Let’s talk about summer landscaping ideas!
It’s the time of year we’ve all been waiting for, as it usually means longer days out by the pool, barbecues, and quality time with friends and family in the sun.
Aside from the few things you might want to do to prepare your yard for summer, like adding patio grass or exploring these cheap landscaping ideas, you may also want to consider some of the trends the cool kids are doing.
To help you get started, we put a few ideas together for your consideration.
Let’s take a look!
Summer Landscaping Ideas for 2017
Last year was hot.
I mean, like really really hot.
The drought was in full swing, which resulted in water restrictions, water rebates, and the rise of succulents and sustainable gardening. These are all great steps toward a more sustainable environment, but it may be time for a little update.
If you spent time adjusting your backyard or garden, you may want to consider a few of the following ideas moving forward into summer.
These will help revitalize your yard and garden.
Here we go!
Natural Materials
It seems that the minimalist looks, that have been around for many years, is falling in popularity as people ditch geometric shapes in place of more natural lines. Plants and flowers are being grown in a much more rustic way and garden furniture is seeing materials such as bamboo, reclaimed wood, and wicker making a comeback. Instead of heading to a designer furniture store, homeowners are heading to their local builder’s yard in the hope of securing unwanted pallets, railway sleeps and wood to be used for decking.
Endemic Plants
If you have a garden full of exotic plants from all around the world then we are afraid you will not get marks in the trend charts. Hyperlocalism is one of the growing gardening trends of 2017, with people choosing to buy and grow plants that are native to their local area. Browsing around your local garden center is a fun day out and you will be supporting your local economy by choosing to spend your money in the area that you live. If you already have exotic plants you do not have to get rid of them, just think carefully about buying more of them.
Reduction of Lawns
Maintaining a lawn can be very costly, both in time and money, which is why people are choosing to ditch grass. If you are a fan of grass and want an easy to manage lawn that is sustainable then artificial grass is the way forward. If you are cringing at the thought of bright colored plastic grass you need not worry, as synthetic grass has come on a long way and is very realistic and aesthetically pleasing. Not only is artificial lawn easy to maintain, it is very cost-effective and simple to install.
Jungle Fever
Although we have mentioned endemic plants being a big trend at the moment, lovers of the jungle can rejoice in the growing popularity of indoor gardens. If you have patio area or conservatory, you will want to think about bringing plants that are native to jungles into your house in pots.
Color Blocking
You will most likely have heard about color blocking when it comes to fashion, with people wearing blocks of color to make a statement. If you want your garden to stand out then color block your outdoor space and truly stand out from the crowd. Think bold colors on your patio walls, splashes of color from your plant pots and rows of bushes that scream out ‘look at me’.
Active Play Spaces
You may think that play scenes are just for children, but you would be wrong. If you have a large garden then you can divide it up into a place to relax and a place to have fun. Gyms can be expensive and going out for a run may not be your things so you can turn you home into your own personal workout area. Many artificial grass companies offer sports turf with markings and lines to play your favorite games such as tennis and baseball, but you can get as creative as you like in providing fun for the whole family.
Green walls
If space is an issue for you and you have no room for a full green yard then you can make the most of the space do have by installing green walls and ceilings (for covered patios). You may have seen this trend take of fin Paris and other European cities over the past few years and now it is everywhere. If you are feeling adventurous you can even grow flowers and food on these walls.
Water Features
With people using their garden as a place to relax and unwind, water features are making a huge comeback, as are garden ponds. You will want to be mindful of fully recycling your water, though, but other than that you are free to get creative with your design, making it as modern or as traditional as you like. You should always be careful when installing water features and ponds if you have children, so think about the health and safety aspects before spending a lot of money.
Dye Gardens
What is a dye garden you may ask? Well, with more and people living a more sustainable lifestyle by growing their own food and recycling materials, there is now a trend for growing plants that allows you to dye your clothes. While this may be too extreme for you, the actual plants, such as Rothmannia longiflora, are very pretty indeed. If you cannot manage to grow some of the more exotic ‘dye’ plants, growing root vegetables like beetroot is very easy.
Blocks of Paving
With water restrictions in place in many parts of the country, it is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain a lawn (as we talked about earlier). Bock paving and stone planters are becoming popular and with new technology, you can now lay gravel that will stay in place when rain and flash floods do appear. Just like artificial lawn, paving designs have come on a long way and there are now lots of different styles patterns, and materials to choose from.
The overall trends show that no matter what people are choosing to do with their gardens, they are choosing to utilize it more. You may or may not have a lot of money for your outdoor space, but and no matter how big or small your space is, use it. With so many great ideas to give you inspiration, we are sure that you can make one of them work, no matter what your budget is.
