According to Svenson a number of trends are shaping the nursery industry's decision to develop new landscape plants.
Society wants to improve environmental stewardship and reduce the use of pesticides.
This is reflected as an increased demand for new ornamentals with increased resistance to pests and improved tolerance to environmental stresses. As landscapes shrink in size, with increasing population and urbanization, there is more demand for smaller plants with multi-season appeal, and multiple functions such as edible ornamentals. With smaller landscapes, also comes a need for new kinds of trees that better assist with heating and cooling homes. Increased pollution has created more demand for urban stress-tolerant plants and plants that are efficient at cleaning pollutants from the air, soil and water. As the amount of time to take care of yards seems to shrink, people want plants that require less maintenance.