Posted on 06/10/2023 5:55:13 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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8 Garden Trends We See Taking Root in 2023
Gardening will be all about exuberant color, going big in small spaces, and native plants this year. Here’s what to plant to enjoy these garden trends.
Fashion and design industries are known for celebrating ever-changing trends, but why let them have all the fun? Gardeners can stay up-to-date on the new, fun, and fresh, too. Unlike fashion, these trends likely won’t fizzle out in a couple of years. That’s because garden trends are all about gardening smarter, not harder, and some have earth-friendly staying power that is becoming increasingly important to our ecosystem. We surveyed the landscape and pulled out the top trends we see taking root in 2023. From vibrant flowers (our runways consist of lavishly planted display gardens) to updated garden tech, planting ideas, and new products, we’re ready to get growing this year!
1. Fewer But Better Plants
In response to the volatile economy, gardeners are looking for top-performing plants with a big presence. Instead of filling a container with four to six individual annuals, they’re looking for a single plant that can anchor a container or a big swath of a planting bed. These workhorse plants tend to make a bold statement at less than half the cost of a mixed planting.
For example, many of the new begonias grow quickly to fill a large container and bloom constantly with very little care. One we’re particularly excited about for 2023 is the Hula begonia from Ball Horticultural. It blooms nonstop all season long, and will grow in sun or shade.
2. Magenta Blooms
Every year, Pantone (a color expert company) identifies a color of the year. Viva Magenta reigns supreme in 2023. Experts say this nuanced berry-red tone is brave, fearless, and abounding in joy. A balance between warm and cool, Viva Magenta was inspired by a carmine dye produced by the cochineal beetle. Its influence goes beyond interior walls to bring joyful energy to your garden.
A few exciting newer varieties that can add the energy of magenta to your containers and beds include ‘Glimmer Burgundy Double’ impatiens, ‘Titan Cranberry’ vinca, ‘Ka-Pow Pink’ garden phlox.
3. Embrace Native Plants
From hurricanes to unprecedented droughts to extreme cold, gardeners across the country are facing increasingly challenged weather conditions. So why natives? To put it simply, native plants often can withstand what nature throws their way and emerge resilient on the other side while supporting the local ecosystem.
Choose plants that are native to your region (Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, etc.) and pair them with the unique growing conditions in your landscape. For example, look for natives that thrive in wet shade if you have a boggy backyard with dappled light. You can even reach out to local botanic gardens, your state Extension service, or native plant organizations for ideas.
4. Make the Most of Small Spaces
A cooling housing market is spurring Americans to reimagine the space they have, and come up with creative ideas for making the most of small spaces. For plant-lovers, this means embracing every nook and cranny with pots and hanging baskets. Narrow front entry? Bring it to life with generous containers for a gracious welcome. Minuscule back patio exposed to all the neighbors? Add a living screen in the form of a petite potted tree.
5. Houseplants Galore
Houseplants continue to grow in popularity. Whether your home’s become an indoor jungle or you prefer to add a fresh splash of greenery to every room, there’s a continuous stream of new plants to add to your collection. From mini monsteras to a plethora of pothos, finding interesting indoor plants has never been easier.
You can share the beauty and benefits of plants with friends and family, too. Need a housewarming gift or something to celebrate a special occasion? Give a houseplant that suits the recipient’s tastes.
6. Plant a Tree
In addition to native plants, trees continue to be a clear way to combat climate change. Tree planting initiatives grew out of civic and non-profit organizations with increased gusto in 2022. Bring that enthusiasm to your own yard by planting a new tree this year. If you’re limited on space, look for a narrow, upright cultivar of your favorite species. Keep in mind this key mantra when planting trees: right tree, right place, right way.
7. Growing for Abundance
Plants with ornamental qualities along with sought-after ecological characteristics are on the leading edge of garden design in 2023. Take, for example, oak trees: They serve as shelter for wildlife, while providing a food source for pollinators, and shade for a generous picnic spot. Berry bushes, such as the container-friendly Bushel and Berry series, offer eye-catching interest and delicious fruit. Dwarf fig produces abundant deep brown fruit and grows just 28 inches tall and wide, making it a great food source for small urban gardens. Hardworking plants like these come together to make an abundant landscape.
8. Fall Planting
The outdoor growing season doesn’t have to end when cool temperatures become the norm. Garden centers are offering more and more fall-friendly plant options for both color and food crops. Grab a packet of seeds and start an autumn crop of greens. Pick up a flat of color-drenched pansies and ornamental kale to perk up your entryway as the leaves change.
https://www.bhg.com/garden-trends-2023-7106610
Good Morning!
(((HUGS)))
Thanks for the ping.
We’ve been working on planting native plants on our property. It’s appalling the number of invasives this property is over run with.
This is an all-volunteer larkspur army that has made themselves at home in my back garden - I didn't plant a one of them:
I found a chocolate rose that I've been looking for for a while now and added it to my collection. Very unusual, hope the color comes out OK:
And from my dedicated bee garden, bees don't seem to like the cool weather and haven't been around much. These bee-friendly flowers are waiting:
My Helpers!
Trends I see. People starting new gardens who were not gardening for the 12 years I’ve been here. By the looks of their gardens, I’d say most do have experience.
Others have shrunk their gardens and focusing more on less plants and/or planting closer together as opposed to copying row crop tractor farm spacing.
My neighbor buddy however, just wants to complain about too hot or too dry and isn’t growing much.
