Hyperlocalism Landscape Trend to Impact Braintree, Western MA Neighborhoods

Garden Design Magazine is the publication landscape designers and lawn services turn to for forecasts that share what discerning homeowners will want to see in their landscape. In the 2017 Top Garden Trend Report, alongside the forecasts for more natural, DIY feel lawn features and color block plantings, there’s one trend we feel will really resonate in Braintree: hyperlocalism.

Hyperlocalism takes the idea of using native plants in your landscape to the next level. In addition to locally grown or native grown labels in your local greenhouse, look for the word endemic. Endemic means a plant that will grow in your location spontaneously, without any encouragement on your part. Endemic plants have one huge advantage for the homeowner: they thrive in conditions that may be too dry, too snowy, or otherwise too extreme for other plant varieties.

Many Braintree property owners have talked to us about needing to replace trees and shrubs that were lost to last year’s droughts. From a hyperlocal perspective, you’ll want to consider red maple, white oak, and fire cherry trees; native bushes include the Mountain Laurel, Sweet Pepperbush, and the Swamp Azalea. The color palette of endemic and native flowering plants runs heavily to yellows and blues; your Braintree lawn service will help you select plants that will thrive given your home’s unique soil and sunlight conditions.

As an added bonus, not only do native and endemic plants know how to stand up to harsh weather conditions, they can handle the wildlife as well. If you’ve ever planted tender exotic shrubs only to see the deer eat every last leaf, you know what a frustrating, expensive experience that is! Because endemic plants are much more of an everyday experience in a deer’s life, they don’t pursue them with the same intensity as they do tasty exotics.