Spring gardening season is upon us and it’s time to get growing! Here are the top garden trends that the pros forecast for this year.
Deb Wiley writes for Birds&Blooms The top new garden trends to try in 2022.
Welcome New Gardeners
“The 2021 National Gardening Survey compiled by the National Gardening Association shows that 18.3 million new gardeners started gardening in 2020, and two-thirds of all gardeners tried a new gardening activity. The greatest rate of increase came from younger gardeners, those with children, apartment, or condo dwellers, and people of color. Gardening for beginners is among the top garden trends.
“Foliage plants and pops of your favorite colors create a pleasant area to escape to within your yard.
Garden Trends: Landscapes as Escapes
“Gardens are our sanctuaries, extended living rooms and go-to party zones these days. ‘It looks as if people will still be planting more in 2022,” says Claire Josephson, marketing and brand manager at PanAmerican Seed, a breeding division of Ball Horticultural Co. ‘Everyone is still planning to spend time in their yard, still planning on spending time at home. Gardening as a stress reliever will be big.’
“Plants help build community, too. ‘People want online groups, but they are swapping plants and playing host as to give-away at the end of their driveways,’ Claire said. ‘We’re getting better at being good neighbors.’ That includes dressing up the front yard for better curb appeal.
“Gardens naturally intersect with health and wellness, too. ‘Plants make people feel good,’ said Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer for Monrovia, a California-based horticulture company. ‘Our outdoor spaces are becoming more important to us, and we’re investing more in those outdoor spaces.’
“Check out 14 backyard accessories for a dream outdoor oasis.
“Edibles such as Thai basil are ideal for growing in pots, a trend that is rising in popularity.
Garden Trends: Growing Food Phenomenon
“Growing edibles was already trendy, but Diane Blazek, executive director of the National Garden Bureau and All-America Selections, sees this category expanding even more. ‘Container-grown vegetables are what all the plant breeders are working on,’ she said. Tomatoes and peppers are the top crops, whether in the ground or in a pot, but they are being joined by less obvious contenders. ‘In the next year or two we will have an excellent container watermelon,’ Diane Blazek said.
“Interplanting veggies with flowers is gaining popularity. ‘Vegetables are accessories to a flower bed, especially if you’re someone with a smaller space,’ Claire Josephson said.
“Want to get in on this trend but don’t have a yard? Try a mushroom growing kit!
Garden Trends: Support for Pollinators
“Bees and other pollinators are necessary for food, medicine, and much, much more, and gardeners are responding to their needs. ‘An estimated 67.2 million households purchased at least one specific plant in 2020 because they knew the plant was beneficial to birds, bees or butterflies,’ said Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media Group.
‘“Much of that growth was spurred by families who wanted to draw kids’ interest to the garden. People with children in their households are more likely than others to say they purchased a plant because it was beneficial to pollinators,’ she added..
“Horticulture companies such as Monrovia are paying attention. Out of the 10 themed plant sets they tested, ‘our pollinator combination was the most desired,’ Katie Tamony said. ‘A lot of people want to interact more with their garden. They’re gardening for pollinators and birds, seeing them makes people feel good.’
“Katie Dubow noted that the National Wildlife Federation recently launched a new Garden for Wildlife collection, which offers native plant packages based on your state to attract insects that feed 96% of backyard bird species.
“Garden Trends: Create a Houseplant Heaven.
“Especially among younger gardeners, the interest in growing indoor plants continues to climb. As a bonus, studies show that growing houseplants improves mood, boosts recovery from illness and reduces fatigue.
‘“The trend is for something unusual,” Diane Blazek said. “The foliage plant market is booming. Consumers want interestingly shaped leaves, serrated edges, variegated colors, unique shades of green or miniature versions,” Wiley wrote.