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Top 10 Landscaping Trends for 2025

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Apr 23, 2025 | Flowers, Fountains, Hardscaping, Irrigation, Landscape Design, Native Plants, Patios, Ponds, Retaining Walls, Shrubs, Softscaping, Trees, Walkways, Water Features

As the 2025 landscaping season ramps up, homeowners in Southwestern Ontario are reimagining their outdoor spaces in creative and sustainable ways. Landscaping today isn’t just about curb appeal — it’s about creating functional, beautiful environments that enhance everyday living. Whether you’re planning a full backyard makeover or a few thoughtful upgrades, these top 10 landscaping trends for 2025 will inspire you to make the most of your property.

Native and Climate-Adapted Plantings

Choosing plants that are native or well-adapted to Southwestern Ontario’s variable climate is more popular than ever. Homeowners are prioritizing low-maintenance gardens that thrive naturally, resist pests, and support local pollinators. Think of examples like milkweed, black-eyed Susans, serviceberry trees, and native grasses — all beautiful choices that minimize the need for heavy watering and chemical treatments.

Expanded Outdoor Living Spaces

top 10 landscaping trends of 2025 outdoor living spaces kitchen patio Backyards are becoming true extensions of the home. Patios, decks, and pergolas are being designed to accommodate full outdoor kitchens, lounge areas, and even fireplaces. Durable hardscaping materials like concrete pavers, natural stone, cedar, and composite decking are essential for creating spaces that stand up to Ontario’s freeze-thaw cycles while offering year-round comfort.

Sustainable Hardscaping

Eco-conscious design is everywhere, including hardscaping. Permeable pavers, gravel paths, and rain gardens are helping manage storm water more naturally. Many homeowners are opting for reclaimed stone, recycled concrete, and other sustainable materials that reduce environmental impact while adding character to their landscape designs.

Low-Voltage and Smart Landscape Lighting

Lighting is no longer an afterthought. In 2025, smart, energy-efficient landscape lighting is lighting up pathways and driveways, highlighting key plantings, and extending the use of outdoor spaces well into the evening. LED technology and app-controlled systems allow for customization, energy savings, and a major boost to nighttime curb appeal.

Edible Gardens and Foodscaping

With a growing interest in sustainability and healthy living, more homeowners are integrating edible plants into their landscape designs. Raised vegetable beds, herb spirals, espalier fruit trees, and berry bushes can blend seamlessly into ornamental gardens, offering beauty and function. Even small backyards and front yards are getting the edible garden treatment.

Multi-Season Landscaping

A truly great landscape in Southwestern Ontario must shine beyond summer. In 2025, landscape designs are increasingly focused on year-round interest: evergreens for winter structure, ornamental grasses for fall texture, and spring bulbs for early colour. Creating dynamic plantings that offer beauty in all four seasons is a top priority.

Water Features That Soothe and Sustain

Landscaping trends soothing water feature fountain bubbling rock The soothing sound of water is in high demand, but today’s water features are smarter. Eco-friendly bubbling rocks and rain-fed ponds are being designed to conserve water and minimize maintenance. Proper planning ensures these features remain operational and visually appealing even during Ontario’s colder months.

Outdoor Wellness Spaces

People are turning to their backyards for relaxation and rejuvenation. Meditation gardens, labyrinths, yoga decks, and small spa-like areas with features like hot tubs or cozy seating nooks are trending. These spaces often include calming plant palettes, privacy screens, and soft lighting to complete the feel of a personal retreat.

Bold Colour Palettes and Statement Plants

While naturalistic plantings are still popular, 2025 is also embracing bold. Landscape designers are playing with vibrant foliage, deep purples, fiery reds, and electric blues. Statement plants — like Japanese maples, blue spruce, or mass plantings of black mondo grass — are being used to create striking focal points and dramatic contrasts.

Flexible, Modular Designs

Flexibility is key as families’ needs evolve. Modular hardscaping elements like moveable planters, modular patio systems, and easy-to-rearrange seating areas make it simple to adapt the landscape for different activities or events. This trend is perfect for homeowners who want their spaces to grow and change with them.

