Dive Brief:

• More homeowners will be asking landscape designers for sustainability and low maintenance than for exotic plants or built-in fireplaces this year, according to a new survey from the American Society of Landscape Architects.

• Landscape architects who responded to the society’s Residential Architecture Trends Survey said most of their clients are “ecologically sensitive” and insist on preserving the environment, conserving water, and reducing upkeep.

• The 10 most-requested projects and products, according the survey, are: native plants; drought-tolerant plants; vegetable gardens; fire pits and fireplaces; low-maintenance landscapes; permeable paving; water-efficient irrigation; rain gardens; lighting; and rainwater or graywater harvesting.

Dive Insight:

An eco-friendly landscape design is likely to cost more than one that doesn’t bother with sustainability, water conservation, or native plants. But in a University of Florida study last fall, consumers said they would be willing to pay up to 16 cents more for plants that were grown using energy-saving or sustainable production methods, sold in non-conventional containers or produced locally.

“While 16 cents may not seem like much, researchers see any willingness to pay more to help … the environment as good news,” Brad Buck, a University of Florida science writer, wrote in a campus publication.