Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

Say goodbye to the traditional green lawn with this eco-friendly 2023 yard trend

Have you ever heard of a wildflower yard? Try this cottagecore lawn trend for a unique aesthetic

Amelia Wilson
By
Cottage home with wildflower front yard garden
Adobe Stock

For many years now, lush green lawns have dominated our landscapes, but a new trend has caught the attention of many environmentalists around the nation. Native plant yards, wildlife conservation lawns, and wildflower lawns are becoming more prominent in front yards and backyards. This is due to the increasing interest in sustainability, environmentally friendly lawn solutions, and the growing interest in cottage home designs.

If you’re looking for a unique way to switch up your landscaping this summer or want to achieve a cottage-yard aesthetic, then a native plant yard could be just what you need. Here’s what you should know.

Recommended Videos

What is a native plant yard?

Traditionally, homeowners often care for their yards by mowing the lawn, adding sod, or planting grass seed. This gives the look of a lush, fresh green yard that many people work hard to achieve all summer long. However, the native plant yard is a step in a different direction.

Related

Those who adore the more natural and organic look of a native plant yard typically avoid mowing the grass or planting grass seed. Instead, this new trend in landscaping allows native plants and wildflowers to spring up and flourish in place of the traditional green lawn. Wild grasses, wildflowers, and small shrubs create a cottage-like aesthetic that feels almost overgrown and entirely natural.

Small farmhouse with wildflowers in the foreground of a front yard
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why do people want to grow native plants?

How did the native plant yard become so trendy? As young environmentalists set foot in their own homes, they began seeking more natural ways to care for their yards. A freshly cut lawn can require a lot of upkeep, herbicides, and water to maintain. The native plant yard trend revolutionizes lawn care by creating a more eco-friendly and natural lawn care routine.

Many people who enjoy native plant yards also enjoy the benefits of having them on their property. Native plant yards help local pollinators, add more biodiversity, are more eco-friendly to maintain, are easier to care for, and look great with a cottagecore aesthetic. In addition, by allowing the native plants to grow and thrive, homeowners don’t need to do much yard work and can sit back, allowing nature to run its course.

Farmhouse with wildflowers in front yard
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How can you make a native plant yard look good?

While the overgrown lawn doesn’t always sound appealing to every homeowner, there are ways to participate in the trend without completely letting your yard go wild.

One of the easiest ways to have a native plant yard is to designate smaller sections of the yard as no-mow zones rather than leaving the whole yard unattended. You could do this in a flower bed, around trees, or even just leave a section of the yard un-mowed to allow native plants to thrive.

For those who want to participate in a fully native plant yard, it’s important to remember that you will need to perform some maintenance to keep the property safe and looking nice. Be sure to cut back weeds that interrupt pathways and tidy the edges of both walkways and the driveway. Additionally, you could sprinkle in some wildflower seeds or plant other lush foliage to fill out the space. Also, be sure to mow the edges of the property to prevent a risk of fire spreading and mow natural pathways throughout the landscape to keep the native plants under control.

Native plant yards aren’t for everyone, but the trend has undoubtedly made an impact on how many environmentalists view landscaping. So, if you’re interested in trying out this 2023 lawn trend or encouraging more native plants to spring up in designated sections on your lawn, try out the native lawn trend and live out your cottagecore dreams.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson
Contributor
Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
This 2023 kitchen design trend adds an organic feel that homeowners are craving
Oak wood cabinets are the '70s revival homeowners are loving in 2023. Here's why
Kitchen with black cabinets and dark wood inspired by midcentury design

As we kick off into a new year of home design, 2023 shows us that sometimes the best inspiration comes from the past. This year, homeowners are craving organic and natural pieces. So, it should come as no surprise that a prominent trend for 2023 is transitioning your outdated kitchen cabinet design to dark wood cabinetry.

Not widely used in kitchen interiors since the 1970s, this trend brings a bit of nostalgia while also suiting the modern interest of adding organic-looking materials to the home. If you want to learn more about this trend and what it could do to benefit your space, then we have everything you need to know.

Read more
6 easy ways to update your home for under $500
Update your home with these inexpensive, easy projects
Couple painting white walls

When most homeowners think of renovations, they think of time-consuming projects that always run over budget. And often, they’re right. But updating your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Tearing down cabinets and installing brand-new hardwood floors aren’t the only ways to up your home design game.

With a bit of planning and elbow grease, you can refresh your space with inexpensive home remodeling projects that will have a considerable impact. Here are six DIY home projects that you can easily complete for less than $500.

Read more
11 bad ideas for your front yard that will kill your curb appeal
Avoid these mistakes for your front yard
A front yard with xeriscape landscaping

You may be thinking about all the projects you want to tackle outdoors thanks to the warmer weather. While you may have grand plans to improve your curb appeal, taking the time and patience to properly land on a front yard design is important. If you want to ensure you're staying on trend and not dating your home, there are some common mistakes to avoid. These will help with the resale value of your home and leave you the envy of all your neighbors.
Landscaping mistakes
These are some common mistakes you'll want to avoid when thinking about landscaping your front yard.
Not having a game plan
One of the biggest mistakes is not having a plan when it comes to the design and layout of your landscaping. This can leave your yard feeling disjointed and your plants at risk of looking overgrown and out of place. Meet with a local garden expert or map out your front yard, including where all plants, trees, rocks, water features, and flowers will live. This will help ensure things don't look too busy or sparse, and it will make your yard feel well thought out.
Using the wrong plants
Understand which plants work for your exact yard. If they need full sun or partial shade, or require a lot of maintenance, it may be a disaster waiting to happen. Not only do you need to consider placement in terms of sunlight, but different flowers and plants have varying schedules of watering, so you want to know exactly what's expected before you plant them.
Too many decorations
Everyone loves a yard that changes with the season in terms of decor, but you can overdo it. You want to avoid garden decor that makes your front yard look tacky or cheap (we're talking to you, plastic deer), so keep decorations to a minimum.

Color pitfalls
We love color, but you need to be careful how and where you use it.
Choosing all one color
We love a monochromatic look as much as the next person, but your home should be welcoming and warm from the first glance. If you prefer having your house the same color as outdoor furniture and plants/flowers, use it as a backdrop. Add one or two pops of color with chair pillows or your front door to breathe a little life into your home.
Choosing too many colors
While it's good to have a little variety, you don't want to overwhelm the outside of your home. Bright colors may work in some parts of the country, but go easy on the rest of your choices. Picking one primary color and one contrasting color that complements it is the safest approach, especially if you're planning to sell your home.

Read more