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What Will We Want in Our Gardens in 2023?
Read on to find out how we’ll be designing our outdoor spaces this spring and summer
Drier summers, wetter winters, a renewed interest in cutting gardens and a desire to spend more time outdoors – these are just a few of the things that could influence our outdoor choices in 2023. Here, three garden designers on Houzz share their garden trend predictions for the year ahead.
Professional advice from: Jane Ashley of Jane Ashley Garden Design; Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes
Professional advice from: Jane Ashley of Jane Ashley Garden Design; Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes
We’ll be spending even more time outdoors
Peter Reader says the desire for inside-outside living that was boosted by various lockdowns will continue. “By spending more time in their gardens, people rediscovered their beauty and benefits as places to be, and also valued them more,” he says. “This generated the desire to have carefully designed outside spaces that could function as an additional room to the house.”
He points to an array of garden features that have become popular due to this trend, including quick-drying, comfortable outdoor furniture, fire pits, and tilt and slide waterproof pergola roofs.
Jane Ashley agrees and says, “Many people want desirable features, such as lighting, sunshades and waterproof canopies, all of which greatly extend the hours of use and enjoyment of a garden.
“I’m also sure the boom in demand for garden offices will be maintained, given it has now become the norm for many office workers to spend part of the week working from home,” she says. “There’s something special about taking a gentle stroll down the garden to get to your desk in the morning.”
Peter Reader says the desire for inside-outside living that was boosted by various lockdowns will continue. “By spending more time in their gardens, people rediscovered their beauty and benefits as places to be, and also valued them more,” he says. “This generated the desire to have carefully designed outside spaces that could function as an additional room to the house.”
He points to an array of garden features that have become popular due to this trend, including quick-drying, comfortable outdoor furniture, fire pits, and tilt and slide waterproof pergola roofs.
Jane Ashley agrees and says, “Many people want desirable features, such as lighting, sunshades and waterproof canopies, all of which greatly extend the hours of use and enjoyment of a garden.
“I’m also sure the boom in demand for garden offices will be maintained, given it has now become the norm for many office workers to spend part of the week working from home,” she says. “There’s something special about taking a gentle stroll down the garden to get to your desk in the morning.”
A drier climate will affect our choices…
“I’m finding that people are worrying much more about how their gardens can defy drought conditions after the experience of last year’s drought and hosepipe bans,” Jane says. “So I’m sure we’ll see more use of drought-tolerant planting, and also the right kinds of irrigation systems.
“In terms of suitable planting, reliable stalwarts such as the elegant Gaura lindheimeri (pictured) and stylish Agapanthus are particularly happy in dry conditions,” she continues. “Many plants with grey or silvery leaves, such as lavender, Nepeta, Eryngium and Echinops, also flourish in dry borders. And often plants with fleshy leaves, including Sedum and Bergenia, show greater resistance to drought.
“For those installing a new garden,” Jane adds, “dripper irrigation is likely to become increasingly popular to help plants establish in the first year, partly because an appropriate dripper system is often allowed to continue functioning during a hosepipe ban.”
“I’m finding that people are worrying much more about how their gardens can defy drought conditions after the experience of last year’s drought and hosepipe bans,” Jane says. “So I’m sure we’ll see more use of drought-tolerant planting, and also the right kinds of irrigation systems.
“In terms of suitable planting, reliable stalwarts such as the elegant Gaura lindheimeri (pictured) and stylish Agapanthus are particularly happy in dry conditions,” she continues. “Many plants with grey or silvery leaves, such as lavender, Nepeta, Eryngium and Echinops, also flourish in dry borders. And often plants with fleshy leaves, including Sedum and Bergenia, show greater resistance to drought.
“For those installing a new garden,” Jane adds, “dripper irrigation is likely to become increasingly popular to help plants establish in the first year, partly because an appropriate dripper system is often allowed to continue functioning during a hosepipe ban.”
…as will wetter conditions
“With heavier downpours over shorter time periods [becoming more common], some clients are looking to design solutions to manage these challenges,” Peter says. “Good examples include the rise of ‘water gardens’, which contain features such as green roofs, which slow the flow of water to the garden, and ‘swales’, which can hold the water in temporary pools, allowing it to gently disperse rather than rapidly flow away creating damage.
“The planting in these swales tends to be more naturalistic in its appearance and has to be carefully considered so it can cope with both the extremes of wet and dry,” he explains.
“With heavier downpours over shorter time periods [becoming more common], some clients are looking to design solutions to manage these challenges,” Peter says. “Good examples include the rise of ‘water gardens’, which contain features such as green roofs, which slow the flow of water to the garden, and ‘swales’, which can hold the water in temporary pools, allowing it to gently disperse rather than rapidly flow away creating damage.
“The planting in these swales tends to be more naturalistic in its appearance and has to be carefully considered so it can cope with both the extremes of wet and dry,” he explains.
We’re searching for cheaper ways of gardening
“More people are looking for good value and for ways to bring colour into their garden on a much tighter budget than in recent years,” Jane says.
“Adding colour through growing from seed can be a very economical way of adding long-flowering, colourful plants, if you’re willing to spend a little time getting them going at the start,” she says. “It’s also satisfying to see seeds turn into beautiful flowers, and a great way to get children involved in the wonders of gardening.
“The plants you can grow cost a fraction of those bought in garden centres, and there’s something delightful for all styles and tastes,” she says, recommending “the delicate white lacy flowers of Orlaya grandiflora and Ammi majus; towering and cheerful sunflowers (Helianthus annuus); sweet-scented sweetpeas (Lathyrus odoratus, pictured) and tobacco plants (Nicotiana); the easy fillers of Cosmos and cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus), and woodland biennials foxglove (Digitalis) and honesty (Lunaria annua)”.
