Top Garden Trends

As we step into 2024, the world of garden design is abuzz with exciting trends that celebrate nature, sustainability, and creativity. From transforming outdoor spaces into open-air sitting rooms to prioritising pollinators and embracing moody colours, this year promises a plethora of innovative ideas to elevate your garden experience. Let's delve into the top garden trends for 2024:

Edimentals, a fusion of edible and ornamental plants, have taken the gardening world by storm, offering a delightful blend of beauty and functionality. This innovative trend embraces the concept of "garden to table" by incorporating a diverse array of edible plants into ornamental garden designs. From vibrant Swiss chard to fragrant lavender, edimentals add visual interest, texture, and flavour to outdoor spaces, turning gardens into immersive culinary experiences. With a growing emphasis on sustainability and self-sufficiency, gardeners are increasingly drawn to the practicality and charm of edimentals, reimagining traditional landscapes as productive and bountiful havens. Whether nestled among flower beds or integrated into vegetable patches, these versatile plants inspire creativity and connection with nature, inviting us to savour the beauty and bounty of the garden from seed to plate.

Texture is making a bold statement in garden hardscapes, replacing the uniformity of smooth surfaces with characterful materials such as timber, textured renders, and riven paved stones. Designers are embracing pattern, contrast, and depth to add visual interest and tactile appeal to outdoor spaces, celebrating craftsmanship and nature-inspired aesthetics. This emphasis on texture not only adds layers of sensory richness but also enhances the overall ambiance of the garden, creating inviting environments that beckon to be explored and experienced. From rough-hewn timber benches to intricately patterned ceramic tiles, each element contributes to the unique personality and charm of the outdoor space, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. As gardens evolve from mere backdrops to immersive experiences, texture plays a pivotal role in shaping the way we interact with and appreciate our outdoor environments.

Exploring naturalistic planting and embracing the principles of the New Perennial Movement represents a dynamic shift in contemporary garden design. This movement celebrates the beauty of wild landscapes and seeks to emulate their spontaneity and ecological harmony in cultivated gardens. By selecting native plants and emphasizing diversity, texture, and seasonality, gardeners can create landscapes that evolve over time, reflecting the rhythms of nature and providing habitat for wildlife. The New Perennial Movement encourages a more relaxed approach to gardening, where plants are allowed to self-seed and mingle freely, creating a tapestry of colors and forms that is both visually striking and ecologically resilient. From meadow-inspired grasses to drifts of wildflowers, naturalistic planting offers endless opportunities for creativity and experimentation, inviting us to reconnect with the untamed beauty of the natural world in our own backyards.

In 2024, purple emerges as the colour of choice for gardens, evoking a sense of richness, sophistication, and creativity. To embrace this trend and infuse your garden with vibrant purple hues, consider incorporating plants such as purple basil, lavender, and purple fountain grass, which not only add visual interest but also attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Additionally, growing purple crops like carrots, cauliflower, and tomatoes can further enhance the beauty and nutritional value of your garden. Purple carrots, for instance, are not only visually striking but also packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients that promote eye health and immune function. Similarly, purple cauliflower and tomatoes boast a unique flavour profile and are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. By cultivating these purple-hued produce, you not only elevate the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also nourish your body with a rainbow of nutrients and flavours, making every harvest a feast for the senses.

Succulents and cacti continue to rise in popularity, serving as a perfect solution for modern, busy lifestyles. Their low-maintenance nature makes them ideal for both indoor and outdoor gardens, offering a touch of greenery to any space with minimal effort. Some standout succulents to consider planting include the Echeveria, with its rosette-shaped leaves in various shades of green, blue, and purple, and the Jade Plant, known for its striking jade-like foliage and resilience. These plants not only provide ornamental value with their sculptural forms and vibrant colours but also align perfectly with the environmental conscious gardening movement.

Succulents and cacti are renowned for their water efficiency, thriving in arid conditions and requiring little irrigation, making them a sustainable choice for gardeners looking to reduce water consumption and environmental impact. Whether adorning windowsills, terrariums, or outdoor rock gardens, succulents and cacti offer endless possibilities for creative expression and connection with nature, making them a trend that both indoor and outdoor gardeners can enthusiastically embrace in 2024.

Environmentally conscious gardens continuous to be a popular trends in gardens this year. The movement embodies a commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the earth. From repurposing materials to embracing local seed provenances, gardeners are increasingly mindful of their environmental impact. By adopting planet-friendly practices and reducing waste, gardens become not only beautiful retreats but also agents of positive change in the face of climate change.

One of the key principles driving this movement is the adoption of drought-tolerant planting techniques. By selecting native species and cultivars adapted to local climate conditions, gardeners can create landscapes that thrive with minimal water input, reducing reliance on irrigation and preserving precious water resources. Additionally, sand gardens have emerged as a creative solution to water scarcity, particularly in arid regions. These minimalist landscapes utilise sand as a primary substrate, punctuated with drought-resistant plants that thrive in sandy soil conditions. Sand gardens not only conserve water but also showcase the beauty of simplicity and adaptability in garden design, serving as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of nature-inspired solutions to environmental challenges.

