The Month of May is turning out to be quite spectacular and you know what that means - you're busily attending to your home - seeing what needs to be fix, replaced, renewed and spruced up. And with Mother's Day coming up, our attention to flowers brings yet another opportunity to look closer at some of your landscaping needs.

From container gardening to hardscaping, we've identified the top Hardscaping Trends in North America to fit your style, so you too can be enjoy this year's outdoor season among family and friends in a way you've never imagined before.

Pavers

Environmentally conscious consumers will be drawn to the permeable pavers options. These pavers are designed to help direct rainfall from sewer systems and back into the natural ecosystem. Their look is very similar to traditional pavers - so at first glance, it may not look at different. But a closer look and you'll notice how the installation allows for extra space between them so rainwater can flow back into the earth below. Special materials are used in the permeable base and joints to encourage water to flow through. Some manufacturers like Unilock and Techo-Bloc have beautiful permeable paving systems with gorgeous colours to suit even the most discerning eye.

Our Top Choices:

Eco-Priora from Unilock

Blu 60 from Techo-Bloc

Retaining Walls

Sleek and contemporary looks still dominate the retaining walls category. Residential customers no longer view the smooth surfaced wall strictly for commercial purposes only. This is due to the ease with which courses, also known as layers, can be easily warmed up with varied shades and textures. The multi-faceted details are highly customizable, stylish and practical.

Our Top Faves:

Techo Bloc Graphix Wall

Unilock U-Cara Wall

Garden Accents

Sustainability is at the forefront of our recycling efforts, attempts to reduce our carbon footprint and yes, also in our landscaping projects. While attending this year's National Home Show at the The Enercare Centre in the Exhibition Place in Toronto, we came across these original works of sustainable art - purposefully designed with bold colours to blend-in or provide contrast to your existing gardens. They are definitely a departure from the sleek and modern, contemporary design of pavers and retaining walls. And that is precisely why they are ingenious additions to any landscaping project. The element of surprise is the best kept secret in a well-thought out design.

Tips for homeowners:

Give yourself enough time to go through the design and planning process. Rushed planning can lead to additional costs once shovels are in the ground. To avoid unnecessary delays, look for a landscaping company that can provide you with 2D and 3D services so you can get up close and personal with your renovations before things get really messy.