> going big in small spaces
This ^^^
A lot of vertical gardening to maximize space this year. I have 5 trellises for melons and cantaloupes and am adding 3 more for beans between the tomato plants. The trick will be keeping the tomato vines climbing the poles instead of spreading everywhere. They are not well behaved.
> 8. Fall Planting
And this ^^^
The cabbages were growing into early December last year, so I had some growing pretty much 8 months of the year in zone 6.
My garden has shrunk to pots and a slightly raised border in front of the house. At my age, that is all I can handle. I have a pot of herbs on the front porch (parsley, basil, chives) and 2 Sweet 100s cherry tomatoes in large pots on pedestals on either side of a path to my fountain (no longer operating). In the border in front of the garage, I’ve planted 2 Early Girl tomatoes, I Roma tomato, 1 yellow cherry tomato, and 2 more Sweet 100s cherry tomato. In a huge half barrel, I have 2 zucchini. I can water all of these with one hose while walking on pavement and without getting my feet muddy. Wish me luck.
My flowers are limited to 3 urns and 2 large pots, all in a red, white, & blue theme to go with the eagle wreath on my red front door. I am hoping it will be profuse by the 4th of July. Same hose waters all.
My back is killing me from all that planting, even though most of it was elevated! My mind is ambitious, but my body objects.
Yet what do I find but 3 healthy "volunteer" plants about as big as some of the seedlings that spent 5 weeks under grow lights! Hardy, praise God.
Below are pics, along with the results of a recent adaptation, for the most important work of sharing the gospel, and warning the unrepentant unconverted. To be seen by multitudes at events. Thank God for His race and truth. File under "crafts."
Great looking helpers!
Big, big day yesterday!
Ripped up the sugar snap peas that something is nipping the tops off of - left some cheerful, but unpalatable marigolds in that spot!
Both 3x6 galvanized beds are weeded & mulched where there previously had been none. These beds have the new marigolds, onions (white, red & yellow), red bell pepper, Giant Marconi, & a Diva cucumber. The red bell had two green peppers & something had chewed on one - doesn’t look like a bird. I may end up putting netting around them.
Finally got to the tomatoes. Weeded the bed, then cut off anything touching the pine mulch & some more lower branches that won’t be producing to get better air flow. I had to tie up 2 branches already on 1 of the Celebrities. Instead of trying to take off the existing pine needle mulch, since it has flattened out a lot, I just put weed barrier fabric down on top & added more pine needles on top of the fabric, which should work just fine. All the tomatoes have little tomatoes growing. Bumble bees were very busy pollinating the blooms while I was working🙂
In the late afternoon, I started back on getting the PU cap off. I was told it was a “two man” job. Well, one determined woman, with some ‘skills’ (thank you, dad) can do it too! Cap is off - now I can haul bigger loads without incurring back spasms from being bent over under that cap.
Out a little later than I wanted to be this morning, but I have a sick family member who needed tending. Doing better, so I got out & weeded my jalapeño pepper bed. As I have been weeding, I have been doing a deep watering.
Last is a bed that has bunch & regular onions. All the radishes are pulled, so I will probably plant more. In this warm weather, they’ll be up in a hurry.
More wood chips need hauling for garden walkways, but that will be this evening when the sun isn’t so hot (smoke haze has cleared!). I think I will work on the extension for the herb bed - can saw & construct in the shade of the garage.
It’s a beautiful morning - sitting in the shade of some big old cedar trees, taking a break. A small woodpecker just landed on one of the trees, not 6’ away. Chatty little fella!
I decided not to do tomatoes this year, but am doing almost all cool weather crops and it looks like it’s been a wise decision.
They are all doing well now that the dry spell if over.
Lean and lower method
I hung a piece of window screen up to try and get a better pic
When the vine reaches the top, I move the hook to the left while letting out some string. Lean and Lower. By that time, there are no tomatoes down low and I've also clipped off the lower leaves so it's just the vine laying on the ground. I didn't do it last year and haven't seen anyone do it but I might cover the vine that gets laid on the ground with soil/compost mix so it can grow more roots. I had vines over 12 foot long last year so 4-5 foot was on the ground. The goats finally got into the garden last year and stomped all over the plants, else I would have had maters until cold weather stopped the plants. I made the fence taller and stouter with cattle panels this year.
Criss cross string method
I'm about ready to add a third criss crossing string.
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The woodpeckers here generally seem to just yell at me, when I get to close to where they’re pecking. Squirrels too if I’m close to where they’re eating or collecting acorns or hickory nuts off the trees. Sometimes they pelt me with hickory nut shells.
Got a lot of Mocking birds this year including one who mocks the cat. It’s the funniest thing because the cat gets mad, lays down on top of paws, pulls in head and scowls. Even more so when I LOL at him.
When I was young, I thought it was cool seeing the colors that people invent but as I got older and saw so many colors in nature, I realized people are just copying the colors God invented.
Keep fighting the Good Fight!
“My mind is ambitious, but my body objects.”
Every year I try to come up with ways to make gardening easier for me.
Mainly, it’s saying ‘NO’ to some of my own hare-brained ideas, LOL!
Vertical for me in three spots this season: Scarlet Runner Beans, Saychelles Green pole beans and Good Mother Stollard drying beans.
Tomatoes are caged (tall, square, collapse for storage) and I’ve turned to more determinate varieties that don’t go nuts. I’m not interested in growing 15’ tomato plants, LOL!
I will NEVER be without the slicing tomatoes in the ‘Chef’s Choice’ line. The plants get pretty big but I’ve gotta have my Blacks and Oranges for a pretty plate. ;)
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