The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) recently announced its annual list of top trends anticipated to influence landscape design and maintenance. The predictions are based on data and experiences from landscape professionals across the nation.

The five trends identified are:

1. Ornate, Geometric Hardscaping – Professionals are noting an uptick in requests for intricate hardscaping patterns including waves, chevron, lattice and basket weave to sweep the country. From walkways and patios to retaining walls and fire features, homeowners are looking to integrate popular home décor patterns into their hardscape designs.
2. Contemporary and Transitional Landscape Design – Consumers seem to favor sleek, contemporary and simple landscape designs. Whether opting for an elegant outdoor kitchen, contemporary sculpture, or modern fire or water feature, professionals are seeing a shift towards simplistic designs. Homeowners are looking to native plants, heat lamps, and protective structures to make their outdoor living area functional throughout much of the year.
3. Bountiful Shades of Blue –With paint manufacturer PPG naming Chinese Porcelain, a cobalt and moody blue, and Sherwin-Williams declaring Naval, a strong and calming dark blue, as their respective colors of the year, experts predict that rich blue tones will influence the design of outdoor spaces this year.
4. Your Style, Your Garden Design – Gardens serve as a relaxing escape for many across the country. From creating edible gardens for farm-to-table dining to planting gardens that produce favorite fruits, vegetables or herbs, homeowners are more aware of the options that exist for installing gardens that meet their personal needs. For smaller spaces, consider container gardens, vertical gardens and interiorscaping to create an outdoor garden oasis.
5. One-click, Remote Irrigation – Technology can help consumers achieve maximum efficiency. NALP predicts that homeowner demand will contribute to a rise in high-tech irrigation systems that deliver just the right amount of water to a lawn or landscape, conserving water and saving money in the long run.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Perennial top performers are reliable plants for Colorado landscapes
DOL issues more clarification on FLSA compliance
GreenCO announces 2020 legislative priorities
Blue hues in the spotlight for 2020