Anytime News Article
GARDEN TRENDS IN 2004
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
Easier, simple, and low maintenance gardens were some of the trends in gardening this past year. Another way to say this is that "less now is definitely more." Check your own garden against these dozen trends as identified by the Garden Media Group, a national communications firm. Some trends you may already be practicing, some you may not find appealing, but some you may decide to incorporate into next year's garden.
· Harmony is in. Rather than have a chaotic mix of many colors, use instead mass sweeps of one color or one plant. This is more typical of Japanese gardens than English cottage gardens. Such sweeps of plants are quite popular in Europe.
· Monochrome colors in containers are in. Rather than mix all kinds of colors in containers, again typical of the English style, many now prefer to use only one type of plant. If this is too plain, you may want to use several types of flowers, for different textures, but of the same color. You might also use a couple of complementary colors, such as blue and peach.
· Extending the season is in. No longer do gardeners merely want to plant in the spring. More annuals now are available in midsummer, more perennials are sold throughout the season, a wider selection of color is available for fall planting, and more are using spring-flowering bulbs and early perennials such as Lenten Rose.
· Running water is in. Not only is the sound relaxing, but such water features don't breed mosquitoes and so lessen the concerns with West Nile virus.
· Bold colors are in. This might include vibrant reds, yellows, even blues.
· The green revolution is in. Back once again from the past, people are thinking more now about gardening organically, restoring biological health to their soil and plants, using less chemicals. A healthier lifestyle extends into gardens.
· Garden fun is in. Gardening should be fun, not work, and many products and tools are becoming available towards this end. I find new telescoping or ratchet loppers so easy to prune large branches that one can easily get carried away.
· Landscaping is in. Given the choice of this or remodeling a bathroom or kitchen, more are choosing the former. A remodeled landscape will return 100 to 200% on your investment, compared to an average 75% return for a remodeled bathroom, according to the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. A good landscape might increase the value of your home by an average 7.5%, and reduce the time on the market by five to six weeks, according to a Virginia Tech University study.
· Decorating the garden is in. Think of the garden as another room of the house, just outside. The traditional lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces are blurring. Consider the trees and shrubs as the furniture, more permanent elements. Consider accessories as pots of flowers, ornaments, night lighting, or water features. Actual garden furniture has become more upscale, going from the folding aluminum chairs of years past to Adirondack wooden chairs in bold colors, swings, wooden or Victorian benches, or comfortable stuffed and reclining pieces.
· Luxury products are in. Going along with the luxury furniture are luxury plants. Gardeners are looking for value. They seem to be finding these in brand names, such as the Proven Winners or Simply Beautiful lines of flowers. They also want larger plants sooner-- a more instant effect. One finds many more annuals in 4-inch pots now than in the traditional cell packs, especially in the north where the growing season is shorter. Larger plants at the outset increase your season of enjoyment, and involve less attention than small plants as they become established.
· Gardening connecting people is in. The program to plant extra produce to donate to the needy, a program called "Plant a Row for the Hungry" begun by the Garden Writers Association, has become quite popular. Garden railroads have become widespread, involving husbands with wives in the garden, or grandparents with their grandchildren.
· Greening of cities is in. Once again a movement seen throughout history, including the 19th century development of Central Park in New York, is popular. Flowers, street trees, and green spaces are increasingly seen in towns and cities. America in Bloom, a national program to recognize and award such communities, is gaining momentum yearly with participants from many states.
One of the top analysts of trends in recent years, Faith Popcorn, says that 80% of Americans are looking for ways to simplify their lives in these complex and stressful times. This includes gardening. A simplified garden doesn't mean less, but rather one that is easier to maintain, and requires less maintenance, leaving more time to actually enjoy the garden.
A simpler garden should provide relief from stress, not add to it. Incorporate some of these trends into your own garden, and you should enjoy it more, and you should find that a simple garden is a peaceful garden.