Wellness done well

Horticulturalist Marc Worner sees opportunities for landscapers in 2026 and forecasts what lies ahead.

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This year has enormous potential for landscapers seeking high-end projects where the clients' budget is a consideration but not a handicap.

As we rethink how we live, work, and unwind, landscapes are becoming valid extensions of the home. They're a space to live, dine, work, unwind, remediate, and connect.

So, think 'friendly zoning'. Consider outdoor dining rooms, BBQ and cooking hubs, retreat-style lounging corners, outdoor kitchen and dining areas, reading or work nooks, poolside chill-out zones, fire pit and winter warming spots, and dedicated recreational zones such as putting greens, basketball practice, and playgrounds.

In 2026, gardens are embracing materials that feel grounded and connected to nature. Expect to see more natural stone (travertine, limestone and sandstone), reclaimed timber, raw-textured pavers, recycled bricks, worn metals, and limewash in soft neutrals. These materials add visual depth, age gracefully, and create a timeless aesthetic that pairs with both modern and classic homes.

Did you know? Simple organic flagstone married with neutral-toned gravel makes for a rugged, earthy garden pathway.

Outdoor health

Everyone is talking about wellness, and now it's moving outdoors in a big way.

Passive exposure to nature can help reduce stress, improve mood and lead to faster recovery times for hospital inpatients.

Think of reflection corners with seating, sensory plants like scented herbs, rustling native grasses and velvety foliage, Al water features that excite the senses, shaded reading nooks or retreats, outdoor yoga or meditation pockets, or plunge pools for garden rituals.

Scented herbs evoke memories, improve mood and promote calm. The staple sensory garden plant, lavender, loved for its fragrance and calming purple hues, is known to help promote sleep and relaxation.