SALISBURY — Landscape contractors, designers and nursery owners congregated in Wilmington last week to discuss and learn trends in landscapes at the Summer Green Road Show.
The show is similar to the Green N Grown Show held in January each year. It’s like a mid-season new car show but features landscape plants and materials. Improved construction materials, stricter environmental regulations and an improving but tight economy make landscaping more challenging than ever. Developments in both the university and private sectors seem to have created a neverending supply of new and interesting plant materials for the landscape. It’s really difficult to predict the future of these new and existing materials, but the industry can look at trends and hopefully come up with some realistic assumptions.
Low maintenance
Nothing new here, but it seems to be more popular now, whether commercial or residential — the most popular trend is low maintenance. One nurseryman lamented that many people don’t want low maintenance, they really want no-maintenance landscapes. Many people want to work in the yard, but not to excess. They want some work, but they want to take time to also enjoy the fruits of their labor. The casual elegance of the gardens is dressed up with more formal planters at the building’s entrance, which is planted with a bright variety of annuals. Many landscapes with a dash of color seems to be popular. Deer-proof plants are in big demand.
Warm season turf
Even though cool season fescue is the turf of choice, warm season grasses such as zoyzia, Bermuda and St. Augustine are gaining in popularity in the Piedmont. Cold tolerance and longer green color in the fall make this turf a viable option. Warm season grasses require less water and are able to survive with low water requirements.
Planters
Pottery, metal containers and statuary continue to make their way into landscapes, filled with non-traditional plant materials such as grasses, small trees and vines. Instant color bowls are becoming rather common at big box stores. Garden benches, lighting fixtures and paving options are adding additional interest to the landscape. New technology allows high-quality materials at a fairly low cost.
Proper planning is important
Basic organization and flow, the layout of the space and the purpose of elements in your plan are a result of well thought-out landscape designs. Developing a viable plan, no matter how small it may be, is very important. Once you have the function in place, then the form can follow with the continued improvement and availability of plant materials.
Darrell Blackwelder is the county Extension director with horticulture responsibilities with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. Learn more about Cooperative Extension events and activities by calling 704-216-8970 Facebook or online at www.rowanextension.com
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