“Please note that Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may receive commission or revenue from certain products linked in this article.” As we bid farewell to winter and eagerly await warmer weather and blossoming gardens, it’s time to assess our outdoor spaces and plan for a rejuvenation in 2025. While the allure of beautiful roses is undeniable, there are profound physical, mental, and emotional benefits to be gained from immersing ourselves in gardening activities. The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society (PHS) has identified “horticulture as therapy” as a significant trend for the year, noting the therapeutic impact of plants on mental well-being. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are increasingly incorporating horticulture as a healing practice, emphasizing the positive link between plants and emotional health, motivating more individuals to cultivate greenery for ecological and personal enrichment.
On a personal level, people are recognizing the value of reconnecting with nature and taking a hands-on approach to enhancing their living spaces. Carmen Johnston, the owner of Carmen Johnston Gardens in Georgia, emphasizes the joy of growing plants and the accessibility of gardening as a fulfilling hobby. Through her virtual landscape design company, Bespoke Garden Plans, Carmen assists gardeners nationwide in enhancing their outdoor areas, reflecting the growing trend of personalized and engaging gardening experiences.
Whether you seek inspiration from botanical gardens or social media platforms like Instagram, it’s essential to stay grounded in practical considerations. Understanding your climate zone, sunlight exposure, and your willingness to invest in maintenance are key factors in ensuring the vitality of your plants. Keeping abreast of design trends and landscaping ideas can also guide your garden transformation. Here are five expert-endorsed garden trends for 2025:
1. Naturalistic Gardens: Embrace the beauty of informal and free-spirited landscape designs that mimic the organic patterns found in nature. Densely planted natives, wildflowers, and grasses create an undeniably charming and low-maintenance garden aesthetic.
2. Edible Landscapes: Incorporate fruit trees and vegetable patches into your garden to enjoy both a bountiful harvest and visual appeal. Growing your own food can be a rewarding experience, even in limited spaces, allowing you to savor the freshness of homegrown ingredients.
3. Vibrant Colors & Textures: Infuse your garden with bold hues and diverse textures to create visual interest and dynamic contrast. Experiment with a mix of vibrant flowers, foliage, and plant varieties to add depth and personality to your outdoor space.
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In the world of photography, Carmen emphasizes that classic green-and-white gardens are always fashionable. However, she has noticed a growing trend among clients who are embracing the use of texture in their garden designs. This does not necessarily mean an explosion of colors; rather, incorporating variegated foliage, diverse leaf shapes, and contrasting textures can enhance existing colors while maintaining a subtle aesthetic. These textural elements help highlight other plants and add depth to the overall space.
For those seeking a bolder approach with more colors, Carmen suggests now is the perfect time to experiment with rich, saturated hues such as deep blues, hot pinks, and vivid purples to infuse energy and vibrancy into the garden. Additionally, there is a rising interest in creating monochromatic gardens for those desiring a serene and calming atmosphere. A monochromatic palette can evoke feelings of peace, modernity, and sophistication without the need for vibrant hues, focusing instead on setting a mood that complements the space and its inhabitants.
In response to increasing droughts and extreme heat, water-smart landscaping has become essential, according to Carmen. Embracing drought-tolerant plants like succulents and natives, as well as implementing mulching techniques to retain moisture, are key strategies she employs to create lush and vibrant gardens that require minimal watering. By making informed plant choices, utilizing efficient irrigation methods, and employing thoughtful design principles, Carmen strives to achieve thriving landscapes that thrive sustainably in water-wise environments.
Pollinator gardens are another area of focus for Carmen, who enjoys designing spaces that attract beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, birds, and ladybugs. By incorporating nectar- and pollen-producing plants like lantanas and sages, she promotes a diverse ecosystem within her garden designs. Encouraging practices like using leaves as natural mulch and planting native species further enhances the garden’s appeal to a variety of pollinators, contributing to a vibrant and biodiverse outdoor environment.
Nostalgia gardening, a trend that appeals to both seasoned and novice gardeners, involves drawing inspiration from the past to create gardens that evoke sentimental memories and familiar scents. Whether it’s reminiscing about the lilacs and roses of childhood or incorporating elements like wildflowers, stepping stones, and garden benches reminiscent of days gone by, this trend reflects a desire to reconnect with nature and savor the simple pleasures of the outdoors. Kate Spirgen from Proven Winners notes that Nostalgia Gardening aligns with a broader movement towards slowing down and appreciating the beauty of the natural world.
Among other recent garden trends is Cottage Gardening, which captures the essence of the timeless English countryside. Another noteworthy trend is Chaos Gardening, characterized by its carefree, laid-back, and experimental approach, reminiscent of the fearlessness and curiosity of childhood. In addition to these trends, check out our selection of 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style, as well as over 30 vibrant Paint Colors that have the power to instantly rejuvenate and transform your kitchen space.
