SUSTAINABILITY (AND SIMPLICITY): While some homeowners love nothing more than spending the day trimming, watering, and weeding, others may prefer easily maintained, sustainable yards. For instance, drought-tolerant herbs and succulents often require less maintenance than other plants. Consider planting lavender, because it only needs to be watered once or twice a week – or even less if we see regular rainfall. Remember, sustainable plants can be just as stunning as high-maintenance varieties. WINGED FRIENDS WELCOME: Consider incorporating plants that attract pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees (even if you aren’t a bee fan, their pollination is essential for the health of your garden). Each pollinator will likely have different preferences – hummingbirds like red flowers, for instance, while bees ignore them – so think about planting a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes to help attract multiple flying friends.
BY THOMAS WALTERS
NATURAL MATERIALS: Homeowners are turning more toward do-it-yourself landscaping, which means less concrete and more materials like wood, stone, and clay. “Clay brick is a timeless and attractive natural material that is well liked for its low maintenance requirements,” says Missy Henricksen, spokesperson for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). “Wood, another natural resource, is a strong choice for decks and basic outdoor seating considerations.”
BOOST YOUR
CURB
APPEAL
W
hether you’re planning to sell your home, or you’ve lived in it for years and intend on staying for many more to come, remember that you only have a few moments to make a good impression. In other words – curb appeal. A neatly manicured landscape and tidy exterior show friends and neighbors, or prospective buyers, that your property is loved. A variety of outdoor improvements can help build up that essential curb appeal. This spring, if you’d like to spruce up your yard before listing your house – or you’re simply looking for ideas to help make your yard unique and attractive for your own enjoyment – these trends may serve as inspiration. 48
CIRCA Magazine
| April
May
June 2020
|
www.circamagazine.com