Say goodbye to traditional outdoor seating arrangements and hello to the open-air sitting room, where garden design is evolving to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating cosy lounging areas adorned with comfortable furniture, rugs, and ambient lighting, thereby fostering a seamless transition between the natural world and the comfort of home. This trend not only encourages relaxation and socialization amidst the beauty of nature but also emphasizes the importance of creating inviting and functional outdoor living spaces that cater to the needs and preferences of modern lifestyles.

In the face of escalating concerns over water scarcity and the imperative to adopt sustainable gardening practices, people are increasingly turning to xeriscaping as a viable solution to create thriving gardens while conserving precious water resources. This year, the xeriscaping trend is set to take centre stage as more homeowners recognize its potential to transform landscapes into resilient, low-maintenance havens of natural beauty. To get involved in this movement, individuals can start by assessing their garden's current water usage and identifying areas where water conservation measures can be implemented. Simple steps such as selecting drought-tolerant plants native to the region, installing efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, and incorporating mulch to retain moisture in the soil can significantly reduce water consumption while enhancing the beauty and functionality of the garden. By embracing xeriscaping principles, gardeners can create landscapes that not only thrive in arid conditions but also serve as shining examples of sustainability and environmental stewardship for years to come.

With the increasing awareness of pollinator decline, gardeners are placing greater emphasis on cultivating plants that support bees, butterflies, and other vital pollinators. Incorporating native flowers such as lavender, coneflowers, and bee balm, along with shrubs like butterfly bush and herbs like thyme and oregano, into garden designs not only enhances biodiversity but also ensures the health and vitality of our ecosystems. To further support pollinators, consider adding water features such as bird baths or shallow dishes filled with pebbles for butterflies to sip from. Planting in early spring or late fall when temperatures are mild and rainfall is more abundant can help establish these pollinator-friendly habitats. By prioritizing pollinators in garden planning and design, we can play a crucial role in safeguarding the future of these essential creatures while creating beautiful and sustainable landscapes for generations to come.

In conclusion, 2024 promises to be an exciting year for garden enthusiasts, with trends that celebrate nature, sustainability, and innovation. Whether you're transforming your outdoor space into an open-air sitting room, embracing the beauty of textured hardscapes, or prioritizing pollinators, there's something for everyone to explore and enjoy in the garden this year.

Outdoor kitchens have become the new must-have for al fresco entertaining. As outdoor kitchens become more of a standard request, we're seeing innovations in design, materials and appliances that can really make your al fresco cooking space the heart of your garden.

Bridgerton has helped bring back elements of classical British Victorian gardens, helping create the New Victorian trend. Featuring a feminine colour palette of pink, purple and white plants. Flourished with romantic garden accents like; white fences, topiaries, water features, bird baths, flow, and pathways. Create an authentic Victorian feel by adding in a rockery, utilising lush bedding plants and a greenhouse featuring tropical plants. For plants, think; roses, lilac, hydrangeas, hollyhock, and wisteria.

The popularity of mindfulness and wellbeing space has continued to grow over the past years leading garden designers to bring these elements into their garden designs to create the sanctuary garden trend. All centred around creating outdoor spaces where you can immerse yourself in nature and relax and clear your mind. This trend has become so popular that the RHS Chelsea flower show created a separate category for sanctuary gardens in 2021 where we saw everything from outdoor yoga platforms, to outdoor spas and everything in-between.

To create your own sanctuary garden, focus on creating a sense of calm. You can introduce water, and create a soothing colour palette centred around luscious greens and tactical plants. Think about choosing foliage that can have a year-round appeal, allowing you to enjoy your quiet sanctuary space all year. Consider plants that will attract wildlife so you can sit back and watch bees, birds and butterflies enjoy the space. Work on creating a feeling of enclosure and privacy with comfortable seating so you can sit back and enjoy the healing power of nature.

With increasing temperatures, heatwaves and hose pipe bans becoming the norm, it's important to consider the water consumption of your garden. Incorporating some drought-resistant and low-maintenance plants is a good way to reduce the water consumption of your garden and ensure your outdoor space looks healthy all summer long. Plants with grey-green leaves reflect the heat such as; sage, rosemary and santolina and tend to be more water wise plants. Palm trees, ornamental grases like; pennisetum, panicum and stipa are all great water wise options. Collecting rainwater, utilising water butts, ollas and mulching are all great ways to reduce water consumption and make your garden more sustainable.

For more information on selecting the perfect drought-resistant plant for your garden see

RHS resource page here.

Greenhouse living is the perfect trend to help you enjoy your garden all year round. Greenhouses are becoming a space for much more than just raising seedlings. With people continuing to use their greenhouses in a more multifaceted way. They are no longer a space only reserved for horticultural activities but a beautiful and inviting area for living, relaxation, dining and lifestyle elements. Greenhouses are a great way to enjoy your garden year round and get out into nature in the winter months. The beautiful plants and growing seedlings give a tropical and beautiful background for a variety of activities. 

