Top Popular Developments in Landscaping for 2021

In 2020, more than 15 million Americans began gardening, with many people spending 1 to 2 hours per day in their gardens over the last year. That trend has continued in 2021.

Gardening wasn’t the only item that grew in the last 12 months. People chose to bring the outdoors in and the inside out with porch and deck improvements, outdoor kitchens, large windows, and even gardening as part of their outdoor living themes.

Although there has always been a strong trend in outdoor living areas, social distancing laws have forced many Americans to utilize their backyards for exercise, small parties, and pleasure. According to a 2021 research report, 82 percent of Americans are more eager about renovating their outdoor living areas now than they were before the outbreak.

Biophilia, or the human desire to engage with or be in nature, has been a growing design trend since the outbreak of the Covid epidemic. Organic and natural design is one of the top concepts for the next three years, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 2021 Design Trends report, which gathered input from hundreds of home specialists.

Furthermore, the “urban exodus” and shift to the suburbs have increased outdoor space available to Americans. Rather than attending crowded metropolitan parks, more Americans now have their own private outdoor places to build and tailor to their needs.

For millions of people in the United States, this means focusing on gardens and outdoor leisure. Here are five landscape trends to be aware of if you’re a home construction professional.

This, together with the rise of other outdoor trends, indicates a healthy landscaping market. With constraints on travel, dining, and other forms of entertainment, more Americans are finding themselves with spare cash.

More money equals more spending on their backyards and professionals who will do a good job. According to a poll performed by the National Gardening Association, Americans aged 35 to 44 spend the most money on their gardens. According to Census Bureau data, these ages also correspond with the likelihood of becoming a homeowner.

Lawn Reduction

More homeowners are decreasing their lawns to make room for an outside entertainment area and gardening areas. But, according to a recent National Garden Bureau poll, 67 percent of respondents aged 35 and under still prefer “some” green lawns and various plants to cover the rest of the yard.

According to the 2020 National Gardening Survey, 23.1 million Americans (9%) transformed part of their lawn to a natural/wildflower environment in 2019. Seating areas, kitchens, and pools are taking over other portions of the backyard.

Growing Vegetables and Edible Plants

Most folks are planting or planning to grow some type of edible plant. Vegetables are the most popular, followed by herbs, and finally fruit. With a 300 percent increase in edible-garden social media influencers during the epidemic, new gardeners are turning to social media to answer all of their edible plant questions.

The word “victory garden” received the highest Google searches of all time in April 2020. A victory garden is a vegetable garden that was planted during a war to improve food output. They are no longer required for times of conflict but rather for homeowners who want to enjoy their own produce.

According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, landscapers are seeing increased requests for edible garden spaces. Raised garden beds, in particular, have been a major popular with customers.

Victory gardens are even making an appearance indoors. According to the National Garden Bureau, indoor gardens are becoming increasingly popular in climates where year-round planting is not possible.

New Homeowners Taking Advantage of Space

According to the National Plant Bureau, 40% of consumers over 35 believe they don’t have enough space for gardening. With more Americans moving to the suburbs and away from city life, there is more room to plant and more backyards to landscape.

According to the Housing Trends Report from the National Association of Home Builders, a sizable percentage of potential homebuyers still intends to buy a home in 2021. According to data from the fourth quarter of 2020, 15% of prospective buyers want to buy in the next 12 months, the largest percentage since the first quarter of 2018.

A Trend in Environmentally Friendly Gardening

Americans are not just gardening more, but they are also becoming more aware of how gardens might assist local wildlife. According to research commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation, more Americans are modifying their gardening habits to help wildlife and the environment.

“The latest National Gardening Survey reveals that people across America are growing for wildlife on purpose, making a difference in conservation where they live, and furthering the wildlife gardening movement,” said Mary Phillips, senior director of Garden for Wildlife. 64.1 million adults in the United States bought a plant to help birds, bees, or butterflies in the last three years.

According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, homeowners are opting for native plants, water conservation, and even organic lawn maintenance in addition to pollinator gardens. Also, according to Garden Media, garden design has begun to move toward designs that are more connected to nature.

Bamboo and Trees

Bamboo is one of the most popular plants with professionals and homeowners alike. In addition, bamboo has increased in popularity among gardeners due to its ability to thrive in various environments, sustainability, and sturdiness. According to Garden Media, bamboo can grow up to two feet per day without needing replanting or irrigation like other species of plants. In addition, many gardeners love how it shades an area of the yard, acting as a natural fence.

According to Garden Media, trees are also becoming more popular in home gardens because they add beauty and shade without much maintenance or irrigation. Additionally, some trees attract birds, bees, and butterflies via native fruit blooms or flowers.

According to The National Association of Home Builders, bamboo and trees are two of the most popular areas of landscaping for 2021. Both young homeowners looking for shade and keeping their homes cool in the summer and older homeowners seeking a return to nature will take advantage of these plant options.

Closing Thoughts on the Top Landscaping Trends of 2021

The American Landscape Association estimates that one-fifth of all landscapes are devoted to the growing and upkeep of trees and shrubs. They also predict that landscaping services will be in demand as aging homeowners look for help with gardening. In addition, with a national population set to increase, the need for outdoor space goes up.

Landscapers will have a field day with so many options for landscaping in the next few years. In addition to trending plants such as bamboo and trees, there will be more opportunities for gardens that are sustainable, organic, and eco-conscious.