Modern Meadow
CREATE A MORE NATURAL LOOKING FRONT YARD
Our trend spotters are clocking a growing interest in more “natural-looking” gardens, as well as a deepening interest in native plants. Gardeners are craving a natural, carefree style but don’t want to give up well-behaved, long-blooming performance. You can get the look with high-performing pollinator-friendly plants like coneflower, compact grasses, achillea, and salvia. Achieve the coveted meadow look by planting clusters of perennials in free-flowing waves. Remember to choose milkweeds native to your region to best serve your local butterfly population.
1. NORTHWIND SWITCH GRASS
BUTTERFLY WEED
NARROWLEAF MILKWEED 4. DARK MATTER ™ MEADOW SAGE 5. HEAVY METAL BLUE SWITCH GRASS
6. APEX ™ WHITE MEADOW SAGE 7. SUNSEEKERS ™ GOLDEN SUN CONEFLOWER
SUNSEEKERS ™ WHITE PERFECTION CONEFLOWER
Romancing the Edible Garden
CLASSIC POTAGER GARDENS GET AN UPGRADE
The trend toward nostalgia and romance is evolving as it blends with the productivity of edible and pollinator plants in the garden. This style is accomplished by updating the classic romantic cottage or potager garden with new pairings and unexpected partners. Get the look by combining cottage favorites like hydrangeas or roses with beautiful edible options like blueberries or rosemary for a hedge, planting pollinator perennials like echinacea with raised veggie beds, and tucking strawberries and apples next to roses and sunflowers for the perfect balance of color and productivity.
1. STRAWBERRY SHAKE ™ HYDRANGEA 2. BOUNTIFUL BLUE ® BLUEBERRY
3. EAU DE PARFUM™ BLING ROSE 4. THUMBELINA LEIGH ENGLISH LAVENDER
5. TUSCAN BLUE ROSEMARY 6. PHENOMENAL LAVENDER
7. MUNSTEAD LAVENDER 8. NITTY GRITTY ® WHITE ROSE
Bold Color and Calm White
ENERGETIC ELEGANCE COMBINES INTENSE COLOR WITH SOFT WHITE
We look to our gardens to spark joy, and this up-and-coming design approach does just that with the depth and energy of bold colors. These more intense hues bring energy to the garden, while the contrasting white and calming evergreen softens the color scheme to deliver an undercurrent of calm. Get the look by planting bold-colored hydrangeas, roses, and perennials. Then, add lots of pure-white blooms for contrast. Use evergreen hedges or foundation shrubs to add another cool counterpoint.
1. SEASIDE SERENADE ® NEWPORT HYDRANGEA 2. DEUTSCHLAND ASTILBE
3. PATRIOT HOSTA 4. DAVID VIBURNUM 5. NUCCIO'S GEM CAMELLIA
6. GUACAMOLE HOSTA 7. AMORE ™ TITANIUM BLEEDING HEART
8. HIMALAYAN SWEET BOX
Hummingbird Oasis
ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS WITH COLORFUL BLOOMS
Interest in hummingbirds is soaring, inspiring more gardeners to plant gardens that attract these tiny, vibrant visitors for an up-close viewing experience. Fortunately, it’s easy to plant a hummingbird-magnet garden — you just need the right plants! Tubular, nectar-rich blooms in bold hues—particularly reds, oranges, and pinks—are irresistible to hummingbirds. Planting them in masses creates a striking display that reflects the birds’ lively nature. Key selections include cape fuchsia, montbretia, beardtongue, agastache, bee balm, and hot poker. Other favorites like red yucca, hibiscus, and honeysuckle provide both beauty and a reliable nectar source for our favorite busy birds.
1. CHATEAU ® DE CHAMBORD ROSE OF SHARONS 2. CHAPEL HILL YELLOW LANTANA
3. PINK PEARL AGASTACHE 4. COLORBURST ™ ROSE CAPE FUCHSIA
5. HARLEQUIN ™ PINK BEARDTONGUE
6. COLORBURST™ YELLOW CAPE FUCHSIA
POCO ™ YELLOW HOT POKER
HARLEQUIN
CHATEAU
COLORBURST™ YELLOW CAPE FUCHSIA
2' WIDE
SHADE
PINK PEARL AGASTACHE
STOPLIGHTS HESPERALOE
COLORBURST ™ ROSE CAPE FUCHSIA
CHAPEL HILL YELLOW LANTANA UP TO 18" TALL, 36" WIDE
Green Drenching
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SERENITY
The design trend of “color drenching” makes its way to the garden, and the result is pure peace. Green drenching leverages the calming effect of layered greenery to transform gardens into tranquil, private retreats. By surrounding outdoor spaces with layers of verdant foliage, gardeners create a sense of serenity and connection to nature. Rather than relying on flowers for impact, this approach focuses on texture, depth, and varying shades of green. Vertical elements like vines, compact conifers, and low-maintenance evergreen shrubs form natural “green walls,” wrapping spaces in a soothing embrace.
1. CAST IRON PLANT 2. JURASSIC ™ STEGOSAURUS HOLLY FERN
3. CHESTNUT HILL CHERRY LAUREL 4. EMERALD BOXER ™ HOLLY
5. GREEN TOWER ® BOXWOOD 6. STAR JASMINE 7. EVERGREEN CLEMATIS
8. TECTONIC ® MAGMA BEGONIA
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Plant photos by Doreen Wynja, DoreenWynja.com and Brandon Friend-Solis
Illustrations by Lisa Nunamaker @PaperGardenWorkshop
Written by Emily Reeves
Front Cover: Seaside Serenade® Crystal Cove Hydangea By Doreen Wynja
Back Cover: Ice N’ Roses Rose Hellebore By Doreen Wynja