It’s safe to say that 2024 is in full swing! We’ve hopped right into Spring, so it may seem a little late to start talking about landscaping and gardening trends for the year. But Spring is a time full of new growth and for many people that means it's time to #getplanting! Before you get your hands dirty in the garden this season, we wanted to dig into the growing themes we’re seeing in the industry. Now, keep in mind, you can plant whatever you want in your garden! However, understanding landscaping trends will help you predict what you’ll see in stores and guide you while making decisions for your space. These trends are meant to inspire, not stifle your creative green thumb!
This year, we’ve noticed customers are getting back in touch with nature… not working against it. People want to have a lush, beautiful garden that improves the planet. These are trends we can get behind! Let’s jump into the 4 themes we’re seeing this year:
Growing your own food
Obviously, this isn’t a new concept. People have been providing food for themselves since the beginning of time! In recent seasons we’ve noticed a rise of people starting vegetable gardens, buying citrus trees and fruiting bushes, and planting herbs to use in the kitchen. With the rising prices at the grocery store, who can blame them? The world isn’t slowing down and people are doing anything they can to unplug and get more, well, grounded. This Spring, consider adding a lemon or lime tree to your sunny patio for fragrant flowers and convenient fruit. Or, stop in and grab a terracotta trough and a few of your most used herbs! Or, if you’re interested in starting your own vegetable garden, check out our list of 10 vegetable gardening tips and tricks. No matter how you incorporate growing food into your garden, you’ll have a tasty reward!
Providing for pollinators
Who doesn’t love flowers in the garden?! One of the easiest ways to help your local bee population is planting more flowers. Think of your garden as a mini ecosystem in your backyard… the plants need to be pollinated! If this is something you want to implement in your garden this Spring, look for flowering perennials and “host” plants. Milkweed is our favorite host plant and we love watching monarch caterpillars much away on its leaves all season and form cocoons around the shop. Other popular perennials include: rudbeckia (black eyed susan), echinacea (coneflower), gaillardia
(blanket flower) and Monarda (bee balm.) To learn more about planting a pollinator garden and bee keeping, join us on May 1st for Beekeeping for Beginners with Lucy Davis!
Enhancing small spaces
If you read our post all about container gardening, you know we are fans of creating full and vibrant gardens in small spaces. Charleston is full of downtown courtyards and secrete gardens tucked behind jasmine covered walls. If you don’t have a traditional lawn or tons of land to work with, this one's for you! You can bring a touch of green to any space, no matter how small. Invest in hanging planters for your porch or incorporate potted plants on your patio. Break down the ideas of traditional landscaping beds and get creative with placement! If planting in your small yard seems too daunting let us help you! This year, we’re enhancing what you have and making choices that will work for your space.
Planting eco-friendly lawns
We're using this category to describe multiple landscaping trends we're seeing that are positive for the environment. Creating eco-friendly lawns is the future of landscaping! We don’t see many people ask for turf these days and some people are even taking it a step further with full no mow lawns! You’ve probably seen clover lawns and other alternative “grasses” on social media and these are all great options if you're looking to replace your traditional grass lawn. Other design options include cottage or prairie style gardens that lean more “free” and natural than your classic landscaping. These yards are full of native plants, ornamental grasses, perennials, and many other textured species and often broken up by stone pathways. You can also make your garden more eco friendly by utilizing technology like drip irrigation. When properly installed, this type of irrigation conserves water and helps keep plants happier. Other people are even opting for drought tolerant landscaping to conserve water. If you are into a desert style, consider this rocky look! No matter how you choose to garden this Spring, consider how your space impacts the planet!
One of the hardest parts of cultivating your garden is knowing and truly understanding your space. While you might be inclined to follow these trends or any other you see online, you have to know what grows well in your neighborhood. There are hundreds of factors that contribute to what will grow well in your garden! Everything from the area's local climate to where that oak tree is planted in your yard impacts how each plant will grow. What works well for your favorite Instagram influencer in Michigan may not work for you in the Lowcountry - hint… it probably won’t! We tell people to walk around your neighborhood, chat with neighbors and don’t be afraid to fail. Creating a thriving garden takes time and energy! Use these rising trends as a guide or simply inspiration this Spring and stop in to let us help you pick what works best for YOU!
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