Here’s 5 garden design trend ideas to help transform your garden into a beautiful and useable outdoor space which doesn’t have to be daunting. With innovative garden design trends, you can create a stunning home that reflects your style.

If you’re looking to move house, it can also add value to your home, so it’s worth thinking about investing a bit of time and money to create kerb appeal and a back garden and/or balcony to relax in.

Here are five garden design trends that you might not have considered that can make a significant impact on how you use and enjoy your garden.

Vertical Gardens

Incorporating vertical gardens is a fantastic way to maximize space and add greenery to small outdoor areas. These gardens can be created using wall-mounted planters, trellises, or vertical garden kits. Vertical gardens not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space but also improve air quality and provide insulation. They are perfect for urban gardens, balconies, and patios where space is limited.

The most obvious place to start is using climbing plants such as Clematis, Honeysuckle and Roses. I’ve written a blog post about this and you can gain more information here – Climbing Plants Blog

Alternatively, if you’re not keen on climbing plants, try a ready-made wall and just add plants such as this one at Chelsea Flower Show which includes nasturtiums and violas.

or if you prefer something with less plants, try a wire frame and add summer brights such as geraniums in pots

It all depends on your style, time, skill, space and budget as to which option is best.  The ready-made wall will need to be assembled and fixed to the wall, so if you don’t have a drill, spirit level etc, it may mean the cost of getting it installed by an expert. Compared to a climbing plant, which simply needs a pot and a frame. Also consider a metered watering system for a vertical living wall to ensure the plants are hydrated and fed correctly.

Edible Landscaping

With gardens getting smaller, more people are including edibles in the same space as their flower garden. Thankfully, edible landscaping combines the beauty of traditional flowering plants with the functionality of edible plants.

Integrating fruits, vegetables, and herbs into your garden design can create a lush and productive garden. Consider planting colourful vegetables like rainbow chard, kale, chives or edible flowers such as nasturtiums and calendula which are easy to sow and grow from seed.

Add blueberries in a pot if you don’t have ericaceous soil – they’re a fabulous all-round plant as they’re bushy, have pretty blossom in spring, only grow to around 1m tall and have delicious fruits and beautiful autumn colour too.

This trend promotes wellbeing and allows you to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce right from your garden – such as these strawberries incorporated into a gravel garden with herbs and flowers.

or chard in a raised bed…

Wildlife-Friendly Gardens

With a huge decline in the number of butterflies and bees, its super important to build a garden that attracts and supports local wildlife. It’s a trend that benefits both your garden and the environment. Incorporating pollinator-friendly plants, water features like birdbaths or small ponds, and providing shelter with log piles or birdhouses can make your garden a haven for birds, insects, and other wildlife.

Its simple to do too – from sowing and growing a wildflower garden using a packet of wildflower seeds to ready-made borders and being less tidy in the autumn can all help. As well as not using chemicals in the garden such as weed killer.

Your garden doesn’t have to look like a roadside verge, you can still have a pretty garden without sacrificing the aesthetic look you like.

Use the Border in a Box Butterflies & Bees version which uses plants that are all endorsed by the RHS as pollinator friendly. Everything is worked out for you, simply take the shopping list with you to the garden centre and pick up the plants, and you can create a gorgeous garden border easily in less than a day.

*Top Tip* buy 9cm pots as this will help stretch your budget further, and the plants will soon grow.

Here’s the link for more information – https://borderinabox.com/product/butterflies-bees-ready-made-garden-border/

Zen Gardens

Zen gardens, inspired by traditional Japanese gardens, offer a tranquil and (usually) minimalist approach to garden design. These gardens typically feature elements such as gravel, rocks, and carefully pruned plants. The simplicity and balance of Zen gardens create a peaceful atmosphere, making them perfect for meditation and relaxation.

Colour palettes are soothing shades of green which supports the peaceful vibe. This Japanese garden at Chelsea Flower Show used gorgeous moss which is so tactile and verdant and is one of my favourite gardens.

Outdoor Living Rooms

Transforming your garden into an outdoor living room is a trend that has gained popularity. This concept involves creating a comfortable and functional space where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the outdoors. Key elements include cosy seating, outdoor rugs, lighting, and even weather-resistant furniture. Adding a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or pergola can enhance the comfort and usability of your outdoor living area.

This style goes really well with the vertical garden and edible landscaping – creating a kitchen garden next to the outdoor cooker and pizza oven is a beautiful combination. Cutting fresh herbs and salads for topping pizzas and mint mojitos ‘on-tap’ has really enhanced the traditional BBQ and not just outdoor entertaining but encouraging everyone to get outside after work too.

Such as this dining area surrounded by a gazebo – photo courtesy of Pip Probert

Or if you prefer a natural woodland style setting, this comfy seating area is next to the outdoor kitchen, which is the other side of the wall.

Conclusion

These five garden design trends can elevate any outdoor space, whether you have a small urban garden or a spacious estate. By incorporating vertical gardens, edible landscaping, wildlife-friendly features, Zen gardens, and outdoor living rooms, you can create a beautiful and functional garden that reflects your style and meets your needs whilst adding value to your home.