Spring has here, so what gardening trends can plant lovers anticipate in 2023? ZDR Baton Rouge Landscape Pros collected information from national specialists and our in-house team of experts on the top gardening trends they perceive sweeping the country. We met with two independent garden shops, Hicks Nurseries on Long Island, New York, and Louisiana Nursery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to gain perspectives from different locations. Despite their places in the northeast and the deep south, both agreed on the garden trends we’ll see this year.
TREND 1: MORE TIME SPENT IN OUTDOOR AREAS
An unusual tendency emerged as individuals yearned to get outdoors during the pandemic lockdown. Nurseries were designated as vital enterprises and were allowed to continue operating. People in the United States started spending more money on plants to enhance their outdoor spaces as they began spending more time in their yards. This pattern is expected to continue in 2023.
“People are getting out of the house and using their backyard, porch, or balcony as an extension of their home,” said Karen Musgrave, Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional, Marketing and E-commerce Associate at Hicks Nurseries. “They’re building outdoor kitchens with seating areas and dining tables, basically living outside as much as possible during the warmer months.” Some replicate the style inside their house and extend it outdoors, while others utilize the outside area to go a bit wild and express their individuality.” This concept, known as biophilic design, is founded on the premise that people have an innate urge to interact with nature. They try to incorporate natural aspects into contemporary spaces or to bring some of the conveniences of the home into outdoor living areas. Check out these ideas for bringing biophilic design into your home.
TREND NUMBER TWO: GROWING YOUR VEGETABLES, HERBS, AND FRUITS
“One of the things we have seen in the nursery world since 2020 is an explosion of all things edible, which will continue in 2023,” said Ben Pecnik, Vice President of Louisiana Nursery. “People have become more conscious and sensitive to what they put in their bodies, particularly the younger generation, so growing their own fresh and organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits is becoming increasingly important.” We’ve even seen an increase in planting and producing microgreens.” Window boxes and raised beds are excellent methods to cultivate veggies, fruits, and herbs in a container-limited area. Several designs and styles are also available, depending on whether you construct your raised bed directly on the ground or buy an elevated container.
Musgrave concurred. “People are realizing that growing your food is a fun activity as well as a way to ensure that it is organic and that you know where it came from.” It’s not difficult, and we’re increasingly seeing individuals branch out beyond standard tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers, producing Brussels sprouts and edible flowers like nasturtiums, and relying on local garden organizations and independent gardening centers for help and advice.”
TREND 3: MICRO-GARDENING & VERTICAL GARDENS GETTING SMALL
In 2023, the tendency will shift from extensive landscaping and large beds to more micro-gardening or container gardening. Micro gardening is the practice of growing vegetables, fruits, and flowers in tiny spaces, typically in places where plants would not usually be found, such as window sills and balconies. “Yards are getting smaller, and more people are focused on patio living,” Pecnik said. “Consumers are looking for super dwarf plants and hybrid varieties that grow more compactly and less aggressively.” Vanessa compact verbena, Crazytunias®, dwarf spreading petunias, and Endless Summer® Pop Star® Hydrangeas are available.
Many people who do not have enough backyard space but still desire color and greenery are turning to vertical gardens as part of the micro-gardening craze. Vertical gardens, as opposed to flat or horizontal beds, are constructed along some form of vertical structure, with plants growing upward rather than outward. If you’re thinking about doing this style of gardening, here are a few pointers:
- You should ensure that your vertical garden gets at least six hours of direct sunlight.
- You may start with an existing structure or create something new, such as an arbor, gazebo, arches, pergola, brickwork, hardscapes, and wood items. Ensure that the framework can withstand the weight of the plants.
- Containers, pockets, wall planters, and stand-alone items may be utilized to cultivate your plants.
- Vegetables, herbs, black-eyed Susans, orchids, ferns, and other small plants you would ordinarily grow in pots will all work.
- Plants that “trail” or dangle (such as pothos) are excellent choices because they provide a cascading effect that adds depth and complexity to your patio or landscape.
- As with any other garden, combine comparable plants that demand the same amount of water and light.
TREND 4: BECOMING A PLANT PARENT
“Plant parenting” is a colloquial term for someone who treats their plants like a pet or a family member. Though millennials invented it, it is now widely accepted by Boomers, GenXers, and Millennials. The word is usually linked with growing indoor plants like pothos, snake plants, philodendrons, succulents, and others, but it has also been used for outdoor container gardening. “People of all generations have fallen in love with caring for plants and helping them grow, which is very fulfilling,” Musgrave said. “They’re growing plants in traditional beds, raised garden beds, and hanging baskets, and many use organic fertilizers and chemicals.”
TREND 5: INCLUDING RARE PLANT SPECIES IN YOUR GARDENING
With the younger generation becoming involved in gardening, they seek out rare plants such as certain varieties of philodendron, monstera, hoyas, and other tropicals. And just like the trend of posting a photo of your food on social media, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are blowing up with pictures of rare and unusual plants. Don’t believe us? How do you explain #philodendron has almost 2.7 million posts on Instagram?
TREND 6: CREATING UNIQUE ZEN & LABYRINTH GARDENS
People will also go beyond the standard garden in 2023, including Zen gardens or labyrinths into their environment.
Gardens of Zen
A classic Zen garden is a dry landscape made of natural components such as rock, gravel, sand, and wood, with few plants. Bridges, sculptures, and stone lanterns are artificial components, having an encircling wall or fence isolating them from the outer world. A Zen garden may have various extra features such as plants, sculptures, walkways, seats, and lighting. Depending on the complexity and extent of your work, a range of books and online resources are available.
Labyrinths
As the weather warms, come outside and join the millions of Americans who are enhancing the aesthetic of their outdoor living area with the beauty of plants and gardens. Happy gardening!
