GARDEN TRENDS TO TRY: HOW WE’RE EMBRACING OUTDOOR LIVING

As a nation, we’ve truly embraced gardening over the past year. With social distancing in place, many of us have fallen in love with our outdoor spaces—whether for entertaining or simply relaxing. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), three million Brits have recently developed green fingers.

Are you looking to boost your garden’s appeal or just enjoy working on it more? These 2021 garden trends could help give your outdoor space a whole new look.

Give Gardens a Wild Look

Neat flower beds are taking a back seat as the wild garden trend grows in popularity. One of the biggest benefits of a wilder look is its ability to attract wildlife. A patch of meadow flowers can support pollinators and encourage birds to visit. Simply scattering tall meadow flower seeds is a great way to start. For a more ambitious project, consider adding a natural-looking pond.

While wild gardens may appear low-maintenance, they can still involve plenty of hands-on work—perfect for keen gardeners.

Bring the Inside Outside

For years, we’ve brought the outdoors in with floral wallpaper, leafy prints, and indoor plants. Now, the trend is reversing.

With families and friends gathering in gardens more than ever, it makes sense to bring creature comforts outside. Think comfy outdoor sofas, al fresco dining tables, or even garden bars, outdoor cinemas, and hot tub areas. Add mood lighting, decorative privacy screens, or a fire pit for cooler evenings. With summer on the horizon, there’ll be plenty of chances to enjoy your outdoor living space.

This trend is all about tailoring your garden to how you like to relax or entertain—just outdoors.

Show Your Front Garden Some Love

We often focus our attention on back gardens, but there’s a good reason to invest in your front garden too.

According to RHS research, greener front gardens can make you feel happier, more relaxed, and closer to nature. In a four-year scientific study, ornamental plants were added to bare front gardens. Researchers measured cortisol levels (a stress hormone) before and after. Before planting, only 24% of residents had healthy cortisol patterns. After planting, that number rose to 53%.

Over half of participants said their front garden made them feel happier, and 40% said it helped them relax. So, if you’re looking to boost your wellbeing, your front garden might be the perfect place to start.

Make the Most of Small Spaces with Vertical Gardens

Green fingers aren’t just for those with large gardens. The pandemic has shown us how valuable even the smallest outdoor space can be. For those with limited room, vertical gardening is a great way to create a green sanctuary. It’s also ideal for balconies and small patios.

Start by choosing a bare wall or fence. You can buy ready-made vertical planters or repurpose wooden pallets for a DIY approach. Fill them with alpine, trailing, or herb plants to create a lush, layered look.

Pick Your Own Vegetables

More gardeners are turning their outdoor spaces into productive patches. Growing your own food can boost your intake of fresh produce, reduce your grocery bill, and offer a real sense of satisfaction.

According to the RHS, staples like potatoes, salad leaves, and onions are among the most popular choices. Raised beds are also on the rise—they improve accessibility and can promote faster growth. Even in small gardens, pots and troughs can be used to grow herbs, tomatoes, and more.

Embrace “Lazy Lawns”

If you’re not a fan of keeping your lawn pristine, the lazy lawn trend is for you. It doesn’t mean neglecting your lawn entirely, but rather accepting natural wear and tear—especially if it’s used for relaxing or play.

Don’t stress if patches turn brown in summer. You might even consider alternative grass types that require less maintenance, such as mixed grasses that stay greener without fertiliser and resist drought.

Short on time? Try mowing just part of the lawn and letting the rest grow wild. Create a winding path by mowing a strip through it—perfect for enhancing that wild garden look.

Whatever you decide to do with your garden this year, we hope you create a haven to relax in and a welcoming space to enjoy with family and friends.