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Gardeners are adapt to the challenge of a change macrocosm by embracing new approaches to garden : traditional methods are being update , along with a new perspective on the role of garden in everyday life sentence . Prioritizing the needs of wildlife and implementing sustainable practices that raise local ecosystems ( and ourselves ! ) are all coming together to create deep personal and more environmentally well-disposed garden that are a true joy to behold .
retard out the telecasting " 2025 Trends in Garden Design , " with Rebecca Sweet , Denise Kelly , and Jim Peterson , where they dig deeper into each of these 10 trends coming your style in 2025 .
1. The Rise of Native Plants and ‘Nativars’: Meeting the Demand for Eco-Friendly Gardens
The vivacious , colorful bloom of red Polygonum fagopyrum ( Eriogonum grande rubescens ) are a stark example of a low - water native perennial that thrives attractively in traditional repeated borders . The Macomber Garden . Design and photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
The requirement for aboriginal plants is skyrocket as more gardener agnize their many benefit .
“ From the industry linear perspective , aboriginal plants and the conversation about the public utility company of aboriginal plants keep to be a hot theme . We in all probability get the most requests from our client for lit , messaging , and information on this theme . ” — Andrew Jager , Marketing Manager for Walters Gardens ( Proven Winners Perennials )
To play this requirement , breeder and raiser are offering a extensive variety of native , include ' nativars , ' which are cultivated aboriginal plant specifically designed to thrive and fit into residential gardens . While aboriginal plants are typically defined as growing in nature without human intervention , ' nativars ' are created by select and traverse aboriginal plant seedlings to produce trust traits such as compendious size or brighter colored peak . In many cases , they provide intellectual nourishment and habitat for pollinators and wildlife , just like their gaga counterpart , but with the tot welfare of being more adaptable to home garden — thus attracting more home gardeners to apply them .
“ The interest group in aboriginal plants continues to surge , and our industrial plant bringing up computer programme for indigen has for old age focused more on young size and habits for native species that make them wanton to use in residential configurations . This is unlike than what most people think a plant breeding programme does , as they strike it ’s about new flower colors and shapes . " — Stacey Hirvela , Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs and theGardening Simplified podcast .
2. Redefining Perfection: Finding Harmony in a Less Tidy Garden
In Freeland and Sabrina Tanner ’s autumn garden , fallen folio and wither perennials are intentionally leave behind in piazza to provide tax shelter for tunnel dirt ball while offering a unique perspective on the quiet , fading beauty of the fall landscape . Photo by : Sabrina Tanner . See more of the Tanner Garden .
In reply to the apace dwindling louse and bird population crisis , nurseryman are re - defining what it mean to have a symmetrical garden . Nature is encourage to thrive in our garden which means , in part , adopt a more relaxed and organic gardening style . Perfection is being re - define as we do n’t rush to square away up fading perennial , remove seed heads , or run down up every foliage in the garden .
“ I feel like masses are more uncoerced to take over the aesthetics that may be a petty less tidy looking . There are still those who are looking for the perfect lawn and not a leafage out of place , but they are fewer and further in between . Most people have decided that , if there ’s lawn , there can be some clover and that ’s ok . And , thanks to public garden like the Lurie Garden and the Highline , people are start out to see the beaut in all stage of a perennial ’s life . Our aesthetic lens of the eye has develop , and now , more of us are able to appreciate this different kind of sweetheart . " — Megan Wade , Founder of Fieldwork Design Group
3. The New Look of Low-Water Landscapes
Lush , low - water plants have transform this suburban garden into a vibrant Shangri-la brimming with colorful heyday , contrasting grain , and celestial fragrance . This brisk update heighten the garden ’s visual appeal and stomach sustainable gardening practice session , making it a welcoming spot for residents and pollinator likewise . Designed by Susan Morrison . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
While cacti and succulent are great for low - water gardens , the choice do n’t arrest there ! Manydrought - tolerant plantsoffer lush , leafy foliage and vibrant blooms , pretend them ideal choices for those need to reduce pee usage in their gardens .
