--- title: 5 Ways Climate Change Impacts the Landscape and Growing description: The American Society of Landscape Architects says climate change is rapidly growing as a significant factor in landscape design. Learn how it affects it. image: https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/plant-hardiness-map.jpg --- [781.488.3200](tel:781.488.3200) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/Moodscapes/) - [**](https://www.instagram.com/moodscapes/) - [**](https://twitter.com/MoodscapesLLC) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/moodscapes-llc/) - [**](https://www.pinterest.com/moodscapes/) [![moodscapes](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hs-fs/hubfs/moodscapes-theme-2017/images/logo.png?width=252&height=88&name=logo.png "moodscapes")](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com) [ Schedule Consultation ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/landscape-consultation-free-15-minute-call) - Services - [Landscape Design & Build](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/landscape-design-services) - [Ecological Landscape Maintenance & Gardening](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/ecological-landscape-maintenance-gardening) - [Schedule Consultation](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/landscape-consultation-free-15-minute-call) - Towns We Serve - [Arlington](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/arlington-ma) - [Belmont](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/belmont-ma) - [Lexington](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/lexington-ma) - [Newton](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/newton-ma) - [Watertown](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/watertown-ma) - [Winchester](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/winchester-ma) - [Portfolio](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/landscape-design-portfolio) - [Backyard Entertainment Areas](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/backyard-entertainment-areas) - [Backyard Oasis](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/backyard-oasis-landscape-design) - [Contemplation Areas](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/contemplation-area-landscape-design) - [Fall Landscapes](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/fall-landscape-design-examples) - [Hardscapes](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hardscapes-landscape-design) - [Strolling Gardens](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/strolling-gardens-landscape-designs) - [Terraced Landscapes](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/terraced-landscapes) - [Texture and Color Gardens](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/texture-and-color-gardens) - [Water Features](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/water-feature-landscape-designs) - [Welcoming Front Yard](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/welcoming-front-yard-design-examples) - [Woodland Garden](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/woodland-gardens-landscape-design-examples) - [Testimonials](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/testimonials) - [Contact](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/contact) - Resources - [Blog](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog) - [8 Essential Elements of a Spectacular Outdoor Living Space](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/essential-elements-of-a-spectacular-outdoor-living-space-youll-want-to-spend-all-day-in) - [How to Maintain Your Landscape and Transform It Into a Beauty You’ll Love](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/how-to-maintain-your-landscape-and-transform-it-into-a-beauty-youll-love) - [10 Common Gardening Mistakes that Hurt the Environment](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/common-gardening-mistakes-that-hurt-environment) - [13 Insider Tips to Creating a Beautiful Contemplation Garden](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/insider-tips-for-beautiful-contemplation-garden) - [Questions to Think About Before a Landscape Consultation](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/questions-to-think-about) [Organic and Responsible Practices](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/topic/organic-and-responsible-practices) | 3 min read April 2020 | [Judith Lipson- Rubin](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/author/judith-lipson-rubin) # 5 Ways Climate Change Impacts the Landscape and Growing ![5 Ways Climate Change Impacts the Landscape and Growing](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/plant-hardiness-map.jpg) According to the American Society of Landscape Architects climate change is rapidly growing as a significant factor in landscape design. Raising temperatures, more frequent and severe droughts, and increasing damage from bigger storms are all taking their toll on both the natural and built environment. If you’re a property owner considering a new landscape project it’s important to be aware of the following five major factors that can have a significant effect on your landscaping plans: ### **Shifting plant growing zones** The USDA’s[ Plant Hardiness Map](https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/) provides a breakdown of where plants can survive based on an area’s maximum and minimum temperatures. Most of eastern Massachusetts is in zones 6 and 7. In 2019, the USDA warned that global warming is already affecting plant-growth environments and[ hardiness zones are “creeping north systematically.”](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/23/climate/plant-hardiness-zones-shifting.html) Homeowners will need to start checking to ensure that plants they’ve traditionally grown are still suitable for their gardens and beds. ![plant-hardiness-map](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/plant-hardiness-map.jpg?width=600&name=plant-hardiness-map.jpg) ### **Changing conditions that will affect new plant choices** Changes in temperature and water availability will have a substantial impact on plant choice as we experience colder winters and hotter summers. The changing environment will affect when and what we should plant throughout the season to maximize yields and maintain color. Plants that have done well in certain regions for decades or even centuries may no longer survive because of early frost or extended heat. ### **Altered bloom patterns** First leaf and bloom dates for many plants vary from year to year, making it difficult to measure major changes. However, the [EPA’s Climate Change Indicators](https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-length-growing-season) show that since the early 20th century the growing season in the lower 48 states has generally increased