English country gardens are a popular trend throughout the world. Popularised by influential gardens, writers and movies and epitomised by a delightful mix of colourful and biodiverse flowers and nature. To recreate this trend focus on a mix of native british blooms (prioritise pollinator friendly plants). With roses and climbing plants are staples of the trend. Elements to incorporate into your garden to embrace this trend are:

Some traditional plants to consider:  rhododendrons, clematis, roses, honeysuckle, lavender, foxgloves, hollyhocks, alchemilla mollis, dahlias and perennials. English country gardens are in many varieties, shapes and sizes so choose your favourite elements to create the country garden of your dreams.

Warmer summers are taking a toll on traditional grass lawns, leading people to reconsider if they are worth the upkeep and high water consumption. Leading many people to consider low-maintenance and drought proof alternatives. If you are still looking to create the traditional feel of a lawn but looking for a lower maintenance solution. There are a variety of options you can choose from, the most popular being: 

All of which are visually appealing, low maintenance and drought proof alternatives to a grass lawn and can help give your garden stunning year round appeal, which requires little to no mowing and less watering than a grass lawn. Whilst also being a good way to increase the biodiversity in your garden. 

Lawn edgings and garden borders are both great ways to elevate your garden and create a cohesive design and can be used in conjunction with each other. Lawn edgings help you achieve a neat and finished look and define a space. As long as it separates two distinct areas you can get creative as you like. Popular choices include stone, brick and concrete, while more creative options range from logs and shells to recycled roof tiles and coated-wire.

Garden borders remain a popular garden idea due to their multitude of uses; providing a showcase for flowers, foliage and shapes year-round, separating spaces, keeping pathways clearly defined, be used for garden zoning, creating defined ‘rooms’ in your outdoor space and preventing plants from creeping into unwanted areas. A good way to structure a garden border is by using multiple layers to create intrigue and year round appeal. Layer one is the tallest, woody shrub layer, giving all year-round structure (be sure to consider how large you would like the layer to grow and plan the space accordingly). Layer two should be medium-height, upright plants, and layer three will be low-spreading plants to eventually form a carpet underneath. Be sure to include some evergreen and drought resistant foliage to your design. Using native and resilient plants that require less feeding and watering helps to create a sustainable garden and helps to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects, helping to improve the biodiversity and create a wildlife friendly garden.

Successional planting helps your garden to look beautiful and interesting throughout the year and main flowering seasons. Successional planting in garden design involves planting a variety of plants that will bloom at different times of the year, allowing you to always have something beautiful to look at. For spring bulbs consider; camassia, tulips, alliums and early flowering plants. For summer consider; Delphiniums, roses, hydrangeas, salvia and other summer showstoppers. For late flowering plants consider; agastache’ blue fortune’, Aster × frikartii ‘Mönch’, Chrysanthemums, Salvia 'Amistad' and  Hylotelephium 'Red Cauli'. Grasses, seedheads, coloured bark and brave winter flourishers can help carry you through the winter until spring comes along again. Adding evergreen trees and shrubs with year-round interest is a fantastic way to amplify this trend. You can also utilise this practice in your vegetable garden by staggering planting of crops or planting varieties with staggered maturing dates to allow you to maximise the growing potential of your space. 

RHS is a great resource to find the best UK blooms for each season.

Edible gardens are a trend that is continuing to gain momentum and one we think is here to stay. There is a growing desire to have local organic fruit, vegetables and herbs grown sustainably and growing your own is a fantastic way to assure this, whilst making  yourself more self-sufficient. The edible garden trend is a new way of embracing this, by incorporating home-grown produce into your garden design, planting edibles among flowering plants and scrubs. A new trend we are seeing is creating edible forests in your garden. Edible forests are a carefully designed, semi-wild ecosystem of plants organised in layers with trees making up the canopy layer, shrubs providing a middle layer and perennial plants covering the ground. Allowing you to create a beautiful yet productive garden area which requires minimum input. Growing flowers is fantastic for creating low carbon home-grown bouquets. 

Terracotta is set to be the garden colour of 2023. This popular interior trend is moving outdoors next year. Terracotta helps bring a natural warmth and texture to your outdoor space and is a soft but powerful colour. You can embrace this trend in a multitude of ways.  Embrace flowers and plants in terracotta hues such as pansies dahlias, Veranda mango roses and long lasting coppertop sweet viburnums are all fantastic choices.Opt for terracotta planters which are an affordable way to add warmth and texture into your garden and come in an array of shapes and sizes (If any planters break you can use the pieces to add drainage to planters). Add terracotta ollas to your planters for sustainable low-maintenance watering. Use terracotta furnishings, opting for scatter cushions, blankets, table runners and outdoor tableware in terracotta hues. Choose terracotta tones for your garden walls and paving. Are always fantastic ways to embrace the trend. 

Terracotta also has many sustainability benefit; 

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