed Materials

Combining different hardscaping materials adds texture and contrast to your landscape. Natural stone continues to be popular for walkways, patios, and retaining walls, often paired with wood, gravel, or concrete for a modern look.

Design Tip:
Use complementary tones and textures to create depth without overwhelming the space.

4. Edible Landscaping

Blending beauty and function, edible landscaping incorporates fruits, herbs, and vegetables into ornamental beds. It’s a sustainable trend that brings practical value to your garden design.

Creative Uses:

• Raised beds with herbs and veggies
• Berry bushes as border plants
• Fruit trees for shade and produce

5. Eco-Friendly Lighting and Smart Tech

Landscape lighting is shifting to energy-efficient, solar-powered, and smart systems. You can now control outdoor lighting from your phone and program it to match your schedule or set the mood for entertaining.

Smart Lighting Ideas:

• Pathway lights that adjust at sunset
• Spotlights for focal plants or trees
• String lights controlled by mobile apps

6. Defined Zones and Multi-Use Spaces

Modern landscapes are all about functionality. By defining zones—like dining, relaxing, gardening, or play—you make better use of your space and improve the flow of your yard.

Zone Ideas:

• A reading nook tucked behind a garden wall
• A dining area under a pergola
• A fire pit space surrounded by built-in seating

7. Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Transitions

Blurring the line between inside and out continues to grow in popularity. With large sliding doors, similar flooring, and connected design elements, your landscape becomes a natural extension of your home.

Ways to Create Flow:

• Use matching materials inside and outside
• Align interior views with exterior focal points
• Add lighting and features that mirror indoor comfort

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