Garden Trends To Try In 2023

By British Garden Centres

Shutterstock / Svitlana Hulko © A lady gardening Pic: Shutterstock

Pic: Shutterstock

British Garden Centres is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 62 centres around the country, so who better to ask about the themes and trends that will be big for gardeners in the coming year…

We may still be deep in winter, but it’s good to plan ahead for lighter and brighter day. Take a look at some ideas to incorporate into your own outdoor space.

Sustainability

With consumers becoming more empowered and eco-aware, we can expect to see more natural and recyclable products in gardens. Gardeners looking at reducing their carbon footprint will be opting for British-grown plants and locally-made products.

We expect to see more plant pots made from recyclable materials such as ocean plastic, recyclable rubber and reclaimed waste on patios and balconies across the country.

And why not pick solar-powered lights and water features, as well as cost-saving LEDs, to light up your outdoor spaces after dark?

Looking ahead to summer, and remembering the unprecedentedly hot months last year, the threat of a dry gardening season and lack of rain will need to be considered. Watering plants using a watering can, bucket, or using rainwater from a water butt is a great way to save water and will help your plants thrive during the hot spells.

Plants

Gorgeous Delphiniums

The biggest event this year is set to be King Charles’ Coronation in May, and we expect to see trends from the celebration spread into our homes with households planting their gardens and containers in patriotic red, white and blue.

His Majesty has made no secret that his favourite plant is the Delphinium which he grows at Highgrove and describes as magnificent. King Charles is a well-known advocate for gardening so we think Delphiniums which symbolise positivity will be a popular choice for gardeners.

Continuing the cottage core trend is the Queen Consort whose favourite plant is the Lady’s Mantle or Alchemilla Mollis with its attractive green crimped parasols of foliage and delicate yellow flowers. It makes for excellent ground cover and is ideal for cottage-style gardening. Expect to see the rise of cottage favourites and nostalgic plants like roses, lilac, hydrangea, and hollyhock too, as the country prepares for its first Coronation for over 70 years.

Recently, Pantone, the colour trend experts, revealed the highly anticipated colour of the year for 2023: ‘Viva Magenta’ which will dominate fashion, the home and the garden. Pantone describes the colour as “brave and fearless, a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative” which we believe will transfer outdoors.

We love pelargoniums which produce attractive dark magenta flowers (as well as other colours). This trend will also appeal to wildlife lovers who want to bring pollinators to the garden.

Glorious red, white and blue planting

Grow your own

As household bills soar, we expect to see more people growing food in their gardens. Whether it be alpine strawberries or fresh herbs, whole summer salads to root vegetables and fruit, being self-sufficient will play a key part in 2023.

Growing your own not only provides a sustainable and convenient source of fresh produce, but also allows for greater control over the quality and safety of the food being consumed, as well as being a fun, healthy and rewarding hobby.

Pic: Shutterstock

Microgreens will also become a popular culinary trend because of their intense flavour, high vitamin content and ease and speed to grow – the perfect window-sill crop!

Outdoor living

There will be a strong focus on outdoor living and relaxation with the garden now viewed as an outdoor room or an extension of existing living space. Luxurious and sociable eating areas, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and decking will be must-haves for 2023. We also will see dining al-fresco become more and more popular with outdoor kitchens accompanying garden furnishings.

Wall art, outdoor mirrors and garden décor are also taking off as homeowners decorate their outside with as much care and thought as the interior of their homes. Metallic accents are steadily gaining popularity and can add warmth or a focal point outdoors. To incorporate metallics into your garden aesthetic, try using wall mirrors with thin silver frames and use metal lanterns to enhance pathways or as table centrepieces.

Houseplants

Pic: Shutterstock

Don’t forget the inside of your home! Houseplants are ideal for adding texture to your living space – and can even improve your health. Biophilic design, which is all about incorporating nature into our homes through design, will continue to thrive. Houseplants with attractive foliage, like calatheas, will continue to trend. Look for different shapes and colours of planting to enhance your rooms. Also look out for oversized houseplants. Monstera or the Swiss Cheese Plant and palms are great to brighten up the corner of your room, whilst cacti and succulents are easy to care for and look great when placed on sideboards and tables.