Home Garden & Landscaping Ideas For 2021
Is your yard needing a fresh look this spring? Whether you are maintaining your yard to help with curb appeal because you are selling your home or you are just wanting to be outside and enjoying your home to the fullest – read through this blog for some great landscaping ideas. With warmer weather headed our way, now is the perfect time to start thinking about those landscaping projects you have pushed off. Need some inspiration? Look no further. Below are several popular outdoor trends that will give your home a new look this spring and summer.
Growing Native Plants
Growing native plants is a trend starting to take root in the average garden. Native plants provide a variety of benefits and they ultimately make maintaining your outdoor space an easier task. Native plants tend to fare better when there are extreme changes in temperature. They also need less water and care than flowers you buy and plant from a nursery. Other benefits of native pants include providing shelter to wildlife, helping reduce air pollution, and they do not need fertilizer or pesticides.
Popular Native Plants in Ohio
White trillium
Wild geranium
Goldenrod
Butterfly-weed
Black-eyed Susan
Flowering Dogwood
Eastern Red Cedar
Ohio Buckeye
Wild Prairie Rose
Wild Hydrangea
Oak trees
Helping the Pollinators
Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators play an instrumental role in helping regenerate part of our food supply. Therefore, it is important to keep these groups well fed and provided for so that they can continue to thrive. Helping provide food for pollinators is another trend we are seeing. A good way to make sure our pollinator friends are getting the sustenance they need is to plant a variety of flowers in your yard. Bushes and trees help provide shade and shelter, but growing flowers helps provide much needed pollen.
Accent with Outdoor Lighting
Do you have fairy lights or globe lights strung outside? If so, you are already on trend for the outdoor lighting aesthetic. On nice spring or summer evenings why stay inside when you could enjoy the fresh air and nice weather from your backyard? Fairy lights are always a great addition and create a charming look. Tactfully adding lights to illuminate walkways or entryways also helps to improve your home’s nighttime look.
Outdoor Sitting or Living Areas
This past year we have been spending more time in our homes surrounded by our family and friends. However, it is hard staying inside all day, every day. Spring draws us outdoors and we are seeing that reflected in an increase in additions to outdoor sitting/living areas including fire-pits, full outdoor kitchens, and TV’s. There are plenty of ideas and designs to choose from, so if you are feeling inspired to start a new home project you can create the perfect outdoor escape.
Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardening is another trend we are seeing, especially in apartments or homes with smaller yards. When you do not have a lot of space to work with, growing plants in your home or on trellises can help you add a pop of color or a splash of green to your space. Some indoor plants even have added health benefits that can improve air quality, have medicinal benefits, or reduce stress.
Houseplants with Health Benefits
Spider Plant
Aloe Vera
Lavender
English Ivy
Snake Plant
Rosemary
Peace Lily
Boston Fern
No Pest Plants
Nothing can wreak havoc on your garden like hungry deer or other pests like mosquitos. Although there are no guarantees when it comes to keeping your garden entirely pest free, there are some preventative measures you can take to protect the vegetation in your yard or garden.
Instead of spraying your plants down with various pest control sprays, try planting different plants that naturally tend to keep wildlife away. Daffodils and Iris help deter deer from your garden, and planting aromatic plants like lavender, allium, and lilac helps with mosquitoes.
Having citronella candles, catnip, and basil on hand also help with combatting any mosquito problems you might have.
Consider Geometric Patterns/Designs
Based on the size and shape of the yard, it might be a good idea to try and get creative with the layout of your garden. Adding some intricate design patterns to your flower beds or landscaping can really make your backyard pop. However, it is important to make sure you have a set plan for your yard before you start landscaping. Try sketching out your ideas in advance, this way you can get an idea of how the finished product will look. Some patterns or designs might look different or more appealing in certain yards over others.
Blue Gardens
According to the color expert Pantone, Classic Blue was the color of the year for 2020. Blue is a color associated with calmness, so this past year we were seeing an increased use of blue in gardens and yards to help instill connection, confidence, and calm in outdoor living spaces. This year’s color prediction for 2021 is a Cheery Yellow. So this year you may want to consider adding some yellow décor or growing flowers such as marigolds, daffodils, Begonias, Black-Eyed Susans, etc to help brighten up your outdoor living areas.
Potted Plants
Not all flowers have to be planted in flower beds. If you are wanting a garden with low maintenance, try incorporating potted plants into your outdoor space. Potted plants are easier to weed and maintain than looking after a large flowerbed filled with flowers. You can also control the size of your plants better and if needed, you are able to move a plant if it is potted.
People are also starting to grow potted plants indoors. As mentioned in the vertical gardening segment, there are many health benefits to having potted plants inside your home. They help clear the air of toxins and they help prevent indoor dryness. Plants can also help add a bit of color to our homes and brighten up the living space.
Secluded Spaces
Social interaction can be fun, but there are times where we just want some peace and quiet. If having a large outdoor living space is not up your alley, maybe a private garden oasis is more for you. In addition to the outdoor fire-pits and kitchens, we are also seeing trends for converting a corner of the yard into a private reflective area. Many people are modeling these secluded spaces after Japanese gardens which typically include natural hedges, a sitting area for one or two, lush plants, and running water. If you do not have a stream conveniently running through your yard, adding a small fountain can be a great way to incorporate the peaceful sound of running water in your garden.
Source List:
https://jmflandscaping.com/20-landscaping-trends-2021/
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/landscape-layout-for-beginners/
https://www.thespruce.com/design-ideal-size-for-your-lawn-2153028
https://www.lifehack.org/363824/8-houseplants-grow-that-can-dramatically-improve-your-health