I hope you are enjoying the holiday season with family and friends. As 2021 wraps up, it’s time to look at gardening trends for the new year.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which produces the Philadelphia Flower Show, recently announced its top gardening trends picks for 2022. The list includes ways to breathe new life into your garden while also using gardening to help promote health and well-being all year.
Number one is utilizing native and pollinator-friendly plants. You can support the ecosystem right in your own backyard by making it a welcoming place for bees and pollen-loving insects. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society recommends plants like Echinacea, Liatris, and mountain mint to attract beneficial insects which depend on natives for pollen and habitat.
Consider turning your lawn space into garden space. The monoculture and upkeep of lawns are not the best things for the environment. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society notes that transforming just a small piece of lawn into garden space can significantly lower fossil fuel emissions from lawn maintenance.
Try gravel gardening, water-wise gardening, or xeriscaping. Hardy plants that don’t require lots of water make sense for those who don’t have the time or resources to water, especially during extended periods of low rainfall. Gravel gardening eliminates the use of soil, meaning you can water less and use less fertilizer. Xeriscaping reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation by utilizing plants like succulents, cacti, and ornamental grasses, which don’t need a lot of water to thrive.
Grow your own fruit. Just a few fruit trees can produce excellent yields, which can be used for fresh eating as well as for baking and preserves. Apples, pears, and other tree fruits come in dwarf varieties, meaning even those with limited space can enjoy home-grown fruit.
Cut flowers are trending across the country with the revival of old-fashioned flowers like zinnias, dahlias, daisies, and cosmos. These flowers are easy to grow and offer the satisfaction of growing your own bouquets to decorate your home or to give as gifts.
Here are some ideas Better Homes and Gardens culled from the Chelsea Flower Show in the United Kingdom. Their list of trends includes vegetable and herb gardening, especially using organic methods to provide your own produce.
Topiary gardens are also trending, but not the typical perfectly manicured box hedges we are accustomed to seeing. What’s new is more organic shapes and trends like cloud pruning, which actually prunes trees and shrubs into natural, cloud-like shapes.
Ponds are becoming popular because of their ability to create a tranquil and calm space, something everyone is craving after the last two years. Remember, any water feature can produce a serene atmosphere in the garden – consider a simple fountain or small container water garden if digging and maintaining a pond seems overwhelming.
Outdoor entertaining spaces are on-trend as backyards have become a popular place to gather with family and friends. Think of the outdoors as a functional room where you can connect and relax. Start with a simple deck or fire pit or some new outdoor furniture.
Finally, BH&G says kid-friendly gardens are trending. This gets the whole family involved in a healthy activity together and helps to limit screen time. Include the kids in a weekend garden project, let your teens design a special place where they can gather and relax, or create a fairy garden for the littlest family members.
All the best in the New Year; I hope it’s your best gardening year yet!
