In a world where appearances influence nearly every decision we make, it’s no surprise that landscaping decisions are often largely about aesthetics and that certain plants come in and out of “style”. While function is undeniably important—plants must survive, irrigation must work, and spaces must serve a purpose—it’s how a landscape looks and how it makes people feel that is the deciding factor most of the time.
Why Looks Matter in Landscaping
As was already stated the vast majority of landscape work is driven by appearance. Well-manicured lawns, trimmed trees, neatly mulched planters—these all add to curb appeal. Even the most sustainable, low-maintenance landscapes still need to look good to be accepted. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but it seems that the vast majority are not excited to xeriscape their own yards, no matter how ecologically beneficial it may be.
A good landscape creates an emotional response, and luckily for those of us who would like to have more options than the xeriscaping style, there are plenty of low maintenance, drought tolerant options to have a vibrant, green space that looks lush and vibrant. I feel I should mention that a well designed xeriscape can also look beautiful, peaceful , and inviting but that the point here is that it is not the only option for drought tolerant, low maintenance landscaping.
Balancing Looks, Function, and Sustainability
While aesthetics dominate, it doesn’t mean function should be ignored. The best landscapes merge beauty with practicality. This balance is not just possible but necessary for long-term success.
With enough thought and discretion, we can achieve landscapes that are:
- Appealing – They look good and evoke positive feelings.
- Functional – They serve their intended purpose, whether it’s shading a walkway, reducing erosion, or creating a usable outdoor space.
- Resilient – The right plant choices can withstand the inevitable interruptions in the irrigation schedule such as broken irrigation lines, even during the heat of summer without looking like they died after only a day or two without irrigation.
- Low-Maintenance – They require minimal ongoing effort to stay attractive.
This is the same philosophy that applies to fashion and interior design. A wardrobe isn’t just about comfort—it needs to fit well and look good to make you feel confident. A well-designed home isn’t just about utility—it’s about creating a space that feels right. Landscaping is no different.
The Takeaway: Thoughtful Design Can Eliminate Excessive Maintenance
Looks matter—but they don’t have to come at the cost of function or sustainability. A well-designed landscape proves that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Instead of fighting against aesthetics or dismissing their importance, we should embrace the fact that landscapes are judged by their looks and design accordingly. By making thoughtful plant choices, using hardscape elements effectively, and designing with long-term resilience in mind, we can create spaces that look good without excessive maintenance.
If you have any interest in diving deeper into the details of what I have been describing here than please subscribe to my newsletter, where I will get into the weeds (pun intended haha) about the decision making criteria behind; which plants to choose, hardscape, softscape, and designing do’s and dont’s, among many other topics related to landscaping.
Thank you!