As the green industry continues to evolve, so do the materials that power it. The 2025–2026 landscape season is being shaped by regional climate shifts, evolving design standards, labor constraints, and growing sustainability demands, all of which directly impact how contractors and buyers source landscape materials.
Here are the key trends shaping what’s being specified, stocked, and shipped in the months ahead.
1. Native and Regionally Adapted Plants Are Taking Priority
Designers and municipalities alike are pushing for plant palettes that support biodiversity and require less ongoing maintenance. That means buyers are seeing more requests for:
- Native shrubs, trees, and perennials
- Plants that support pollinators or migratory species
- Selections with strong drought, heat, or salt tolerance
This is especially true in commercial and municipal bids, where regulatory guidelines are reinforcing ecological performance over aesthetic novelty.
Tip: Sourcing native material early is critical, especially in regions where supplier field availability is limited or demand peaks during short planting windows.
2. Growing Demand for Low-Maintenance, High-Impact Plant Material
With labor costs rising and maintenance crews stretched thin, landscape contractors are turning to plant selections that offer visual impact without requiring ongoing care. The emphasis is on durability, longevity, and performance in tough conditions, especially for large-scale commercial or municipal jobs.
Popular plant categories gaining traction:
- Ornamental grasses and groundcovers that fill space and suppress weeds
- Shrubs with tidy habits that need little pruning or structural support
- Trees with strong disease resistance and minimal cleanup needs (e.g. leaf litter, fruit drop)
We're seeing more project specs favor plants that establish quickly and thrive with minimal inputs, which reduces site maintenance and supports long-term landscape success. For buyers, that means sourcing decisions need to account not just for aesthetics, but also for install efficiency and maintenance ROI.
3. Buyers Are Planning Orders Further in Advance
Procurement patterns are shifting. Instead of waiting until the week before install, many buyers are coordinating material availability weeks, if not months, before the job breaks ground.
Key drivers:
- Less inventory buffer at nurseries and suppliers
- Projects spanning multiple states or regional suppliers
- Higher freight costs and longer delivery lead times
Procurement professionals who succeed in this new landscape are treating material sourcing like project management: planning with buffers, coordinating across vendors, and looking for tools that offer consolidated visibility.
4. Sustainability Is Now Specification Standard
Green infrastructure isn't a trend, it's the new normal. Buyers are fielding more requests for materials that align with sustainable development goals and certifications like LEED, SITES, or local stormwater regulations.
On the rise:
- Compost-amended soils and recycled mulches
- Native plant mixes for bioswales and detention areas
- Non-toxic weed barriers and biodegradable geotextiles
Landscape professionals are not just sourcing for performance, they're sourcing to meet policy, compliance, and reporting benchmarks.
5. Freight and Fulfillment Strategy Is Part of the Job
Buyers are spending more time thinking about logistics, not just SKUs. Freight costs, lead times, and shipment coordination are now directly impacting project timelines and profitability.
What’s becoming standard:
- Grouping orders by region or project
- Vetting supplier reliability before placing large orders
- Confirming delivery windows weeks in advance
This isn’t just about finding the right plant, it’s about making sure it arrives on time and in spec.
Looking Ahead: Procurement as a Strategic Lever
The most effective landscape firms in 2025–2026 will be those that treat material procurement as a critical part of project delivery. That means knowing what to expect from the supply chain, staying ahead of seasonal trends, and using data and digital tools to drive smarter decisions.
At LandscapeHub, we track these trends daily across a national network of buyers and suppliers. If you’re planning a large-scale project or coordinating complex material needs, we can help you get visibility across regions and streamline fulfillment from takeoff to install.
