Landscaping trends have evolved over the years, with manicured lawns and evergreen hedges being popular options that never go out of style. However, there is a growing desire among homeowners to break away from traditional landscaping ideas and create a unique space that reflects their personality and lifestyle. Katie Tamony, Monrovia's Chief Marketing Officer and trend spotter, notes that this trend towards personalized landscape design is increasing rapidly.
According to Tamony, outdoor space personalization can take on various design attributes, but it often goes beyond that. Their research shows that gardening provides a unique connection for individuals, whether it's an interest in pollinators such as bees and birds or creating a functional and beautiful space that allows them to connect with family and friends. For others, it's about developing a calming sanctuary to unwind and relax.
During the pandemic, people spent more time at home, resulting in a renewed interest in gardening and outdoor living. Initially, this interest was focused on sprucing up outdoor areas to make them more comfortable. However, Tamony notes that homeowners are now looking to maximize and personalize their outdoor spaces.
We were curious about emerging gardening trends for next year and reached out to Monrovia's team for insight. Based on their consumer research findings from thousands of people, here are the most significant garden trends for 2023, along with the plants that can help you achieve the look you want (just ensure that the plants are suitable for your USDA hardiness zone).
1. Garden Of Eden
One of the prominent garden trends for the coming year is the wild, earthly, Garden-of-Eden vibe. To achieve this aesthetic in your backyard, consider incorporating edible plants throughout your landscape rather than limiting them to raised beds. This trend is all about nurturing nature by including pollinator- and bird-friendly plants, using organic products, and paying attention to soil health.
Katie Tamony notes that this trend is about creating a vibrant space that is teeming with life and activity. An abundant garden integrates the usefulness of edible plants with the love of pollinator plants while providing season-long habitat for birds. This trend is especially popular among younger gardeners who want to weave together herbs, trees, and shrubs in their garden space.
To achieve this look, consider adding plants such as Superlicious Blackberry, Pink Symphony Snowberry, Pink Pearl Agastache, Fresco, and Apricot Echinacea to your garden.
2. Architectural Simplicity
The next trend that is gaining popularity is inspired by elegant travel experiences, such as European estates, wineries, or luxury hotels, and embodies a sense of refinement, history, and tradition. To bring this trend to your home, focus on a limited color palette, such as green and white, and repeat forms through masses and rows for a striking visual impact. Topiaries, sculptural succulents, boxwood hedges, and garden walls are all excellent choices for this trend.
According to Katie Tamony, homeowners who are drawn to architectural simplicity often work with professionals for design and installation. They may start their own design by considering boxwood or grass borders and then add a few traditional flowering shrubs, such as roses or hydrangeas, to create a cohesive look.
To achieve this look, consider incorporating plants such as Bridal Veil Agapanthus, Grace N’ Grit White Shrub Rose, Emerald Boxer Holly, and Lumen Gold Fountain Grass in your garden.
3. Upscale Relaxation
The Upscale Relaxation trend is all about creating a luxurious outdoor space for relaxation and recreation, akin to being on a tropical vacation. According to Tamony, the top reason people are embarking on outdoor projects is to create a relaxing and calming space. This trend involves investing in high-quality outdoor furnishings, elaborate fire pits, pizza ovens, water features, and more.
The landscape design for this trend includes plants with a variety of ombre shades, textured foliage, tropicals, and grasses that sway in the breeze. In addition, houseplants are being used to create a lush and relaxing feel. Large plants that are typically kept indoors are being brought outside to enhance the luxurious atmosphere.
To achieve this trend in your own backyard, consider using plants like Royal Hawaiian Waikiki Colocasia, Ninetta Begonia, and Ficus Umbellata.
4. New Victorian
Gardeners are increasingly drawn to more traditional garden plants, such as roses, lilacs, hydrangeas, and hollyhocks. “Blame it on Bridgerton,” says Tamony, referring to the popular Netflix series. “This trend is an elevated and maximized version of cottage gardens,” she adds. “These classic, pretty plants bring a sense of history and tradition without the slight chaos of the typical cottage design.”
Although the New Victorian trend has a casual and rambling feel, it is not disorganized. It usually features a more feminine color palette of pink, purple, and white flowers, along with delicate foliage. The trend is accentuated with romantic garden features such as white fences, gravel or brick pathways, birdbaths, and stone planters.
To achieve this look, choose fragrant roses such as the Bubbly Fragrant Rose, Seaside Swirl Pink Rugosa Rose, or the Heavenly Ascent Pink Climbing Rose. Purple flowers such as the Seaside Serenade Crystal Cove Hydrangea and Arctic Falls Campanula also add visual impact to the New Victorian garden.
5. Scandinavian Minimalism
This trend embraces the Danish concept of hygge, or finding (and creating!) coziness and comfort in your surroundings.
“In the garden, this trend translates to a reverence of materials like stone, warm woods, and contrasting colors of black and white,” says Tamony. “For plants, we’re seeing varieties that cascade over stone, and flowers that provide an almost dreamy quality. It’s almost like a painted feeling with natural structure and beauty. Think conifers and airy blooms that sit atop tall stems.”
To nail the Scandinavian Minimalism trend in your own yard, opt for plants such as JeanGenie Colorado Blue Spruce, Burly Blue Juniper, Seaside Serenade Glacier Bay, and Blackhawks Big Bluestem.
6. Waterwise Plants
Water conservation has become increasingly important due to droughts and extreme weather conditions, making the use of waterwise plants a necessity.
According to Tamony, "Being waterwise in your garden is essential no matter where you live. Homeowners are interested in climate-appropriate plants that have lower water needs, without sacrificing beautiful blooms, bold color, and lush foliage. These needs are driving the selection, testing, and introduction of plants to the market."
To create a striking garden without increasing your water consumption, consider incorporating plants such as Rocket Jr. Red Hot Poker, Sweetmaroon Myrtle, Sumerlasting Plum Crape Myrtle, or Celebrations Fireworks Kangaroo Paw.
