We're dreaming green these days, causing landscape architecture to be on the upward trend. The garden is following the home as American affluence is fueling a growing market for high end landscape design. Membership in the century-old American Society of Landscape Architects is up by 20% in the last five years alone bringing the number to over 12,000. The society announced that its members' average income ($52,886) now exceeds that of architects. Some architects are even suggesting their clients budget 15% to 20% of the cost of a new house for the development of the grounds.

And there is more to landscape architecture today than just planting a few shrubs and bushes that will be carefully pruned year after year. Landscape architects are designing "spaces that people inhabit" and are looking to create the feeling that you are surrounded with plants and trees as they would have naturally grown -- nothing contrived or patterned. The spaces, pathways, borders and growing materials all work together to subliminally guide you along, creating an experience through sights, scents, sounds, and textures.

It is also important that spaces sustain themselves environmentally. The most important trend in landscape design is the use of indigenous trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses.

Not only is landscaping important outside the home -- but in offices and public buildings of all kinds. From rocky waterfalls to gardens of trees and plants, more and more companies and corporations are realizing that surrounding their people with the comforting, relaxing effects of nature increases productivity as it provides employees and staff a respite from the demands of the workday.

Transforming Tomorrow

Professional studies have shown the therapeutic effects of physically experiencing nature. From the sounds of the bubbling stream and the rustling trees to the chirping of the birds and the feel of sunlight and gentle breezes, the outdoors has a lot to offer in the rejuvenation of our bodies, minds and spirits.

Spend too much time each day trapped by the bricks and mortar? Find ways to add more "natural" elements into your home or office. Too stressed out at the end of the day? Become a gardener. Whether your garden is expansive, or just encompasses a few containers of flowers or vegetables on the porch, you'll be surprised how much the simple act of watering and nurturing plants will do for you.

Now is the best time to get started. Nurseries and landscape outlets all over the country are receiving shipments of the newest offerings for your garden. Why not stop by on your way home tonight and pick up a plant or two.

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