1)  Keep it simple

Low maintenance is the key we kept hearing. Kind of like the old saying, less is more. With the hectic pace we live in, keeping it simple & easy is key.  There’s enough going on to get overwhelmed with, your landscape shouldn’t be one of them.  Simplify is one of the top trends for 2019.

Here are some other ideas to help keep it simple:

• Use perennials that come back each year.  Put them in odd number (3,5,7, etc.) groupings.
• When shopping for perennials online, make sure you consider groupings that have the same type of watering requirements.
• Sometimes simplifying means getting rid of some messy plants.  Consider having trees or shrubs that are overgrown or don’t provide much benefit to you or nature.

2) Outdoor Retreats

More people are using time off for a ‘staycation’, choosing to just stay home & relax.  It’s just as important to consider how to enjoy your outdoors as indoors when you want to relax at home. Here are a few ideas.

• Weatherproof outdoor music.  There are a number of outdoor speaker systems available.  Many that will work with Bluetooth and any music app on your phone.
• Create specific ‘comfort’ areas. The comfortable lounge chair or maybe a fire pit.  Put them where they will be noticeable, to help draw people out.
• Add some solar lighting to make your areas functional & very appealing at night.

3) Create Private Places

It’s been a priority that has been growing and 2019 will be no exception for this trend. Create a natural getaway as a place to relax, meditate, read or just unwind.  Here a few simple ideas:

• Surround the space with dense foliage shrubs & plants.
• Add a simple water feature & limit the seating for just 2 people.
• Use narrow, tall shrubs to create a living wall as a privacy screen or just a way to separate a small space from the rest of your yard and garden. 
• Use an arbor to create an entryway type appearance
• Keep the colors simple.  Earth tones, green foliage; they key is a neutral or simple color scheme.

Narrow evergreen suggestions:

4) It’s More Than Just Curb Appeal

Yes, you can increase your home value improving your curb appeal. More importantly, it can make you feel good every time you come home. 2019 will find more homeowners looking for creative ways to create an impact. A few ideas for your front yard:

• Plant a few scented shrubs along your driveway or walkway.
• Containers.  Add a few containers that have seasonal interests near your front door.
• Use a free online color matching tool, and find flowering shrubs & perennials that compliment your homes color.
• Adding night time lighting in your front yard always creates a dramatic flair. There are a lot of solar lighting options available.

5) Grow your own edibles

This trend exploded a few years ago and is still very popular.  Urban gardening has come a long ways, you don’t need a lot of space but the key is to think of different sizes:

• Ornamental edibles are extremely popular. Consider a dwarf citrus tree in a container that can be brought inside in winter. A dwarf Meyer Lemon is a great choice.
• Add a pot on your front porch or patio with something like green beans or dwarf blueberry plants.
• Hanging planters can be used for a wide variety of fruits & vegetables.  Tomato’s, strawberries, peas, various herbs are just a few ideas.

6) Going Green

It’s all about going natural. Organic growing, non-GMO (Gentically Modified Organism). Modern technology & agriculture allows us to find a wide variety of produce year-round at the grocery store. There is, however, a growing concern over the genetically modified food and chemicals used to allow all those choices to make it to your local food store.

• Use natural ways to get rid of weeds not just in your garden but even with your lawn.
• Help your plants grow using organic mulch & compost.  Even better, create your own compost bin.
• Include plants that attract pollinators.