The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has released its 2018 survey, and PR manager Karen Grajales says one possible conclusion is that "Sustainability is a key trend when it comes to residential landscapes -- as well as space for outdoor fitness activities like yoga and the ability to charge mobile devices."
The survey this year was revised to include single-family as well as multi-family and retirement communities. And due to that change, some new items entered the top 10 project types for the first time: outdoor spaces that could be used for activities like yoga or movie nights, and charging stations for mobile devices.
The highest client demand was for projects with native plants, native/drought-tolerant plants, and low-maintenance landscapes -- each scoring over 80 percent.
The other top ten elements -- each scoring over 70 percent -- included flexible use spaces, water-efficient irrigation, permeable paving, rain gardens, reduced lawn areas, edible garden areas and charging stations for mobile devices.
Fireplaces and firepits were also popular, along with outdoor seating and dining spaces. Enhanced railing systems, some with cable or glass, were top outdoor structure elements this year, followed by pergolas and decks.
Sports courts, spa features and swimming pools fell in popularity, replaced by recreation areas for dogs and bocce courts.
And for those of you who still might be into English gardens, formal gardens fell to bottom of the "gardens" category this year, scoring only 15 percent in popularity.
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