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While our choices in paint colors, furniture, and home layout may have been influenced by passing trends, we often overlook the importance of keeping our landscaping up-to-date. Linda Vater, Design Expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection, emphasizes that the garden is a dynamic learning environment where we can experiment and grow. She encourages gardeners to take risks, push boundaries, and try new plants to inspire future gardening trends with lasting impact.
Meet the Experts:
– Mike Hrivnak: Director of Agronomy at Canopy Lawn Care
– Alex Betz: Landscape Designer for Plant by Number
– Linda Vater: Design Expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection
Effective Watering Practices:
Mike Hrivnak warns against overwatering, which not only wastes water and increases plant disease risk but also leads to shallow root growth. He recommends deep, infrequent watering, smart irrigation systems, rain sensors, and soil enhancements that retain moisture. Linda Vater suggests selecting water-efficient plants to sustain your garden while reducing water usage. Plants like Ever Amethyst™ Agapanthus and Ever White™ Agapanthus offer vibrant blooms with minimal water requirements once established.
Natural Lawn Care:
The trend in 2025 is moving away from perfectly manicured lawns that require excessive water and maintenance. Instead, there is a shift towards a more natural, sustainable approach with native plants, ornamental grasses, and drought-resistant ground covers. Alex Betz notes that the once-ideal uniform lawn is being replaced by a diverse, eco-friendly landscape that demands less water and upkeep.
Low-Maintenance Landscaping:
Linda Vater emphasizes the appeal of low-maintenance shrubs that offer beauty without high maintenance. By choosing deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and pest-resistant evergreens and compact flowering shrubs, you can achieve a vibrant garden with minimal effort. Options like Miss Lemon™ Abelia, ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia, and Purple Daydream® Dwarf Loropetalum provide color and charm with little maintenance required.
Thoughtful Ground Cover:
In 2025, natural aesthetics are prioritized over bold mulch choices like red or white rock gardens. Alex Betz recommends natural bark mulch for an organic look that supports plant health and ecosystem diversity. Avoiding mulches that release harmful chemicals into the soil and opting for more natural alternatives can enhance the overall appeal of your garden.
To enhance the landscape, he suggests using a combination of prominent stone features and natural-toned gravel, along with drought-resistant native flowers and succulents. Front yard landscaping with a single tree was once considered simple and elegant, but it can now appear lacking in visual interest, shade coverage, and biodiversity, giving the yard an outdated feel. To achieve a more modern look, the expert recommends a layered approach with multiple shrubs and trees to create a forest-like atmosphere, moving away from a symmetrical design that may seem high maintenance and unwelcoming. Embracing a more natural, lived-in style can boost curb appeal and support local wildlife and pollinators.
Plastic edging can detract from the garden’s appearance over time due to cracking, warping, and an artificial look. Instead, consider using stone borders, native plant borders, or metal edging for a more durable and natural transition between garden zones. While stepping stones are DIY-friendly, they can lead to issues like awkward transitions and an unfinished look. Investing in a continuous pathway made of decomposed granite, permeable pavers, or flagstone can provide a more cohesive and polished appearance. If you prefer stepping stones, place them closer together and pair them with low-growing ground covers like creeping thyme or moss for a refined and natural aesthetic.
Neglected mailboxes can make a negative impact on curb appeal, so it’s essential to enhance them with colorful flowers, trailing vines, and eye-catching evergreens. By incorporating these elements, a dull mailbox can be transformed into an attractive focal point that boosts curb appeal. Opt for lower-growing plant varieties for a neat appearance, and add vertical interest with climbing vines, avoiding anything thorny or prickly. This thoughtful selection will not only enhance the appearance of your mailbox but also show consideration for your mail carrier.
