Moditerranean Yards, Stonescaping & 4 Other Landscaping Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Year

Uh, moditerranean? It’s what landscaping service Yardzen describes as a modern take on Mediterranean style, where the look is streamlined to its simplest elements, and it’s quickly become one of the company’s most requested designs. Think clean lines, neutral colors—like greige-toned pea gravel and concrete paver paths—set against a backdrop of Mediterranean plants, like olive trees, rosemary and agave.

After COVID pressed pause on the concept of lingering in coffee shops, people sought out other “third places” for socially distant gathering—and the front yard became an obvious choice. Many people are adding Adirondack chairs, fire pits or bistro sets, creating designated areas to hang out and catch up with neighbors after a long day.

On the flip side, just as much as we value the chance to connect with our community, sometimes you simply want to chill, undisturbed. And as many people turn their yards into their personal sanctuaries, it makes sense that Yelp has seen searches for hedges skyrocket (up 317 percent in March alone). Yelp surmises the reason behind this is that it’s less obtrusive than a fence, yet still offers a sense of privacy. And, we’d add, it adds to that feeling of having a lush oasis all to yourself.

With droughts plaguing many parts of the U.S.—and considering how much water a typical lawn needs—more people are turning to hardscaping to conserve H2O, Yardzen reports. Adding gravel pathways or areas can help define the space better (say, creating a designated spot for your outdoor dining table or lounge chairs) and it’s practically zero maintenance.

OK, maybe you want to conserve water (and stop fighting to keep your lawn alive), but the thought of pavers or gravel covering your yard is a turnoff. Consider artificial turf—the startup costs are higher than laying sod (expect to spend about $12.33 per square foot, according to lawncare company LawnStarter), but it’s a lot less effort to maintain, particularly if you live in a dry area. Yelp reports that searches are up 75 percent over the past year, proving you’re not alone in dreaming of greener pastures.

While Yardzen first noticed this trend in 2020, it’s only gained momentum since. Rewilding is the act of adding native and climate-adapted plants to your yard. They’re more likely to thrive in your space, and—if you focus on planting pollinators—can attract birds, bees and hummingbirds to your yard. To find out which plants are native to your area, try the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder.

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