Ready to Refresh Your Landscape in 2025?

At A Touch of Dutch Landscaping and Garden Services, we stay on top of the latest trends while staying grounded in what works best for our unique climate in Southwestern Ontario. Whether you’re dreaming of a complete backyard transformation or want to refresh your space with smart upgrades, we’re here to bring your vision to life.

Contact us today to start planning your 2025 landscaping project!

Common Lawn and Garden Pests

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Mar 26, 2024 | Flowers, Foliage, Gardening, Lawn care, Trees

Spring has arrived and green is overtaking white. However, the growing season is accompanied by pests who like to feast on our landscapes. Below, we’ll shed light on some of the most common lawn and garden pests in Southwestern Ontario – their origins, identification, prevention, and management strategies.

Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica)

Japanese Beetles are a Common Lawn and Garden Pest Japanese beetles were introduced from Japan in the early 20th century and have since made themselves at home in Southwestern Ontario. These beetles have a metallic green color with copper-colored wings and are often found munching on the leaves of roses, grapes, and fruit trees.

Control Methods

Handpick the beetles
Use row covers
Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil
Introduce beneficial nematodes to target the larvae

Dealing with Damage

Prune damaged foliage and promote plant health through proper care.

Aphids (Aphidoidea)

Aphids on a rose stem Aphids are native to North America and thrive in our temperate climate, reproducing rapidly and infesting a wide range of plants. This makes Aphids one of the most common among the common lawn and garden pests in our region. Look for clusters of small, green, pear-shaped insects on plant stems and new growth of various garden plants, including roses, vegetables, and fruit trees.

Control Methods

Encourage natural predators such as ladybugs and lacewings
Use insecticidal soap or neem oil, and blast aphids off plants with a strong stream of water.

Dealing with Damage

Prune heavily infested areas and monitor plant recovery.

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Native to Asia, emerald ash borers arrived in North America in the early 2000s and have devastated ash tree populations. Look for D-shaped exit holes in ash tree bark, canopy dieback, and S-shaped larval galleries under the bark.

Control Methods

Implement preventive treatments such as trunk injections with systemic insecticides
Consider replacing susceptible ash trees with resistant species.

Dealing with Damage

Prune dead branches and monitor remaining ash trees for signs of infestation.

Spider Mites (Tetranychidae)

Tiny Spider Mites on Stem - Common Pest Spider mites are native to North America and thrive in warm, dry conditions, rapidly infesting plants. Look for fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and stippling or discoloration on foliage of garden plants, including tomatoes, beans, and ornamentals.

Control Methods

Increase humidity around plants
Introduce predatory mites or insects
Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap

Dealing with Damage

Trim away heavily infested foliage and monitor plant recovery.

White Grubs (Scarabaeidae larvae)

White Grubs feed on grass roots and destroy grass These soil-dwelling larvae are the immature stage of beetles like Japanese beetles, and they primarily feed on grass roots. Look for patches of dead or dying grass, which may indicate white grub infestation.

Control Methods

Use beneficial nematodes or milky spore disease to target grubs in the soil

Dealing with Damage

Re-seed affected areas and maintain proper lawn care practices.

Cutworms (Noctuidae larvae)

Cutworm is a common garden pest Cutworms are native to North America and are nocturnal pests that feed on young seedlings at or below ground level. Look for seedlings that have been cut off at the base.

Control Methods

Use collar barriers around seedlings
Handpick cutworks from plants
Apply biological controls

Dealing with Damage

Replant damaged seedlings and protect them from future attacks.

Slugs and Snails (Gastropoda)

Common Lawn and Garden Pests - Slugs and Snails Slugs and snails are native to the region and are nocturnal pests that feed on plant foliage and tender shoots of a range of garden plants. Follow slime trails and look for irregular holes in leaves.

Control Methods

Set up beer traps
Apply diatomaceous earth
Handpick them off of plants
Introduce natural predators like toads and birds

Dealing with Damage

Trim away damaged foliage and keep garden areas clean and tidy.