by about two weeks. In the eastern part of the country, it has increased about a day per decade. Across the country, almost every state has seen the growing season get longer, affecting when and for how long many plants will bloom. ### **Disrupted pollination cycles** Climate change’s impact on flowering plants has a ripple effect on the animals and insects that depend on them. A[ Yale University report](https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2018/09/what-will-happen-to-pollinators/) on climate change’s impact on pollinators found that fewer honeybees are being seen across the United States, from Colorado to New York. While a few less honeybees may not seem like such a big deal, in fact, honeybees and other critical pollinators play an enormous role in producing the food we all eat -- [pollinators are needed to pollinate](https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/while-we-worry-about-honeybees-other-pollinators-are-disappearing) approximately 75 percent of plants that make up the global food supply Scientists believe that “false springs” – unseasonably warm temperatures during winter months – are causing pollinators such as insects to appear early, only to be killed by late-season frost and cold. To make matters worse, changing pollinator and plant life cycles are adding to the problem. In some cases, plant and pollinator availability don’t align and pollination doesn’t occur because the blooms aren’t there when the pollinators are looking for them. ### **Changing irrigation needs** Irrigation systems are a convenient, effective, and cost-efficient way to deliver water to lawns, gardens, trees, and shrubs. But as we experience widening swings between floods and droughts, monitoring water requirements and managing the proper amount of irrigation is becoming increasingly challenging. If you have an older, manual irrigation system, or are thinking of installing one for the first time, make sure it includes moisture sensors and programmable, automated controls to ensure the right amount of water is distributed at the right times. ## **Landscaping today: What we can do right now to address climate change** Adapting built and managed landscapes to the challenges of climate change is an important component in building sustainable ecosystems. In most cases, planting native species is a crucial element in maintaining a healthy, thriving environment.  Local nurseries that specialize in native plants here in New England are a great place to start, and [online resources](https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CAES/DOCUMENTS/Publications/pollinators/Conference-2019/Native-Plant-Nursery-List---2019.pdf?la=en) can provide searchable regional plant lists and local suppliers.  ![Native-Tree-Cornus mas-Cornelian-Cherry-Spring-Bloom](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Native-Tree-Cornus%20mas-Cornellian-Cherry-Spring-Bloom.jpeg?width=700&name=Native-Tree-Cornus%20mas-Cornellian-Cherry-Spring-Bloom.jpeg)***A native tree called Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry) with a spring bloom*** The Audubon Society goes one step further and offers a handy online [native plants database](https://www.audubon.org/native-plants) that can tell you which native plants attract which birds so you can develop a more holistic, integrated ecosystem. Diversity encourages diversity, so add a variety of plant species to your landscape design, with different characteristics and flowering times, to help support pollinators and other animals as well. Before planting anything, be sure to carefully analyze your specific landscape environment to get a better understanding of soil composition, moisture sources, wind and sunlight exposure, and other factors that will influence plant choice and placement as well as hardscape design and construction. A little homework will go a long way in developing and implementing a landscape design that requires minimal human intervention and artificial life support.  Better yet, to ensure your [landscaping is created in a sustainable way that minimizes environmental impact](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/common-gardening-mistakes-that-hurt-environment) while maximizing the functionality and benefits it provides, work with a company that specializes in ecological gardening and landscaping methods.[ Get in touch with the team](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/contact) at Moodscapes to learn about how we can help. [![10 Common Gardening Mistakes that Hurt the Environment](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/25834/ed7c0ad8-b720-4aac-9515-54268b1a84da.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/25834/ed7c0ad8-b720-4aac-9515-54268b1a84da) ## Related Articles: Environmental Gardening [![The Hidden Benefits of Fungi](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/moodscapes-theme-2017/images/banner-1.jpg?t=1489838449424) **The Hidden Benefits of Fungi** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/the-hidden-benefits-of-fungi) [![From Catalog to Early Crop: It's Not Too Soon for Garden Daydreams](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/seed-saving.jpg) **From Catalog to Early Crop: It's Not Too Soon for Garden Daydreams** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/from-catalog-to-early-crop-its-not-too-soon-for-garden-daydreams) [![Helping Plants Survive Times of Drought and Extreme Heat](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/helping-plants-survive-drought-1.jpg) **Helping Plants Survive Times of Drought and Extreme Heat** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/helping-plants-survive-times-of-drought-and-extreme-heat) [![Hacking Nutrient Cycles for Vibrant Plants](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/vibrant-plants.jpg) **Hacking Nutrient Cycles for Vibrant Plants** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/hacking-nutrient-cycles-for-vibrant-plants) [![Organic Gardening to Offset Rising Food Costs](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/organic-vegetables.jpg) **Organic Gardening to Offset Rising Food Costs** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/organic-gardening-to-offset-rising-food-costs) [![The Best Garden Landscaping Tips Every Homeowner Wants to Know](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/moodscapes-theme-2017/images/Portfolios/Texture%20and%20Color%20Gardens/different-textured-front-yard.jpg) **The Best Garden Landscaping Tips Every Homeowner Wants to Know** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/the-best-garden-landscaping-tips-every-homeowner-wants-to-know) [![How to Attract Bats for Sustainable Pest Control](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/brown-bat.jpg) **How to Attract Bats for Sustainable Pest