What’s in: Eco-boosting
What’s out: Conspicuous Consumption
One simple way to be an eco-booster is to create natural habitats for wildlife with native plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies. Look for eco-friendly plants like the line of native plants from American Beauties or the Knock Out family of roses, which are drought- and disease-resistant, and require little care or chemicals. Go organic with peat-free soil from The Organic Mechanics Soil Company that supports sustainable practices and feeds plants from the soil up.
What’s in: Grow-it-Yourself (GIY)
What’s out: Having Someone Do it All For You
Tranquil moments may be few but the recent rise in gardening reconnects us with nature, family and friends as we share our bounty. With the increase in demand for year-round fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers markets are
seeing an upsurge in business, community gardens have waiting lists, and plant swaps are on the rise.
What’s in: Blended Gardens
What’s out: Segregated Gardens
Plant mint and fragrant thyme varietals in between cracks of stone pathways and grow strawberries for a delightful edible groundcover around trees. Fruit-bearing shrubs and trees provide color, privacy and fruitful bounty mingling among veggies and perennials. Garden centers are reporting an increase in demand for fruit-bearing shrubs like blueberries and raspberries as ornamentals.
What’s in: Locavore
What’s out: Big Carbon Footprint
Buying local is all the rage. Gardeners are aware of their role as naturalists and conservationists, and are looking for native plants that thrive in their own backyards. Native plant cultivars are selected to perform better in specific areas under local conditions from American Beauties Native Plants. When you select a plant that is native to the local area, it will thrive with little to no water, fertilizer or effort.
What’s in: Water
What’s out: Water
For the first time, water is in and out. Whether bringing in fountains, endless waterfalls, or fish ponds, the soothing sounds of water can turn any backyard into a private oasis. You may also choose plants that drink responsibly like succulents, cactus, yucca and ferns, which are easy, conserve water, and add sizzle to your landscape. Water features such as fountains are showing up not only in the garden but on tabletops, and sometimes more than one in the garden There are many classic and contemporary options that bring the sight and sound of water into gardens without a lot of fuss or maintenance.
What’s in: Outside Inside
What’s out: Outside Only
From bean sprouts on kitchen countertops to green walls laden with herbs and micro-greens, plants are decorating spaces as “art- in-motion.” Tropical plants like bromeliads and orchids create instant beauty and give a boost of oxygen and clean the air. It’s easy to expand your home’s boundaries and add indoor charm to your patio, deck and garden using great indoor plants like ferns and palms. And ornamentals continue to be fashionistas beautifying containers, landscapes, mixed or mass planted.
What’s in: Info Lust
What’s out: Lack of Knowledge
Lack of time and knowledge have been primary reasons people hesitate to garden. Not anymore. Novices and experienced gardeners hungry for inspiration, information, and instruction are packing master garden classes for instruction and gardening “how-to” tips. Gardeners are gobbling up information from friends, classes and workshops, local garden media, magazines, and the Internet and sharing their success stories with bloggers and friends.
What’s in: Quick and Simple
What’s out: Over-the-Top and Complicated
As time-starved consumers try to juggle busy schedules, most seek quick and simple solutions to meet their gardening needs. Containers are no longer a trend but a garden staple in large and small spaces.
Select natural materials like cast stone and terra cotta containers and accessories that are perfect eco-friendly accents. Big and bold is ‘in’ and square is the new round.
What’s in: Global Colors
What’s out: Safe Colors
The 2009 color forecasters predict a funky mix of colors that reflect a jambalaya of world cultures. Today’s main color influencers are our global connectivity, cultural unity, and environmental responsibility. Colors are bold, crazy, exaggerated, and in-your-face, almost like pop-art, and reflect a playful spirit in the face of world events.
Be uber-trendy with anything red this spring from the Carefree Spirit shrub rose and true red rhododendron “Trocadero” to tropical red Sun Parasol Crimson mandevilla.
What’s in: Worldly
What’s out: Cookie-Cutter
Americans have embraced the world bazaar of vibrant colors, textures, sights and sounds. Asian, African, Indian, and Mid-Eastern influences are showing up in patterns, textures and colors.