Getting Back to the Garden
Trends in design and colour tend to be more prevalent in interiors than exteriors. But the same factors of lifestyle changes, societal attitudes and consumer behaviours influence how people use their outdoor spaces. This year climate change, environmental impact and economic pressures are bringing sustainability and personalization to the forefront in garden design.
“Families are faced with more financial challenges these days,” says Lynne Kring, interim general manager at London’s Parkway Garden Centre. “So many are choosing staycations and making improvements to their home and garden.” Here are some of the top local trends.
Take it Outside
Outdoor kitchens, from dressed up grill stations to elaborate setups that rival their indoor counterparts for functionality, are a big attraction. Flagstone patios offer a place to sit and relax, with a fire pit or a gas fire table commonly added to enjoy the space at night.
Peggy Darling, creative director at Lakewood Garden Centre in Zurich, says she sees people changing their gardens to reflect their lifestyles and interests. “I see more personalized outdoor spaces — wellness spaces, water features, fire pits, kitchens. The biggest trend is outdoor living spaces.”
“We’re seeing a lot more extensions of the home into gardens,” says Kring, noting people are refreshing old gardens, adding outdoor kitchens, pergolas and lighting.
Nightscaping
“Lighting is something we didn’t see much 20 years ago,” says Darling. “Now it’s part of every job. People want to see their gardens at night.” Illuminating pathways and spotlighting a tree top the list. “People want a natural focus — such as a water feature,” says Darling. Coloured lights are less popular than traditional, “but that is changing.”
There is a focus on technology integration. “Smart lighting, or ‘nightscaping’ includes timers, dimmers, colour,” says Darling. “LED lights dominate. Solar is not as dependable or durable. We’re back to hard-wiring for longevity and sustainability.”
Healthy Escapes
Creating a place to relieve stress, and an antidote to online living is a top trend. Wellness gardens and water features are big requests, says Darling. “People enjoy the sound and movement of water.” For some, digging in the dirt is their respite, and they want a hands-on space. Others prefer a spot to sit with a cup of tea and enjoy their surroundings.
The term “green-drenching” describes a natural environment filled with calming plants. Outside, choose a variety of textured leaves and heights to create serene interest.
Back to Nature
“The last number of years, we have seen an interest in adding native plants,” says Kring. “People are becoming more aware of the environment, especially the younger generation. Plants and trees indigenous to our area adapt well and are a good source of food and shelter for animals, birds and pollinators.” The days of expansive lush green lawns aren’t valued as much. “They require a lot of water and care,” notes Kring. “Adding white clover to a lawn is good for the soil and the flowers provide a food source for pollinators.”
“Low maintenance and drought-tolerant gardens are popular,” says Kring. “People are busy, and older folks may not be able to work in the garden like they used to. Evergreens, flowering shrubs and reliable perennials are good choices.” Lakewood Garden Centre is in cottage country, so most of Darling’s customers also want easy-care, drought-resistant plantings.
Eco-friendly awareness extends to the greenhouse. “We strive to grow as much as we can in natural fibre pots that are biodegradable, instead of plastic pots,” says Kring. “We use biological insects in the greenhouse to control pests. Reducing the use of pesticides in the garden protects pollinators and is better for the environment.”
Colour Theory
While some sources cite teal as the 2025 colour for gardens (eg. Garden Media Group, a public relations company for the nursery industry), Kring says neutrals are the trend at Parkway: “beige and grey pottery and fabric in cushions and umbrellas. Some of the pottery has a volcanic finish with a bubbly surface.”
Monochromatic schemes, such as all white gardens à la Sissinghurst in England, are seeing a rise in popular-ity, but Kring isn’t seeing this locally. She says customers look more forlow maintenance flowers than eye-catching colours.
Making Your Plant Choices
Before selecting individual plants, consider the location, the amount of sun it receives and the soil. For a balcony, look at the direction it faces and the floor you’re on to determine the amount of wind and sun exposure.
Kring suggests silk plants for challenging spaces. “We’re seeing a lot this year and selling more. They are so realistic.”
Seed catalogues are another source of ideas. For anyone concerned about food costs or origins, growing your own in a container or in the ground is a sound option and a satisfying project.
If you aren’t sure how to proceed, ask the experts. “We have more than 20 people with horticulture diplomas and years of experience,” says Kring. “They can help you make choices, give suggestions.”
“Having a design is a good place to start,” says Darling. “A designer can provide an entire new look and you can work slowly towards it, in two- or three-year phases.” Adding a water feature is a good way to update an old garden without redoing the whole thing. “In an older garden, you can’t just take out one plant. Start with an area and then that section will feel done.” She stresses each location and customer is unique. Know your goal and how you want to use the space.
A trial garden along the Lake Erie shore introduces new plants for nurseries and landscapers to observe patterns. “Growers go there to see how they’re managing,” says Kring. “It helps us make decisions. We always like to bring in something new.” She says it’s a balance between continuing to offer what people have found success with in the past, and providing new selections.
With so many options, from trees in planters, naturalized lawns or raised vegetable gardens, the choices may seem limitless. Kring says, “In the end, it’s what you like. •