Control** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/how-to-attract-bats-for-sustainable-pest-control) [![10 Easy Ways to Rewild Your Backyard](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/landscape-mulch.jpeg) **10 Easy Ways to Rewild Your Backyard** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/rewild-your-backyard) [![Protecting Our Pollinators: Popular Pollinator Garden Ideas](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/Gallery/Album/Stock_photos/bee-3275663_1280.jpg) **Protecting Our Pollinators: Popular Pollinator Garden Ideas** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/protecting-our-pollinators-popular-pollinator-garden-ideas) [![Why sustainable landscaping will protect the environment](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/landscape-mulch.jpeg) **Why sustainable landscaping will protect the environment** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/why-sustainable-landscaping-will-protect-the-environment) [![Smart Tips for Creating a Winter Feeding Habitat](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/robin-on-heated-birdbath.png) **Smart Tips for Creating a Winter Feeding Habitat** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/smart-tips-for-creating-a-winter-feeding-habitat) [![Working with the Land: Sustainable Landscaping and the Natural World](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/soil-is-everything-when-sustainable-landscaping.png) **Working with the Land: Sustainable Landscaping and the Natural World** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/working-with-the-land-sustainable-landscaping-and-the-natural-world) [![How to Pick the Best Foundation Plants for Great Curb Appeal](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/moodscapes-theme-2017/images/Portfolios/Featured%20Projects/4-featured-landscape-design.jpeg) **How to Pick the Best Foundation Plants for Great Curb Appeal** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/foundation-plants-for-great-curb-appeal-1) [![4 Important Characteristics of an Organic Landscape Company](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/organic-landscape.png) **4 Important Characteristics of an Organic Landscape Company** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/4-important-characteristics-of-an-organic-landscape-company) [![How to Plan Your Vegetable Garden in Massachusetts](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/Gallery/Album/Plant_Stock_Photos/tomatoes-moodscapespost.jpg) **How to Plan Your Vegetable Garden in Massachusetts** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/how-to-plan-your-vegetable-garden-in-massachusetts) [![4 Most Valuable Tips for Installing Drip Irrigation System](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/Gallery/Album/Stock_photos/watering-garden.jpg) **4 Most Valuable Tips for Installing Drip Irrigation System** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/4-most-valuable-tips-for-installing-drip-irrigation-system) [![Organic Gardening 101: Things Every Homeowner Should Know Before Day 1](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/moodscapes-theme-2017/images/Portfolios/Contemplation%20Areas/sitting-area-with-water-feature.jpg) **Organic Gardening 101: Things Every Homeowner Should Know Before Day 1** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/organic-gardening-101-things-every-homeowner-should-know-before-day-1) [![First 5 Steps to Create an Organic Landscape](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hs-fs/hub/25834/file-13546547.jpg) **First 5 Steps to Create an Organic Landscape** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/first-5-steps-to-create-an-organic-landscape) [![How Safe is Your Lawn? Comparing Chemical & Non-Chemical Organic Lawn Products](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hs-fs/hub/25834/file-52236879.jpg) **How Safe is Your Lawn? Comparing Chemical & Non-Chemical Organic Lawn Products** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/how-safe-is-your-lawn-comparing-chemical-non-chemical-organic-lawn-products) [![Your Lawn Deserves the Best: 5 Great Reasons to Use Organic Fertilizer](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/moodscapes-theme-2017/images/Portfolios/Woodland%20Gardens/backyard-woodland-garden-with-plantings.jpg) **Your Lawn Deserves the Best: 5 Great Reasons to Use Organic Fertilizer** ](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/your-lawn-deserves-the-best-5-great-reasons-to-use-organic-fertilizer) ####  Services - [Landscape Design & Build](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/landscape-design-services) - [Ecological Landscape Maintenance](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/ecological-landscape-maintenance-gardening) ####  Contact Us 216 Hillside Ave, Arlington, MA 02476 [781.488.3200](tel:781.488.3200) [info@moodscapesdesign.com](mailto:info@moodscapesdesign.com) ####  Towns We Serve - [Arlington](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/arlington-ma) - [Belmont](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/belmont-ma) - [Lexington](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/lexington-ma) - [Newton](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/newton-ma) - [Watertown](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/watertown-ma) - [Winchester](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/winchester-ma) - [Pricing](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/pricing) #### Schedule Consultation © 2026 Moodscapes LLC. All Rights Reserved         [Privacy Policy](https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/moodscape-llc-privacy-policy) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/Moodscapes/) - [**](https://www.instagram.com/moodscapes/) - [**](https://twitter.com/MoodscapesLLC) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/moodscapes-llc/) - [**](https://www.pinterest.com/moodscapes/) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Judith Lipson- Rubin", "url" : "https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/author/judith-lipson-rubin" }, "dateModified" : "2020-04-02 07:15:00+08:00", "datePublished" : "2020-04-02 07:15:00+08:00", "description" : "The American Society of Landscape Architects says climate change is rapidly growing as a significant factor in landscape design. Learn how it affects it.", "headline" : "5 Ways Climate Change Impacts the Landscape and Growing", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 800, "url" : "https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/hubfs/blog/plant-hardiness-map.jpg", "width" : 800 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.moodscapesdesign.com/blog/5-ways-climate-change-impacts-the-landscape-and-growing", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/25834/moodscapes-theme-2017/images/logo.png" }, "name" : "Moodscapes LLC" } } ```