“ Replacing lawn with low - water plant in drouth - prostrate area is not a new idea . What is Modern is that designers and gardeners are move beyond succulents and rock gardens and recognizing that any garden style can be reinterpreted with a lower - piss pallette . My client are excited to get wind they can have the heyday - filled bungalow garden they starve while still using weewee responsibly . Incorporate bush like grevillea and disconsolate hibiscus , and perennial like yarrow , catmint , and kangaroo paw for a long time of year of colorful blooms . ” — Susan Morrison , landscape painting architect with Creative Exteriors Landscape Design .
Exploring young possibilities indrought - resistant landscapingallows gardeners to create lush , diverse environments that thrive with minimal water , intermingle beauty with sustainability .
4. Fire-Resistant Gardening
The Sago palm ( Cycas revoluta ) is not only visually fall with its bold , feathery fronds , but its leatherlike , thick foliation makes it a hardy , fire - adaptative plant that can roleplay a all-important role in creating defensible space around homes . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
Due to the rise in uttermost weather condition , flaming - resistant gardeningis becoming increasingly popular not only in fire - prone areas of the West Coast but also across the country . nurseryman are focusing on creating garden that are not only beautiful and environmentally friendly but also more resilient in the face of wildfire , or at the very least , will not exacerbate a wildfire .
“ I cognize this is n’t new to the West , but here in the Midwest , I ’m beginning to get wind more about flame - resistant plants and what take a crap a good , fire - insubordinate perennial . Perhaps going mitt - in - hand with concern about fire resistance is an on-going desire for plants with salutary passion and drought tolerance . ” — Andrew Jager , Walters Gardens ( Proven Winners Perennials )
5. Creating More Living Spaces for People and Wildlife
What was once a parking strip of ankle - wrench cobblestone and a water - thirsty lawn is now a vibrant , broken - urine garden alive with colorful blooms and fluttering butterfly stroke . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
blow up outside keep spaces for both citizenry and wildlife is becoming increasingly popular . householder are rethink traditional lawn and transform often drop distance — such as parking strips , rooftops , and idle driveways — into areas filled with aboriginal plants , pollinator gardens , and outside animation outer space .
“ In Chicago ’s northside neighborhoods , there is an increase in parkway gardens . The requests I see from client is to cut down lawn and to increase the area they can plant perennials in , both for delight and to help create habitat for pollinator . There ’s an step-up in both drive with a coordination compound of perennial , as well as lawn choice such as genus Liriope and ground cover . ” — Megan Wade , Fieldwork Design Group
Get urge on to extend your garden infinite with these gorgeous garden :
6. Turning to Resilient Plants to Manage Environmental Stressors
Boxleaf genus Euonymus ( Euonymus japonicus’Microphyllus ' ) is an excellent substitute for disease - prone Turkish boxwood in this reimagined parquet circle garden , offering a fresh take on classic borders . The Miller garden . Design and photo by Rebecca Sweet .
Selecting lively works is crucial when garden in areas with harsh environmental conditions . These plants are well - adapted to withstand stressors like pollution , mood change , and diseases , allow them to thrive where other species sputter to outlast . Boxwood is a classic example , with the dreaded boxwood blight fungus quickly destroying vast areas of established flora .
‘ Everyone roll in the hay the classical look of Turkish boxwood , and it ’s such a wonderful trouble - solve plant life . But it ’s not without problems — wintertime damage in cold mood , the aroma of many miscellany , and pests and diseases , both new ( box blight , box tree moth ) and old ( psyllid , leaf miner , spider mites , etc . ) . So , there is tremendous sake in evergreen plant shrubs that serve a like esthetic function in the garden but without the liabilities . This could mean plant life likeinkberry holly , new genus likePyracomeles , and even rethinking old favorites likegardeniaas potential replacements . " — Stacey Hirvela , Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs
Other flora selections that are known for their resilience to environmental stress include Ginkgo ( Ginkgo biloba ) , redbud ( Cercis ) , honeylocust ( Gleditsia triacanthos ) or silver maple ( Acer saccharinum ) trees ; many grasses , includingswitchgrass(Panicum virgatum ) , and perennial such asyarrow(Achillea millefolium),catmint(Nepeta ) orconeflowers(Echinacea ) .
