If you’re looking for inspiration for the gardening year ahead, look no further. This year, gardeners are set to embrace sustainability in all areas, as well as gardening hacks that make functionality a priority. We’ve gathered the top four trends making a splash this year to inspire you and your green thumbs.
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Embracing Eco-Friendly Gardening
With cottagecore a burgeoning trend, gardeners want their gardens to not only look inviting to humans but also to a variety of species. Sustainable practices to create environmentally friendly spaces that will increase biodiversity include being water wise to prevent flash flooding, drought-tolerant plants and pollinator-friendly plants. This eco-friendly approach to gardening can not only help make a garden feel more natural, but add character, as well as reducing the need for irrigation and other harmful chemicals.
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Incorporating Edible Landscapes
The RHS have predicted that edible shrubs, perennial veg, herbs and fruit trees are going to be a powerful trend this year. Edible landscapes are useful not only in the kitchen, but as habitats and food for wildlife, too – so that’s two birds, one stone. Plus, they often look pretty and mean you can boast to friends about being self-sufficient. Honeyberries might be a place to start if you’re looking to get in on this trend.
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Designing for Small Spaces and Vertical Gardening
It’s no secret that urban living is on the rise. Especially if you live in a city, sometimes you have no choice but to maximise your outdoor space and that has created some unique trends. Trellises and even vertical garden beds allow for a variety of plants to grow in a fairly limited ground area, and it can add visual interest to compact spaces. Simply put: a small garden can still pack a punch. You might need a few more tools – such as electric circular saws and paint preservatives – but reusing material to make raised beds or vertical planters can be a great project for the weekend.
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Creating Naturalistic and Minimalist Gardens
With an interest in more edible and eco-friendly plants, the less manicured garden is a style that’s had an increase in popularity. Inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, simple layouts, cool colour palettes, natural materials and low-maintenance gardens are now all the rage. It doesn’t necessarily mean letting everything get out of hand, it’s more about appreciating the seasons – both your own and the plants – for what they can do at the time.
