2024 – the year of balance and spiritual focus, as we grow the movement to more meaningful gardens and connections. Through planning and care of an eco-ethical garden, we can achieve balance for the planet and ourselves; and as our gardens flourish, we can reap the rewards of our efforts. As we count down to spring – only 54 sleeps away – we are excited to share these exciting garden movements with you! Current trends in landscaping are good for your wellness and the environment. They’re here to stay and continue to gain momentum.
   1. Wellness Elements
Our gardens and outdoor spaces can provide for our wellness and the wellness of the environment. From physical activity, Vitamin D, stress reduction, mindfulness and relaxation, connection with nature, social interaction, fresh air, creativity from simply being in the garden – your outdoor space and garden can allow for so many ways to contribute to your health. Walking paths, water features, therapeutic or sensory gardens, outdoor sitting areas, edible gardens and medicinal gardens are just a few garden features that can promote mind, body and spirit balance. Go to the next level with a sauna, ice plunge, hot tub and pool. Ecological gardens aren’t just trending, they are essential. The more we connect with nature and reap the benefits of it, the more we realize the need to be in sync with it – our gardens are no exception.
    2. Naturalistic Plantings and Pollinator Friendly Gardens
Prairies, meadows, and naturalized plantings are definitely here to stay! We’ve been installing these ecological landscapes, heavy on native plants, for more than a decade and we’re glad to see they are coming into their own. They bring all the butterflies, beneficial insects and more to the “yard,” which adds another dimension to the landscape. They sequester carbon, reduce runoff, support wildlife, and are basically superheroes in the landscape. Bye excessive lawn, hello beautiful flowers, grasses and winged creatures – and COLOR, which leads us to our next trend!
    3. Color Therapy!
Color can not only provide an appealing aesthetic, colors also have the power to evoke emotions and moods and can be therapeutic. Colorful and diverse gardens can inspire, stimulate creativity and have a positive impact on physical health. Colors aren’t only great for humans. A diverse range of plant colors attract a variety of pollinators, insects, birds, and other wildlife. The Pantone color of the year is Peach Fuzz. We can’t get enough of peach-colored flowers, which really pop against darker oranges, blues and purples; burgundy to silver foliage; and even the hottest pinks and reds. Peach really can go with everything.
    4. Rewilding
Whether through invasive species removal, habitat piles, land restoration, prairie and meadow installation or reforestation, rewilding will have a positive environmental impact for generations to come. Rewilding is wildlife friendly gardening and brings all of nature into balance.
    5. Conversational Gardens and Connection
Who doesn’t love a cozy nook, a great conversation with family or friends, sharing laughs and making memories? From porchscapes to secret gardens or around the fire pit – these spaces don’t have to be large or expensive to create memories and connections. Find a few pieces of fun, comfortable furniture, add some cozy pillows and blankets, and of course, plenty of plants!
    6. Edible and Medicinal Gardening with Perennial Plants and Food Forests
Perennial edibles and medicinal herbs offer long term harvests, low maintenance, resource efficiency, soil health, biodiversity, and cost savings as grocery costs continue to rise. What’s faster than walking outside and getting food you’ve grown yourself? While the growing takes effort, there is nothing better than harvesting food you’ve grown and preparing it for yourself for loved ones.  These gardens, along with food forests, can also provide wildlife habitat, aesthetic appeal, educational opportunities, low maintenance, enhanced soil health, and sustainable food production. Remember to add plenty of pollinator plants to have an abundant feast.
    7. Mixed and Reclaimed Materials
Mixed, reclaimed and repurposed materials can not only have positive environmental impact, they also add visual appeal, personalized style, creative expression, ecological sustainability, and with skillful use, can tie together different elements in an outdoor space. Repurposing existing materials in the garden can sometimes save a little money too.
    8. Mulch free/Reduced Mulch Landscapes and Gravel Gardens
Naturalized plantings achieve this goal, well… naturally. Green mulch contains matrix plantings to fill in the ground layer, replace or significantly reduce the need for mulch, prevent soil erosion, help with weed suppression. Also, in: using what you have. If you have a conifer (pine, bald cypress, etc.) that sheds, leave the needles and maybe use them in other areas of the landscapes. Use leaves from deciduous trees for mulch. Gravel gardens are drought tolerant and reduce the need for mulching, almost permanently.
We hope you’ve enjoyed a glance at garden trends 2024 and hope you find meaning, wellness, and connections in your garden this year and beyond. If you’re ready to get going on your garden projects this year with certified, experienced professionals, give us a call or check out the rest of our website to GET STARTED!
