Sally Benson \u2014 June 9, 2017<\/p>\n

\nGoing native, going high tech. That doesn\u2019t make much sense, does it? But according to the most recent customer preference survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects, that\u2019s what customers want.<\/p>\n

According to the ASLA, \u201cCustomers prefer sustainable \u2014 yet tech-friendly \u2014 design elements for their outdoor living spaces. \u2026 For the first time, wireless\/Internet connectivity entered the top 10 project types, suggesting that people want a back yard that allows them to enjoy both nature and connectivity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are the Top 10 project types with the \u201cexpected highest consumer demand\u201d:<\/p>\n

\n
• Native\/adapted drought tolerant plants \u2013 82.31 percent<\/li>\n
• Native plants \u2013 81.60 percent<\/li>\n
• Low-maintenance landscapes \u2013 79.25 percent<\/li>\n
• Food\/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) \u2013 76.52 percent<\/li>\n
• Permeable paving \u2013 76.31 percent<\/li>\n
• Reduced lawn area \u2013 72.66 percent<\/li>\n
• Fire pits\/fireplaces \u2013 71.51 percent<\/li>\n
• Drip\/water-efficient irrigation \u2013 71.05 percent<\/li>\n
• Wireless\/internet connectivity \u2013 70.77 percent<\/li>\n
• Rainwater\/graywater harvesting \u2013 70.32 percent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Seems \u201cconnectivity\u201d has a couple of meanings. Homeowners want to connect with nature \u2013 topping the list are not only plants, but natives or adapted plants that require less water. And homeowners want to connect with the vast universe that is the Web.<\/p>\n

  \u201cThe fact that more consumers want outdoor wireless access shows that they want expanded options for remaining connected to their devices,\u201d said Nancy C. Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA.<\/p>\n

  \u201cWell-designed residential landscapes provide social interaction, enjoyment of nature and physical activity, while also reducing water use and stormwater runoff,\u201d said Somerville.<\/p>\n

  Sounds a little like having your cake and eating it, too. But outdoor kitchens didn\u2019t rank highly in this survey.<\/p>\n

  Consumer requests were broken down further among a number of categories, and the three most requested outdoor design elements are fire pits\/fireplaces, wireless\/Internet connectivity and lighting.<\/p>\n

  No. 1 among the most desired landscape and garden elements is native plants. Low maintenance landscapes and food\/vegetable gardens follow closely. Next?<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Rain gardens<\/li>\n
  • Organic gardens<\/li>\n
  • Water-saving xeriscape or dry gardens<\/li>\n
  • Plant walls\/vertical gardens<\/li>\n
  • Rooftop gardens<\/li>\n
  • Decorative water elements (ornamental pools, fountains, splash pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels or bubblers)<\/li>\n
  • Ponds\/streams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The most popular elements of sustainable design are native\/adapted drought tolerant plants, followed by permeable paving and reduced lawn area. Water-efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting, recycled materials, solar-powered lighting, compost bins and geothermal heated pools also seem to be popular.<\/p>\n

    Wouldn\u2019t it be nice if connecting with nature meant leaving behind the other distractions? Some of us would think so. But if the new \u201cconnectivity\u201d means that more homeowners and more generations are connecting \u2013 in whatever way they\u2019re comfortable \u2013 then by all means, let\u2019s embrace it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Sally Benson \u2014 June 9, 2017 Going native, going high tech. That doesn\u2019t make much sense, does it? But according to the most recent customer preference survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects, that\u2019s what customers want. According to the ASLA, \u201cCustomers prefer sustainable \u2014 yet tech-friendly \u2014 design elements for their outdoor […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nursery","tag-editors-desk"],"yoast_head":"\n