The spring season is finally upon us! As we bid good bye to March and say hello to April, it’s time to bust out the seedlings, haul out the bags of mulch, and arm ourselves with trowels and shovels.
Winter season is the perfect time to sit and plan out your landscaping for next year, but if you’ve been too busy, don’t panic! It’s not too late. We’ve taken the time to put together a list of the five hottest trends in landscaping for 2015 to help you get the creative juices flowing:
Native Plants
We’ve talked about native plants before, but they’re worth mentioning again. There are a lot of benefits and not too many drawbacks when it comes to planting species of trees, shrubs and flowers that are native to your region. They’re already well-adapted to the climate and soil conditions, so you won’t need to go to great lengths to make sure they thrive. As an added bonus, they’re beneficial for the local insects and native wildlife that might creep into your garden.
Planting to Attract Bees and Butterflies
As more and more people become aware of the crisis that bees and butterflies are facing, there’s been a growing tendency to plant species that will offer nectar for them to harvest. These wonderful little visitors are most attracted to native species, as well as the colors blue, purple, violet, white and yellow. Plant your flowers in clumps, and choose varieties that will grow at different heights.
Here in Wisconsin, some great suggestions for plants are: aster, beebalm, blazing star, giant hyssop, and sunflowers. Milkweed is essential for Monarch butterflies. Their caterpillars will eat nothing but this plant.
Gardening for your Table
If you’ve been in the grocery store lately, then you know that fresh herbs and produce can be one of the priciest ingredients to purchase. One of the hottest trends of 2015 by far is edible gardening. Miniature fruit bushes planted in containers are a great choice for urban gardeners, while those with more space for their projects are blending edible plants with their ornamentals.
Adding Water to your Garden
Water is soothing, especially after a long and stressful day at the office, and many people are turning their backyards into an oasis with the addition of water. Small ponds that incorporate lilies are wildly popular, but even a small birdbath in the midst of your garden will do wonders to offer relaxation. Birds and butterflies are attracted to the water as well, offering them a refuge in the midst of urban life.
A New Living Room… Outdoors!
Outdoor living is all the rage right now, especially with the development of new acrylic fabrics that resist the effects of sun fading and weather damage. In some of the trendiest gardens, you’ll find the patio is decked out with a collection of comfortable chairs, a dining table, or even an entire outdoor kitchen set-up.
Don’t forget, a privacy fence can really help your outdoor room shine.
What new feature will you add to your garden this year?
Does a new fence, gazebo, or pergola fit into your landscaping plans for 2015? If you live in Wauwatosa, Mequon, Fox Point or anywhere else in the Milwaukee metro area, call us for a free estimate today.
