Landscape Materials You Should Avoid

In recent years, the landscape architecture and design industry has shifted toward environmental responsibility and resource conservation. As landscapes play a crucial role in ecological health, water management, and urban comfort, design professionals increasingly prioritize sustainable products and practices to support these goals. 

To this end, leading industry associations like the Landscape Institute (LI), Society of Garden Designers (SGD), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) advocate against certain materials and encourage alternatives that promote ecological health.

One concept gaining traction among designers and specification professionals is Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These declarations provide transparency on the environmental impact of materials within products or the materials used in their manufacturing. Resources like ASLA’s “Navigating Environmental Product Data” guide serve as a valuable tool for those striving to understand and use environmentally conscious materials.

Even before this industry-wide pivot, horticultural experts championed native plant use and advocated against invasive species, contributing to municipal and regional do-not-plant lists. As the environmental stakes grow, this dedication to sustainability influences an ever-widening range of landscape materials and practices.

As landscape materials are reassessed for their ecological impacts, several once-popular choices are now considered situationally problematic. Here are a few examples:

Some plants, initially valued for their exotic appeal, have become problematic invasives. Species such as Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii), Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), and English Ivy (Hedera helix) often dominate landscapes, outcompeting native vegetation and providing limited wildlife support. While these invasives may still be available commercially, awareness is growing around their ecological costs.

However, it’s essential to remember that not all non-native plants are invasive, and not all native plants are automatically beneficial. Referencing reputable plant databases such as the USDA Plants Database, the RHS Plant Finder, or local municipal guidelines can help identify suitable, non-invasive alternatives.

Artificial Turf: Initially celebrated for its low-maintenance appeal, artificial turf is now criticized for lacking ecological value and contributing to the urban heat island effect. Alternatives like ground covers, traffic-tolerant plants, or water-conserving grass species offer more sustainable options. Some manufacturers also offer plant-based artificial turfs, although their ecological impact remains limited.

Plastic Plant Pots: Plastic pots, a staple for nurseries and retail, are rarely recycled due to contamination from soil and chemicals. In response, some nurseries and growers now offer compostable plant pots, providing consumers with more eco-friendly options. Proven Winners is one brand exploring these solutions.

To learn more about reducing the use of petroleum-based plant containers, check out APLD’s “Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet.”

Plastic Landscape Products: From plastic lumber to weed barriers, plastic has infiltrated many aspects of landscape construction. Plastic often breaks down into harmful microplastics, posing risks to aquatic life.

Sheet mulching, for example, can help limit plastic waste. In this process, weed barrier fabrics are replaced with sheets of cardboard, a layer of compost, and another of wood mulch — all of which provide natural fungal support without plastic-based waste.

Concrete: Concrete’s widespread use in landscapes can be environmentally detrimental. Its production generates substantial carbon emissions, contributing around 7% of global CO² emissions. Sustainable alternatives include specifying concrete with supplementary materials, like fly ash, which repurposes byproducts from coal power plants. Designers can also explore ways to repurpose existing concrete instead of sourcing new materials.

Vectorworks Landmark offers several tools that support sustainable material selection and reporting. For example, the software’s plant database allows you to specify native plants based on regional suitability and provides insights into plant tolerance and climate zone compatibility. 

Additionally, Vectorworks’ Materials feature enables you to incorporate data on embodied carbon, albedo, and permeability, assisting in projects focused on reducing heat island effects, improving stormwater management, and lowering carbon footprints. 

Moreover, you can use Vectorworks’ reporting tools to track material characteristics such as recycled content and locality of sourcing, allowing you to specify products with lower transportation-related emissions.

The resources provided by forward-thinking industry associations equip you to evaluate your use of environmentally harmful materials in your landscape projects and commit to making change — embracing these changes not only benefits the environment but also aligns with the evolving values of clients and communities seeking sustainable spaces.