“More people are looking for good value and for ways to bring colour into their garden on a much tighter budget than in recent years,” Jane says.
“Adding colour through growing from seed can be a very economical way of adding long-flowering, colourful plants, if you’re willing to spend a little time getting them going at the start,” she says. “It’s also satisfying to see seeds turn into beautiful flowers, and a great way to get children involved in the wonders of gardening.
“The plants you can grow cost a fraction of those bought in garden centres, and there’s something delightful for all styles and tastes,” she says, recommending “the delicate white lacy flowers of Orlaya grandiflora and Ammi majus; towering and cheerful sunflowers (Helianthus annuus); sweet-scented sweetpeas (Lathyrus odoratus, pictured) and tobacco plants (Nicotiana); the easy fillers of Cosmos and cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus), and woodland biennials foxglove (Digitalis) and honesty (Lunaria annua)”.
We want more plants, less plastic
Jane forecasts a rise in the popularity of gardens full of plants and natural lawns. “Within the landscaping/garden design industry, opposition to fake grass is mounting, partly due to increasing concerns about sustainability and the environmental impact of the materials we use,” she says. “Hopefully, this will feed through to less plastic and more planting – whether that’s traditional lawns, wildflower meadows or mixed planting areas.”
Peter Reader agrees that a garden full of soil and plants is best. “Soil is a wonderful substance, feeding and nurturing myriad small creatures, but it also acts as a carbon sink for trapping carbon dioxide,” he says, adding that he sees clients more nervous now of using artificial grass.
More: 5 Simple Ideas for Creating a Sustainable Garden
Jane forecasts a rise in the popularity of gardens full of plants and natural lawns. “Within the landscaping/garden design industry, opposition to fake grass is mounting, partly due to increasing concerns about sustainability and the environmental impact of the materials we use,” she says. “Hopefully, this will feed through to less plastic and more planting – whether that’s traditional lawns, wildflower meadows or mixed planting areas.”
Peter Reader agrees that a garden full of soil and plants is best. “Soil is a wonderful substance, feeding and nurturing myriad small creatures, but it also acts as a carbon sink for trapping carbon dioxide,” he says, adding that he sees clients more nervous now of using artificial grass.
More: 5 Simple Ideas for Creating a Sustainable Garden
Cut flower gardens are on the rise
“Flower farming has certainly been on the rise and looks set to continue,” Claudia says. “With a return to, and a love of, traditional crafts such as flower pressing, which has become increasingly popular, what better way [to acquire flowers] than to grow your own at home.
“The interest in creating a cut flower bed for picking or drying, or even for use as natural dyes, is requested more times than not when discussing a garden design with clients,” she says.
“Flower farming has certainly been on the rise and looks set to continue,” Claudia says. “With a return to, and a love of, traditional crafts such as flower pressing, which has become increasingly popular, what better way [to acquire flowers] than to grow your own at home.
“The interest in creating a cut flower bed for picking or drying, or even for use as natural dyes, is requested more times than not when discussing a garden design with clients,” she says.
We’ll be growing and eating our home-grown crops
“As clients have linked with their outside spaces, they’ve discovered gardening and a desire to grow their own food,” Peter says. “The joys of seeing your plants grow and then deliver something you can pick and eat is very addictive.”
He believes this food-growing trend has prompted a rise in outdoor cooking. “Increasingly, sophisticated, kitchen-style developments are now very popular with clients aspiring to cook proper meals, rather than just burgers and bangers, and to deliver their whole evening’s entertaining in the garden, rather than the house,” he says.
“As clients have linked with their outside spaces, they’ve discovered gardening and a desire to grow their own food,” Peter says. “The joys of seeing your plants grow and then deliver something you can pick and eat is very addictive.”
He believes this food-growing trend has prompted a rise in outdoor cooking. “Increasingly, sophisticated, kitchen-style developments are now very popular with clients aspiring to cook proper meals, rather than just burgers and bangers, and to deliver their whole evening’s entertaining in the garden, rather than the house,” he says.
We’re looking for alternative ways to support soil
“With the debate over the use of peat and the impending ban on bagged peat-based compost in 2024, gardeners will be turning to alternative green manures to regenerate the soil,” Claudia says. “Comfrey and winter bean crops will be grown and used more as soil conditioners, along with seaweed as a feed and soil improver.”
Claudia has also noticed an increased interest in the ‘no dig’ method of gardening. “This benefits the soil by reducing weed growth, erosion and [the need for] watering, and helps the soil retain carbon,” she says. “Not to mention, it’s good for your back!”
Tell us…
Will you be embracing any of these garden trends this year? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“With the debate over the use of peat and the impending ban on bagged peat-based compost in 2024, gardeners will be turning to alternative green manures to regenerate the soil,” Claudia says. “Comfrey and winter bean crops will be grown and used more as soil conditioners, along with seaweed as a feed and soil improver.”
Claudia has also noticed an increased interest in the ‘no dig’ method of gardening. “This benefits the soil by reducing weed growth, erosion and [the need for] watering, and helps the soil retain carbon,” she says. “Not to mention, it’s good for your back!”
Tell us…
Will you be embracing any of these garden trends this year? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“Clients are increasingly looking to more naturalistic plantings and plants that will support wildlife through food sources and hibernation options,” Peter Reader says.
“More and more people want to encourage visitors that were once considered pests,” Claudia de Yong says. These include wasps, which she explains are an important predator, eating flies, aphids and slugs, and helping with the recycling of decaying organic material.
“‘Rewilding’ areas of the garden – mowing lawns less and planting more diverse species – will almost certainly be in vogue,” she adds.
Keen to make the most of your outside space? Contact garden designers in your area through Houzz.