7. Focus on Mental Well-Being in the Garden
A front garden firepit , paired with cozy seating and border by a relaxed , cozy garden , offers the utter spot to unwind with fellowship and booster . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
Given the increasing challenges of horticulture ( as demonstrate by the above trend ! ) , there ’s a spring up trend to create intimate , smooth spaces within the garden that offer peace of mind and purpose while cultivating genial well - being . Gardens are being design with repose in mind , incorporate space for speculation , reading material , or intimate arena for gathering with loved ones . These tranquil spaces serve as sanctuary where gardener can recharge , blending the therapeutic power of nature with personal well - being .
Explore these inspire write up and get tip on creating your own peaceful garden spaces :
8. A Nod to Nostalgia
This delightful , lush garden bed embody the appeal of a bungalow garden , burst with vivacious colors from darling classics like cottage pink ( Dianthus ) , rose wine , and poppies . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
There ’s a noticeable increase in requests for nostalgic touches in the garden to institute a sense of comfort and familiarity . Elements such as oversized dramatic blooms , relaxed color system , or technique such as aslant brick edging all give a nod to gardens past .
With their informal magical spell , cottage - trend gardensare also resurging , stir cherished memories while bring a sense of unbridled joy , peace , and continuity . And while it ’s always fun to strain the late and sterling plant introduction , gardener are look to tot up plant that cue them of their female parent or gran ’s garden ( often let in classics likepeonies , bearded iris , andhydrangeas . )
For a tinge of nostalgia and timeless beauty , here are some insights and plant thought to help you bring the charm of bungalow - fashion gardens into your own blank :
9. Portable Plants: Gardening While Renting
riotous and vibrant container group utterly transform a sparse parking strip into a flourishing garden . look at incorporating a few evergreen plant shrubs with colorful foliage or fragrant blooms to evoke the tone of a traditional garden bed . unite these with fresh herbs and seasonal , annual containers to create a lush and inviting garden fill with life , aroma , and colour . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
If you ’re a tenant who bonk to garden , container gardeningis a howling solution for bringing nature into your blank space . Containers are affordable , adaptable , and soft to relocate , reserve renters to embrace the joys of horticulture while navigating the unique challenges of rental bread and butter . Whether it ’s a small balcony , a gay windowsill , or a shared court , with a picayune imagination and a few pots , you’re able to create your own vibrant oasis no matter where you call house .
Make the most of small spaces with creative container gardening estimate arrant for renter look to add a touch of unripe to any mount :
10. Grow Your Garden Knowledge: Exciting Gardening Education Opportunities
This charm- and art - filled vegetable garden is just one of the spaces canvass in Freeland & Sabrina ’s Garden Experience , a two - day in - individual acquire event . The vivacious color , unique plant life combination , and typical artwork sprinkled throughout the garden explore the connection between art and nature . This immersive experience is designed to spark imagination and cultivate a deeper taste for the beauty of our gardens . exposure by : Rebecca Sweet .
With the salary increase of practical engineering and online education , gardener can now connect with world - class designers and fellow horticulture enthusiasts from anywhere , with the flexibility to see at their own gait . Still , many are also enjoying a homecoming to in - person effect , which offer immersive , hands - on learnedness and the probability to live garden at first hand . Both option provide unique ways to grow and link , bring a sense of inspiration and shared passion for horticulture .
search these expert - precede opportunities to transmute your garden into your own personal hideaway :
2025 Trends in Garden Design
BOOK REBECCA AS YOUR NEXT GARDEN SPEAKER!
Fun , passionate , and knowledgeable , three words that discover Rebecca Sweet!See what word topics are useable and watch a short videoas Rebecca explain how her talk will inspire , entertain , and educate nurseryman at all skill horizontal surface .
