I sell more buffalo grass out in the country than I do in town. Everybody hates Bermuda. Reid said his customers' favorite trees are the Shademaster and Moraine locusts, red oak, varieties of ash, sycamore and elms, with the Chinese pistachio gaining in popularity. Cottonwoods, willows and mulberries are being promoted less because of inherent susceptibility to disease and damage, he said. Conservation of water is the most important trend in the landscaping business, Milburn said.
Conservation is the biggest thing.
Clients expect sprinkler systems to run efficiently with little waste, Krause said. Watching an automated system is critical when it's raining or too cold. You don't want to run it when it's freezing or raining. Milburn said he is planting more miscanthus grass, purple fountain grass and red fescue and that customers are moving away from traditional favorites like Manhattan euonymus. The move toward xeriscaping or using native plants with low water needs is trending downward, in Reid's opinion.