10 Top Twin Cities Landscaping Trends

Zen Retreats. It seems that everyone is on the hunt for a calm haven, and Asian–inspired landscapes are the beautiful answer. Water is a common element, but so are simple spans of sand and stone. Whether your space allows for a meandering plan or requires a smaller-scale focus in the vein of an urban Japanese garden, tap local sources to plan your home escape.

Clean Lines. Simplicity in hardscape materials and plants is gaining ground in the Twin Cities, especially for ranch homes and other more modern styles. Because architectural elements are straightforward and plant types are kept to a minimum, you’ll find that many clean-lined landscapes are inherently easy to maintain as well. Smooth cascades of water and calm reflecting ponds complement the aesthetic and work with other elements to coax relaxation.

Relaxing Pools and Ponds. Even if pools today tend to be designed as basic rectangles to easily accommodate automatic sliding covers, homeowners are finding that nature-inspired details such as stone edges and waterfalls are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative. For both pools and ponds, dark floor surfaces help create a more natural reflective look. Blending with the setting is indeed proving to be an enduring trend.

Photo by Gallop Photography

Path Styles. The best paths draw you into a landscape. Let your paver choice (stone or brick, for example), cut (rough- or straight-edged), and installation (direct or meandering) help define your landscape’s look.

Patio Escapes. The most thoughtfully designed patios extend a home’s architecture or make reference to nature. Many are built of stone in paving styles from rustic to sleek and include plants for color and softness.

Architecture That Matches. The lines, materials, and embellishments of the best outdoor structures complement those of your house. Attention to scale also ensures a cohesive, comfortable finished look.

A Mix of Surfaces. Pairing materials (two types of stone, stone and brick, or pavers and crushed stone, for instance) can add attractive definition to large patios, designate zones, or help define borders.

Stone Gardens. Rough stone placed in a landscape becomes one with nature once shrubs and ground covers soften its edges. The best installations are subtle and work in tandem with the scale of plants and garden structures.

Circular Motifs. The circle has beautiful application in the overall design as well as the architectural detail of classic, modern, and even naturalistic landscapes.

Inventive Gates and Fences. Designs using rolls of willow branches and bamboo (framed in wood for a more finished look) and horizontal wood planks are gaining appeal thanks to their clean architectural lines and organic qualities.