Cabbage Worms (Pieris rapae)

Cabbage worm feeds on cabbage leaf Cabbage worms are native to North America and are the larval stage of small white butterflies. As their name implies, they feed on brassica crops. Look for green caterpillars on cabbage family plants (cabbage, broccoli, kale), causing chewing damage to leaves.

Control Methods

Handpick caterpillars
Use floating row covers
Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
Encourage natural predators

Dealing with Damage

Trim away damaged leaves and protect plants from future infestations.

Thrips (Thysanoptera)

Common pest - small thrip on leaf Thrips are native insects that feed on the sap of garden plants, including roses, onions, and peppers. They can transmit diseases to a wide range of plants. Look for tiny, slender insects and silvery patches on leaves.

Control Methods

Use insecticidal soap or neem oil
Introduce predatory insects

Dealing with Damage

Trim away damaged foliage and monitor plant health.

Scale Insects (Coccoidea)

Scale Insects on stem - common pest Scale insects are native to North America and can weaken or kill plants by feeding on sap and excreting honeydew of ornamental and fruit-bearing trees. Look for small, immobile insects on stems and leaves, often surrounded by a protective shell.

Control Methods

Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
Introduce natural enemies like ladybugs

Dealing with Damage

Prune away heavily infested branches and monitor plant recovery.

This guide will help prepare you to identify and combat common lawn and garden pests in Southwestern Ontario. Remember to stay vigilant, implement preventive measures, and maintain overall plant health to keep those pesky critters at bay.

Pest control product mentioned above – insecticidal soap, diatomaceous earth, neem oil, nematodes, collar barriers, floating row covers – are available at local garden centres. When purchasing, talk to staff about proper application/use for optimal effectiveness.

Compact Trees and Shrubs for Small Spaces

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Jan 17, 2024 | Flowers, Foliage, Landscape Design, Shrubs, Softscaping, Trees

Transform your petite yard into a lush oasis with our top recommendations for compact trees and shrubs for small spaces in hardiness zones 5 and 6. We understand the challenges posed by these demanding climates. But with the right plant selection, you can cultivate a vibrant and inviting outdoor space that thrives. Discover the perfect options for small yards and narrow spaces in our guide below.

Dwarf Korean Lilac

In small yards, this compact lilac variety shines with fragrant blooms in a stunning lavender hue. It serves as an ideal focal point or a charming addition to borders.

Japanese Maple

The compact “Crimson Queen” Japanese maple is a stunning ornamental tree prized for its compact size and rich burgundy cut-leaf foliage. It belongs to the Aceraceae family and is a dwarf cultivar of the Japanese maple species. The Crimson Queen typically grows to about 6 to 8 feet high. Its spreading, cascading form creates an elegant and graceful appearance.

Compact Burning Bush

Add a burst of color to your small yard with the Compact Burning Bush, known for its fiery fall foliage. Its compact size and low maintenance make it a popular choice for tight spaces.

Boxwood

The boxwood is a popular evergreen shrub that belongs to the Buxaceae family. It is widely cultivated for its dense foliage and compact growth habit in landscaping and garden design. Boxwoods are versatile and known for their small, glossy, and leathery leaves.

Dwarf Balsam Fir

The Dwarf Balsam Fir is a variant of the balsam fir and is known for its compact size and dense growth habit. The dwarf balsam fir typically reaches a height of about 3 to 6 feet and has a pyramidal shape with short, soft dark green needles.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, these plants are admired for their compact growth habit. They typically form dense, rounded bushes with a well-branched structure. This makes them ideal for creating hedges, borders, or even standalone focal points. Their compact nature allows them to fit well in smaller gardens or confined spaces. And they provide a burst of color and greenery without overwhelming an area. It’s easy to maintain and shape these flowering shrubs through pruning, enabling gardeners to control their size and promote healthy growth.

Weeping Pussy Willow

With its graceful weeping branches and early spring catkins, the Weeping Pussy Willow brings whimsy and charm to small yards without overwhelming the space.

