Among the latest trends, alternative options can overwhelm gardeners. For most gardeners, our motto might be "slow and steady wins the race".
A gardener willing to wait five to seven years for an apple tree to bear fruit will be able to enjoy its bounty for decades. After three to five years of patience, the popular peony will last a century or more.
While gardening needs to be trendy to be successful and fulfilling, there are new trends worth exploring. Each year, Garden Media Group publishes a report on garden trends based on in-depth stakeholder research.
The annual report helps the horticulture industry fulfill our wishes, and garden centers use it to make decisions about what crops and plants to grow. We are likely to see these trends in planned and ongoing workshops, programs and events.
Below are the names and explanations of seven trends that Garden Media Group expects to grow in 2024:
- The term "downsizing" refers to Generation Z, born after 1997, who want to become homeowners early, which is affecting the gardening and landscaping industry. Over 71% want to buy their first home in the next 1-6 years. Other habits of so-called "zoomers" include a love of buying plants online. They tend to be durable and are willing to pay more and wait longer to get a better, more durable product.
- "Frog Futurism" is a term coined to describe a popular sci-fi gardening movement that includes survival gardens, night gardens, and neon or metallic colors with floral and plant patterns. Brightly colored or silvery plants like some begonias or exotic plants are popular.
- Delight in the Dark focuses on ideas such as lighting trees at night or designing Victorian gardens with a darker atmosphere. "Tombstone tourism" has become a reality, with cemeteries often becoming places to enjoy the sights and beauty within. Organizing events in well-maintained cemeteries enhances their beauty.
- Bugging Out explores the growing interest in insects in garden design. Ideas include classes and workshops on native and pollinating plants and insects. The National Horticulture Survey found that the number of gardeners keeping bees, butterflies and birds increased by 10% year-on-year. Since 2019, the number of people buying native plants has almost doubled.
- Hang in There focuses on the ongoing interest in small spaces and container gardening. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, 89% of the population will live in cities. This will add more interest to containers and small gardens. According to a recent survey, 45- to 54-year-olds saw the biggest increase in spending on container gardening. Hanging gardens in particular are expected to become more popular, as hanging pots for flowers or vegetables maximize vertical space.
- Call of the Wild describes sustainability and respect for the environment. The focus is on interest in increasing urban cover to provide the benefits of trees and promote plants that sequester carbon. People plant trees not only for their beauty, but also for the immediate positive impact they have on their yard.
- According to Garden Media Group, the "color of the year" is Cyber Lime, which the group describes as "a stunning neon color that activates and energizes the body and mind." According to the authors of the report, super bright green represents a strong connection between nature and technology. Lime green plants are in the same category as Queeny Lime Zinnia, Key Lime Pie Heuchera, Gold Bullion Hellebore and Goldmound Spirea. Demonstration houseplants include Painted Lady philodendron, lemon meringue pot, and golden fiddle philodendron.
