This question was recently asked: Dear Master Gardener: What are the popular gardening trends for 2024?
Answer: After reviewing various U.S. and British gardening sources on the 2024 trends and reflecting on the most frequently requested gardening presentations from garden clubs, the big gardening trends for 2023 seem to be the following: Growing houseplants continues to be very popular. Houseplant enthusiasts are becoming more adventuresome and growing unusual and/or exotic plants.
Creating inviting outdoor living spaces continues to also be quite popular; for example, adding a fire pit, water feature, outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, dining or conversation areas.
Cottage gardens, which have been popular with British gardeners for many years, are now in vogue with American gardeners. The key characteristics of a cottage garden include an informal design, an abundance of plants and lots of color. Old-fashioned favorites such as roses, larkspur, peonies, hollyhocks and perennial salvias are often found in cottage garden designs. In order to avoid the hodge-podge look that a cottage garden can create, try to stay with a color scheme of three colors such as purple, pink and white.
Gardeners are becoming more conscientious about adding native plants for pollinators. Sustainable gardens and less lawn are in style.
Kitchen gardens came back into popularity with COVID-19 stay at home restrictions, and that trend of growing your own food continues to be popular for 2024.
Vertical gardening, cutting gardens and sanctuary gardens are also very trendy at this time.
Drought-Tolerant Plantings Concerns with extreme weather are causing gardeners across the country to seek out water-wise plantings (or plants that can stand up to drought).
This trend has been prevalent in California and the Southwest, but it is now spreading to the Mountain West and even parts of the Midwest.
Need drought-tolerant plantings? Opt for waterwise plants such as Safari Rose Aloe, Vibe Ignition Fuchsia Salvia, and Black Hens and Chicks.
Upscale Luxury Most gardeners say gardening is good for their mental health and well-being, so people want a private place that’s theirs so they can unwind—but without plants that need tons of maintenance. This also means bringing lush colors and welcoming textures to the garden space, much as you would to any indoor space.
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