Top Garden Trends for 2024: A Resilient and Creative Approach
As we step into the gardening season of 2024, we find ourselves navigating the challenges posed by climate change, evolving design aesthetics, and a growing desire for sustainability. This year, gardening trends are centered around resilience and creativity, reflecting the need to adapt to a changing world. Let’s explore the top garden trends that are taking root in 2024.
1. Enhancing Your Garden With “Edimentals”
Incorporating Beauty and Flavor into Every Corner
Edimentals (noun, eh-di-men-tals)are plants that serve both ornamental and edible purposes. This trend allows gardeners to embrace a diverse range of perennials, shrubs, and trees that not only add color, texture, and form to the garden but also offer practical benefits.
Examples of edimentals include dahlias, daylilies, currants, gooseberries, and even rainbow chard and kale. The integration of these multifunctional plants transforms traditional vegetable gardens into visually stunning and productive spaces.
Why Edimentals?
Lower maintenance: These plants are often easier to care for than traditional annual vegetables.
Hardier plants: Perennials, shrubs, or trees have deeper roots, making them more resilient to drought and pests.
Kids love them: Edimentals scattered throughout the garden encourage children to explore and forage.
2. Exploring Naturalistic Planting & The New Perennial Movement
Embracing Wild Beauty Inspired by Nature
New Perennial Movement (noun)The New Perennial Movement, originating in the Netherlands, is gaining popularity as a mainstream design aesthetic. This approach involves creating gardens with drifts of native plants that mimic the natural reseeding of flora, fostering a soft, dreamy effect.
Why Naturalistic Planting?
Freedom from constant maintenance: Letting plants go to seed and embracing imperfections.
Doing good: Benefiting the soil, wildlife, and pollinators.
Artistic freedom: Experimenting with native and non-native plants for unique, symbiotic communities.
3. Preserving Every Drop With Eco-Friendly Rain Gardens
Sustainable Water Management for Beautiful Landscapes
Rain Gardens (noun)As drought becomes more prevalent, the popularity of rain gardens is on the rise. These gardens slow down rainwater flow, capturing and utilizing every precious drop on-site while minimizing pollutants from runoff.
Benefits of Rain Gardens:
Water conservation: Retaining and utilizing rainwater for plants.
Pollution prevention: Filtering pollutants from roof and driveway runoff.
Plant selection: Choosing natives, grasses, and sedges with deep roots for adaptability.
Rain gardens not only address water scarcity but also contribute to healthier ecosystems by promoting native plant growth.
4. Learning To Love Bugs (Even Those That Munch!)
A Shift Towards Sustainable Pest Management
In a more sustainable garden approach, the perception of bugs is evolving. While infestations remain undesirable, a growing understanding of insect biodiversity encourages gardeners to tolerate certain visitors.
Organic Pest Management:
Identify and tolerate: Shifting perspectives on non-destructive bugs.
Beneficial insects: Encouraging the presence of natural predators.
Sustainable solutions: Opting for organic pest control methods.
This shift reflects a holistic approach to gardening that acknowledges the interconnectedness of all living things and aims for a more balanced ecosystem.
5. Adapting & Growing With A Changing Climate
Sustainable Gardening Practices for a New Normal
Climate change necessitates a shift in gardening practices to ensure both aesthetic appeal and environmental responsibility. Gardeners are encouraged to stay informed, choose climate-appropriate plants, adjust watering practices, and be prepared for extreme weather conditions.
Climate-Resilient Gardening Tips:
Stay informed: Utilize local resources and online communities.
Choose the right plants: Opt for natives and climate-adapted varieties.
Adjust practices: Flexible watering schedules and planting dates.
By embracing change and making informed choices, gardeners can create resilient and sustainable outdoor spaces.
6. Beyond Dining: Creating Unique Outdoor Spaces
Transforming Gardens into Multi-Functional Living Areas
With more people working from home, gardens are evolving into versatile spaces that cater to various lifestyle needs. While outdoor cooking and dining remain popular, there is an increasing demand for unique features such as homework stations, reading nooks, mini vineyards, and meditation corners.
Inspiration for Unique Garden Spaces:
Zen garden design: Creating tranquil spaces for meditation.
Garden rooms: Extending living spaces outdoors.
Side yard ideas: Maximizing space for diverse purposes.
This trend reflects a desire for outdoor spaces that cater to the holistic well-being of individuals and families.
7. Embracing Gravel Gardens For Low-Maintenance Beauty
Sustainable Gardens for a Hotter and Drier Future
In response to rising temperatures and water scarcity, gravel gardens are gaining popularity. These gardens, championed by Beth Chatto, feature low-water, low-maintenance designs that prioritize sustainability.
Benefits of Gravel Gardens:
Weed prevention: Gravel acts as a barrier to germinating weed seeds.
Less fertilizer: Slow growth encourages compact, resilient plants.
Minimal maintenance: Up to 75% less maintenance compared to traditional gardens.
Gravel gardens offer a sustainable solution for gardeners looking to thrive in arid conditions while promoting water conservation.
The new year brings new spaces for your plants.
From incorporating edimentals to embracing sustainable practices and creating unique outdoor spaces, these trends inspire gardeners to adapt and thrive in a changing world. By nurturing our gardens with thoughtful consideration for the environment, we contribute to the beauty, biodiversity, and sustainability of our outdoor spaces. Happy gardening!
Got Plant Goals This Year? We Have Them!
Kel-Lake Greenhouses, nursery, and garden center, nestled in the scenic surroundings of Lake Country, BC, stands out as a premier destination for gardening enthusiasts. Our expertise lies in crafting stunning hanging and moss baskets, providing a vibrant array of bedding plants, and offering a diverse selection of vegetables and herbs. Beyond these specialties, Kel-Lake Greenhouses proudly boasts an extensive collection comprising an array of shrubs, trees, and landscaping supplies.