Compact Hydrangea

‘Little Lime,’ a smaller version of the popular ‘Limelight,’ adds a touch of romance to limited spaces. With its showy, cone-shaped blooms, this hydrangea is beautiful in small areas.

Pencil Point Juniper

The Pencil Point Juniper is a fantastic addition to small yards. With its slender, columnar form and compact size, it adds a vertical elegance without taking up much space. The blue-green foliage adds a touch of colour and texture to your garden, making it an excellent choice for adding visual interest.

To achieve a stunning small yard in hardiness zones 5 and 6, selecting the right compact trees and shrubs for a small yard is crucial. Choose trees and shrubs that are naturally compact or can be pruned to fit your space, ensuring your garden is both beautiful and tailored to the demands of your region. Embrace the diverse colors, shapes, and sizes available among these selections, and witness your small yard transform into a captivating retreat that delights you throughout the seasons.

Colourful Autumn Plants

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Oct 10, 2023 | Flowers, Foliage, Shrubs, Softscaping, Trees

Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs That Look Great in Autumn

As the summer heat gives way to cooler temperatures and the days grow shorter, nature puts on a breathtaking display with colourful autumn plants that herald the arrival of a new season. The changing foliage is one of the most enchanting aspects of the fall season, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than by incorporating stunning perennials, trees, and shrubs into your garden landscape. In this blog post, we’ll explore a selection of these autumnal gems that can transform your outdoor space into a captivating fall wonderland.

A Selection of Colourful Autumn Plants

Sugar Maple (Acer spp.)

When it comes to fall foliage, few trees can rival the brilliance of maples. Known for their fiery red, orange, and yellow leaves, maple trees are iconic symbols of autumn. Varieties like the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and Red Maple (Acer rubrum) are especially popular for their vibrant colour transformations. Plant one in your yard, and you’ll be treated to a stunning display of orange and crimson leaves that will be the envy of every neighbour on your block.

Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)

Oak trees, with their bold and enduring leaves, are another fantastic choice for fall colour. While oak leaves tend to change colour later in the season, they often turn deep shades of russet, burgundy, and brown. These majestic trees are not only beautiful but also provide valuable wildlife habitat and shade, making them a practical and aesthetically pleasing addition to any landscape.

Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum)

Japanese maples are renowned for their elegant and delicate foliage. These smaller trees or large shrubs come in a variety of cultivars, each offering unique leaf shapes and colours. In the fall, the leaves of Japanese maples often turn brilliant shades of red, orange, or purple. These trees can be used as focal points in your garden or as accents to complement other plants.

Ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

The foliage of the ornamental pear tree in the fall is nothing short of spectacular. As the temperatures begin to drop and the days grow shorter, these trees undergo a remarkable transformation. Late to change colour, the typically glossy green leaves of the ornamental pear take on a vibrant and rich array of autumn hues, ranging from brilliant shades of orange and deep red to warm purples when many other trees have turned brown or have shed their leaves. The canopy of an ornamental pear tree, with its fiery foliage, becomes a captivating focal point in any landscape, providing a breathtaking and enduring display that continues well into the fall season.

Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

The Burning Bush, also known as the Winged Euonymus, is a compact shrub that truly lives up to its name in the fall. Its leaves explode into vibrant shades of crimson, creating a striking visual contrast against the green backdrop of your garden. This deciduous shrub is not only stunning but also low-maintenance, making it a favorite of all colourful autumn plants among gardeners looking for a hassle-free addition to their fall landscape.

Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Sumac trees are another colourful addition to the fall landscape, showcasing their unique beauty as the season progresses. In the autumn, sumac leaves transform into a brilliant palette of red, orange, and burgundy, creating a fiery spectacle that catches the eye from afar. Their feathery, pinnate leaves often persist well into late fall, providing a striking contrast against the backdrop of the changing landscape. What makes sumac trees even more appealing is their upright, architectural growth habit, which adds structure and drama to your garden. As the sumac’s vibrant foliage unfurls, it signals the arrival of fall in a grand and picturesque manner, making it an outstanding choice for those seeking a bold statement in their autumn garden design.

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.)

Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are a classic choice for adding a burst of colour to your fall garden. These perennials come in a wide range of colours, including deep purples, vibrant yellows, and warm oranges. Plant them in pots or garden beds to create stunning displays that can last well into the late autumn. Mums are also perfect for adding a touch of fall festivity to your outdoor decor.

Asters (Symphyotrichum puniceum)

Asters, often referred to as the “stars of autumn,” truly shine in the fall landscape. These charming perennials burst into bloom just as summer transitions into autumn, covering gardens with a sea of vibrant colours. With their daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white, asters add a delightful contrast to the changing foliage around them. As the days grow shorter and cooler, asters continue to thrive, providing a late-season nectar source for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Their resilient and cheerful presence makes them a beloved choice for gardeners seeking to extend the beauty of their outdoor spaces well into the fall months.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

For those seeking a rustic and wild look in their fall landscape, consider Virginia Creeper. This deciduous vine boasts a brilliant display of fiery red foliage in the autumn. It can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or arbors, creating a dramatic and picturesque backdrop for your garden. Be aware that this vine can be quite invasive, so it’s best if it has lots of space to grow, like a long fence line. To contain it cut it back regularly and dig out new root growth.

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisper, there’s no better time to celebrate the beauty of fall foliage in your garden. Whether you opt for the blazing reds of maples and burning bushes, the elegant hues of Japanese maples, or the varied shades and classic charm of chrysanthemums, there’s a wide range of perennials, trees, and shrubs to choose from. With a well-planned selection, your garden can become a stunning tribute to the gorgeous colours of autumn.

As always, if you’re not much of a green thumb or would just like some professional landscaping assistance, contact us to get started.

Five Ways to Attract Wildlife to Your Backyard

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Jan 4, 2023 | Flowers, Gardening, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Native Plants, Ponds, Shrubs, Trees, Water Features

If you are looking for ways to attract wildlife to your backyard, then you have come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll be exploring different methods for attracting and nurturing wildlife in an eco-friendly way. We will discuss how native plants can provide food and habitat, which water sources are best suited for animals, how to create safe shelters, and much more. By the end of this blog post, you’ll have all the tips and tricks required to turn your backyard into a thriving habitat for various types of animals.

Plant a variety of native plants that provide food and habitat.

Planting a variety of native plants is one of the best ways to attract wildlife to your backyard. Native plants provide food in the form of berries and nuts, as well as providing shelter and nesting materials. They also help to increase biodiversity, which helps promote healthier ecosystems for animals to thrive in. Planting native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses will create a space that allows for birds, insects, and other animals to find food and shelter from predators. Not only do these plants have benefits for wildlife but they require less maintenance than non-native plants since they are accustomed to the local soil conditions and climate.

Provide water sources, such as bird baths and small ponds.

Provide water source for wildlife pollinators pond waterfall bubbler Providing a source of water is essential for wildlife in your backyard. Bird baths and small ponds are excellent methods of providing a source of water. Not only do they help to attract birds and other animals, but they also give them a safe source of hydration. If you are looking to create a bird bath or pond, make sure it is shallow enough that there is no risk of drowning.Additionally, place rocks or pebbles in the water to provide areas where animals can drink safely without having to enter the water. One caveat: ensure your water source doesn’t freeze over by keeping water moving (with a bubbler or waterfall) or add a small heater to keep it usable. By adding these water sources you will be able to keep birds and other animals safe, hydrated, and happy in your backyard.

Keep pets indoors or away from areas of wildlife activity.

Keep pets indoors to avoid scaring off wildlife from your backyard Keeping pets indoors or away from areas of wildlife activity is an important part of protecting wildlife in your backyard. Cats and dogs may be attracted to the small animals in your yard, such as birds, rodents, or other creatures. It is best to keep these pets inside or restrain them while they are outside so they do not disturb or harm any wildlife.Additionally, make sure that any outdoor dog runs are not set up in areas where wildlife likes to rest and feed. By taking these extra steps you can ensure that both your pets and the local wildlife stay safe and happy.

Create a shelter for wildlife with logs, brush piles, birdhouses, and nesting boxes.

