What’s hot in landscaping in the Prairie State? Illinois’ top landscaping trends include low maintenance, native plants and grasses, drought-tolerant plants, and disease-resistant plants to reduce the need for chemicals, according to a survey of professionals in the Illinois green industry.

“Care-free or low maintenance landscape designs, plants, and lawns top the list of emerging consumer trends for homeowners,” said Gene Campbell who conducted the survey and compiled the extensive results. “For cemeteries, golf courses, and park districts the most frequently mentioned was the desire for an increase in the use of native grasses and plants both to lower maintenance costs, and to provide a more natural look, as well as to enhance wildlife habitat.”

Both consumers and businesses mentioned the need for more drought and disease resistant plants as a way to save on costs related to water and/or chemicals. “Using less water and applying fewer chemicals are also more environmentally friendly trends,” said Bill Krudenier coordinator of external relations in the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

“Management practices can be changed to include alternative methods such as biological control and the use of organic fertilizers and pesticides,” said Campbell. “These types of products were promoted, used or sold by 17 to 30% of green industry businesses and by up to 23% of residential households. And, all of the participants in the survey reported that they expect to increase their level of activity regarding the use of these environmentally friendly alternatives within the next three to five years.”

To read the complete report, go to www.nres.uiuc.edu/Dynamic.aspx?PageId=83.

source : prairiefarmer.com