7 Common & Outdated Landscape Features to Update in Your Orlando Landscape

Landscaping doesn’t last forever. Just like that western shirt with the snaps and your aunt’s beehive hairdo, some stuff goes out of style.

Ready to boot your outdated landscaping and hop on some modern landscape design ideas?

Eric Frisch, landscape designer at Ground Source, shares some outdated landscaping features — and suggestions for a contemporary refresh.

So, what’s out?

1. Old Shrubs

“Hedges get thin and leggy when they’re 20 to 25 years old,” Frisch says. “They look thin, woody, and you're shaving off any flower buds from flowering shrubs in order to keep them small enough.”

When they get too big to maintain properly, it's time for an update.

If your shrubs are older, chances are they’re heavily pruned, too — creating an outdated landscape that's past its prime.

A more modern landscape design idea: replace your shabby shrubs or too-pruned hedges with looser, more contemporary layers of plants, Frisch suggests.

Mix plants with different shapes and textures: podocarpus; boxwoods; dwarf Walter's viburnum; red-berried Buford holly; Asiatic jasmine.

Simple green layers with an emphasis on more foliage and fewer flowers offer a more contemporary look.

Check out foliage superstars Gold Mound Duranta and Chinese Fringe Flower. And you can’t go wrong with Frisch favorite Schefflera ‘Trinette,’ a showy shrub that brightens up darker areas with its cheerful leaves.

2. Red Mulch

“Red mulch is the worst,” Frisch says.

What mulch better fits current landscape design trends? Anything but red,  Frisch says — as long as you keep it fresh. Mulch fades in the strong Central Florida sun and breaks down over time, so you’ll need to replace it once or twice a year.

Fresh mulch offers that final finishing touch to make your landscaping shine.

Meanwhile, it’s a landscaping rock star, helping your soil retain moisture, preventing weeds and keeping rainwater from washing away your garden soil.

“Top-dressing old mulch is critical for not just good looks, but also to cover up composting mulch and dirt that would allow weeds to grow,” Frisch says.

3. Crushed Concrete in Beds

Crushed concrete isn’t just outdated landscaping — it’s not even meant to be landscaping material, Frisch says.

“It looks messy and cheap,” he says. “Crushed concrete is fine for a gravel driveway, but not in beds.”

Even decorative gravel poses problems that makes a property look old and messy, he says.

“Decorative gravel can get full of leaves, dirt, and grass clippings, which if not blown out regularly will make the stone look dirty,” Frisch says.

Then, the debris begins to compost, he says, becoming the perfect environment for unsightly weeds to grow.

A more modern landscape design needs mulch.

4. Old Artificial Turf

How old is your artificial turf? It might scream outdated landscaping.

“The old turf that looks like a mini golf course is terrible,” Frisch says.  “Most of the modern turf we see and use hasn’t been around long enough to weather away or fade, so it tends to look fine.”

Invest in the good stuff, he says, and have it professionally installed. It’s easy to make DIY mistakes that leave waves in the surface or edges that pull up.

“That can ruin a good turf job.”

5. Bishop’s Hat Pavers

If your pavers have the pointy triangular shape of a bishop’s hat, sorry, they’re outdated landscaping.

“The bishop's hat style just screams 80's and 90's and likely will never be back in style,”  Frisch says.

Not all old pavers go out of style.

“Old paver styles can be fine if they match the era of the house,” Frisch says. He loves the look of weathered brick pavers with a 100-year-old house for a classic design that holds up over time.

A few of the latest landscape design trends in pavers:

• Mixed materials. Combine concrete pavers with elements of natural stone for extra interest.
• Geometric designs. This overall design trend lends itself well to contemporary paver patio designs.
• Large pavers. The clean, minimal look of large-format pavers offers a sleek, contemporary feel.

6. Faded Pavers

Modern landscape design doesn’t include worn, faded pavers.

“New concrete pavers that are darker, especially red colors, can fade a lot over time if they don't get sealed enough,” Frisch says.

Faded, weathered pavers are unsightly, he says. It might be time to replace them.

“Sometimes you just have to swap the pavers and not necessarily tear the base material apart, just to make it look fresh again,” he says.

Then, stay on top of that sealer. Its protective coating keeps the sun’s harsh rays from fading your pavers’ great color. Paver sealant prevents weathering from rain, too. It also repels stains, keeps weeds from growing between pavers and deters pesky ants from building mounds in those spaces between pavers.

Plan to seal pavers every 2-5 years. How often you need sealer depends on several factors, including whether the area is covered or exposed, if it's under a screen enclosure with UV protection, if it's located under a tree or in a humid area.

7. Overdone Yard Decor

The best new landscaping ideas don’t include flocks of plastic flamingos or wind chime collections.

“Less is more,” Frisch says, when it comes to yard decor.

“Tacky statues, art, and water features can make a yard look bad,” he says.

More modern landscape design ideas: “Use clean and simple pots, minimal wild colors, and don’t overdo the artwork.”

Complement the landscape, Frisch says — don’t overpower it.

A Few Frisch Tips to Keep It Fresh

Modern landscape design ideas complement your home’s architecture and are manageable to maintain, Frisch says:

Get the Vibe Right

“Your landscape should match the vibe of the architecture,” Frisch says. “The property should have a consistent theme if you want it to look nice.

“I try to get a feel for what the design of the house is inside and out,” he says. “If it's modern all over, then the landscaping should be modern, too — clean hedges, straight lines, a manicured look, and less plant variety.”

Avoid Pinterest Perfection

Clients often bring Frisch pages of Pinterest ideas from picture-perfect landscaping styled for magazine shoots.

That’s not realistic, he says.

“In no way will anyone spend that much time in the Florida heat doing that much work,” he says.

Shoot for a Central Florida landscape design you can maintain.

“Look around your neighborhood to see what people are doing, see what plants are doing well, then carry some of that into your yard,” he suggests.

Beware ‘Tropical’ Landscaping Ideas in Orlando

When you’re looking online for plant ideas, be aware not all tropical plants will thrive in Central Florida, Frisch says. Temperatures can dip below freezing. Some areas have poor soil.

When clients find photos of plants they love that won’t thrive here, Frisch can usually find similar substitutes that will work in a Central Florida landscape design.

Looking for Landscape Design Trends? Trust Ground Source

Maybe you love modern landscape design ideas. Maybe you’re craving a traditional garden for your vintage house vibe.

Professional landscape designers like Frisch are ready for anything.

Mostly, you should love it.

“It’s about getting a feel for what the client likes to see, not necessarily what I like,” he says.

We’re landscape experts, and our teams will be there with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.

Sod, irrigation, landscape design: let us transform your yard to create an impressive escape.

Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.