Creating a shelter for wildlife can be a great way to improve your backyard habitat. Logs, brush piles, birdhouses, and nesting boxes are all excellent places for animals to take refuge from harsh weather or predators. Logs provide shelter underneath and can also be used by birds as perching spots.Brush piles offer animals tall grasses and shrubs to hide in while keeping warm. Birdhouses and nesting boxes give birds and small animals a safe place to build their homes. All of these structures will help create an inviting environment for wildlife in your backyard.

Leave some areas of your garden undisturbed.

undisturbed flower garden hyacinth daffodils hummingbird moth Providing undisturbed areas in your garden is a great way to support local wildlife. By leaving some areas of your garden untouched, you are giving animals the chance to make their own homes without interruption from people or pets.This can take the form of wild patches of grass, untended corners of your yard, or piles of sticks and logs that provide harborage for small creatures. Even if it seems like doing nothing is best, keeping these areas free from human activity and disturbance will be beneficial to the wildlife that makes use of them.

With a few simple changes and an open mind, you can transform your backyard into a hub of biodiversity, where birds, amphibians, mammals, and insects come together to build their homes. Create shelters with logs, brush piles, birdhouses, and nesting boxes to attract wildlife to your backyard. Leave some areas of your garden undisturbed for animals to make their own homes. Once you get started on making your backyard more wildlife-friendly, there’s no telling all the types of critters that will call it home.

Plant Combinations

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Sep 30, 2022 | Flowers, Foliage, Gardening, Landscape Design, Native Plants, Shrubs, Softscaping

When it comes to selecting plants, shrubs and trees for your gardens, there are myriad options you can choose to add visual interest, minimize maintenance, and attract birds, bees, and other pollinators. But the real magic happens when you select plant combinations that complement one another, elevating the overall effect.

When you drive by a home and find yourself admiring their beautiful landscaping, it’s typically not due to an individual element in their garden, but rather the combination of plants, shrubs, and trees that work nicely together.

Regardless of whether you’re planning a formal or informal style, you can find specimens that will help you achieve the look you’re aiming for. A few things to consider:

Height

Create depth and balance by grouping elements of various heights. Taller plants/trees can be placed at the back (or middle for an island flowerbed) while shorter selections can be added at the front or around the edge.

Shape

Consider the various shapes of foliage, flowers, and overall plants. While consistent shapes throughout a design can be effective, they tend to lend a more formal appearance, so choose shapes accordingly. Also, look for options that tend to naturally hold the desired shapes to minimize the additional task of pruning.

Quantity

Design theory dictates that odd numbers are more visually appealing, so group plants, shrubs, and trees accordingly.

Seasonality

Some perennials look great in spring, summer, and fall (and even winter). Others have features that really shine for only a limited amount of time during one season, and then are rather unremarkable the rest of the year. For example, Forsythia is full of brilliant yellow blooms in the spring while the Burning Bush foliage is a brilliant red in the fall. Group elements to ensure that at least one plant or tree is always offering some visual interest.

Colour

Play around by planting different shades of the same colour. Go monochromatic by planting elements whose colours are all the same, but size and shape varies. Or select plants, shrubs, and trees whose colours are different from one another but complementary.

Hardiness

If you’re planting combinations that you want to come back year after year, ensure they’re all appropriate for your hardiness zone. Stratford and area’s hardiness zone is generally a 6. If in doubt, ask the nursery where you buy your plants.

Plant Combinations for Sun and Shade

Sun

Coneflowers, Ornamental Grasses , Black-Eyed Susan, and Gayfeather (Liatrus) creates a low-maintenance prairie look that is colourful and showy from early summer to late fall.

Shade

Combining Hostas with Ferns and Japanese Forest Grass creates visual interest with a range of leaf sizes, textures, and colours. And Hostas provide the added bonus of white or pale purple blooms in the summer.

These are just two of many types of plant combinations you could try in your gardens. If you’re interested in adding or enhancing visual interest in your gardens but don’t want to do it yourself, contact us to discuss your landscaping goals.

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