Lawn look
Above-normal temperatures, drought and various invasive species preying on weakened trees and plants left them scrambling for solutions.
[...] a lot of the (methods) people have relied on just don't work anymore," observed Jesse Elwet Peters, whose business Jessecology provides eco-friendly garden and landscape design.
Lawns take a lot of care and effort, not to mention fertilizers, water and chemicals.Instead, beds of plantings that provide food for wildlife, or even for the homeowner, can be just as attractive.
On her website, Peters shows a photo of a brick patio with shrubbery and only a small amount of lawn.
Moat says about half his business is from people either seeking to buy a home or to sell one.
Jason Schultz, landscape designer at Faddegon's Nursery in Latham, also recommends native plants to customers looking for something that's more resilient.
Faddegon's carries a line of American Beauties, various perennials, ornamental bushes and grasses, shrubs, vines and conifers that are adapted to the region.