Living walls – gardening with little space:
Going vertical is nothing new, but the trend to save space continues going strong. There are many ways to plant a vertical garden: from a full scale wall installation to a small succulent planter
Natural materials –
Designers are seeing the trends moving away from minimalist, geometric styles back to the more natural materials and DIY type styles in the garden. Materials are going more wood and stone and include swing seating, smaller outdoor furniture and natural elements such as rocks rather than stark concrete styles
Color blocking-
What started as a fashion trend, the use of discrete blocks of colors, is making its way to the landscape and outdoor living spaces. There has been an uptick in color blocked patio walls on Pinterest as well as in larger metro areas, its ‘about framing or highlighting’ a specific plant or area’ says Annette Gutierrez of Potted. It is a cost effective way to make a statement. If a wall isn’t available, a brightly colored rug can be used to great effect
Hyper localism –
Locally sourced continues to be a buzzword in many industries along with garden design. Many designers are using existing rocks and re-planting existing shrubs but are also making posts on-site from trees on the property. Using native plants and materials has been popular for years, what is new is the impact that climate change and how that drives design. This local focus, says designer Susan Cohan, is a celebration of regionalism. ‘’Add local rules for impervious coverage, chemical runoff, and storm-water retention, and you have the basis for intense regional, even local, design qualities.” The designer’s challenge, she says, has always been to find the balance between natural elements and human wants and use. “The answer to that challenge today is regionally focused design.”
Natural Dye Gardens –
Backyard homesteading has been going strong for some time and edible gardens, chicken cooks and beehives are ever-present even in urban areas. The latest addition to the grow-it-yourself movement is natural dye gardens. These plants are used to make dyes for coloring textiles, yarn and clothing. Plants favored by designers include coreopsis, cosmos, Japanese indigo, marigold, blue cornflower and purple basil for making dyes. Many of these plants are kitchen and cutting favorites so it is easy to integrate a natural dye garden into an edible garden
Haute Houseplants –
Just as every fashion style comes back around, a 1970’s style fascination with houseplants is back! Tons of popular Instagram accounts are showing this trend, such as the very popular Jungalow, showcasing rooms lush with potted greenery.
Bringing nature inside is a big trend. Whether it is fiddle leaf fig (the it plant of the moment), a hanging kokedama, a Xerographica airplant or a terrarium, we are finding new ways to ‘green up’ our living spaces. This trend is very strong with the younger crowd when decorating their first home. They are shopping for these plants as they would furniture and home accessories
