Big gardening trends for 2023, according to the RHS

Flourishing houseplants, wildlife habitats and technology are among the gardening trends set to flourish in the UK in 2023, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has predicted. www.housebeautiful.com/uk

The annual predictions, based on horticultural trends and gardener enquiries in the UK, focus on Eco-friendly gardening. According to the RHS, 2023 will see keen gardener enthusiasts opt for innovative sustainable techniques, encourage more wildlife into their gardens and be very conscious about water use and capture following a summer of droughts.

Regenerative gardening

Creating the right habitat for wildlife to find shelter and food is key, but for 2023, the RHS predicts more gardeners will seek out environmentally friendly wood-based compost alternatives. With peat-based bagged compost not being favoured anymore many gardeners will turn to seaweed and biochar feeds instead.

Gardening goes technical

Gardening will go digital in 2023, with the RHS predicting that horticultural enthusiasts will be sharing online what’s happening in their gardens, participating in virtual courses, and planning and planting using phone apps. To help households click correctly, the RHS has announced it will be expanding its range of digital services in 2023, building on the popularity of the RHS ‘The Garden App’.

Herb gardens

Fresh, garden-grown herbs are an absolute must for any kitchen gardener. According to the RHS, searches for herbs were up almost 600% in Autumn 2022, compared to 2021, with sought-after varieties including classics such as mint and coriander. Herbs are a cheap and easy way for people to add extra flavour to meals. Most herbs are easy to grow from seed, providing another cost saving, and can be sown indoors from March-April and outside from April-August. Many culinary herbs are hardy and perennial and will improve year on year.

Climate-resilient gardens

Following the possibility of many more heat and drought summers, gardeners will be looking for ways to future-proof their spaces for a more extreme climate,’ the RHS predicts. Gravel gardens and xeriscaping (gardens designed to minimise future watering) will be popular.

Changing lawns

Lawns are big on the agenda for 2023, with gardeners expected to let borders grow long for pollinators. A tightly clipped, weed-free lawn isn’t particularly wildlife-friendly, which is why a big trend for 2023 is ‘tapestry lawns’. Easy to try, this is made up of low-lying, intertwining flowering plants such as yarrow and selfheal and mini wildflower meadows with native plants like yellow rattle and cornflower.

Some more emerging Garden trends for 2023

Each year, Garden Centres in the UK witness the latest trends unfold, so as they prepare for the new season in 2023, they take a look at how customers are and can use their garden space and embrace the trends that look set to take over the outdoors this year. https://britishgardencentres.com/blog/ emerging-garden-trends-for-2023/

Sustainability

With consumers becoming more empowered and eco-aware, it is expected to see more natural and recyclable products in gardens as gardeners are looking at reducing their carbon footprint.

The Garden Centres expect to see more plant pots made from recyclable materials such as ocean plastic, recyclable rubber and reclaimed waste on patios, balconies and gardens across the country. Solar-powered lights and water features, as well as cost-saving LEDs, will be favoured to light up the outdoor spaces after dark.

Following the unprecedentedly hot summer last year, it is thought that more warm weather can also be expected in 2023. The threat of a dry gardening season and lack of rain leaves gardeners in a watering predicament of when to water, and what to plant. Products designed to capture and water plants will be very popular including watering cans, buckets, or rainwater water butts will become a daily commodity as gardeners will want to prevent wasting water and help plants thrive during the hot spells.

Grow your own

Cost-saving planting will increase as household bills increase, so it is expected to see more people growing their own food in their gardens. Whether it be alpine strawberries or fresh herbs, whole summer salads or root vegetables and fruit, being selfsufficient 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, and can be a fun, healthy and rewarding hobby for customers.

Outdoor living

There will be a strong focus on outdoor living and relaxation with space to entertain friends 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 may also see dining al-fresco become more and more popular with outdoor kitchens accompanying garden furnishings.

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

Houseplants

Houseplants are extremely popular both as a hobby and as interior décor as they are renowned for adding texture to your customers home space and can even improve their health. Biophilic design, which is all about incorporating nature into homes through design, will continue to thrive as it has shown that it can make us healthier and more productive. Houseplants with attractive foliage will continue to trend like Calatheas for example for their many different shapes and colours. With customers now looking for something new, there are 100`s to choose from to suit any room or taste.

Oversized houseplants are due to make a statement in the home in 2023. Monstera or the Swiss Cheese Plant and palms will adorn dark corners of rooms, whilst cacti and succulents will continue to thrive with novice gardeners and will remain popular and are easiest to grow.