The garden trends for 2017 have been revealed, and all of the experts agree, the definition of “garden” is definitely changing! The big lawn with perennial beds are officially behind us and homeowners are demanding more from their outdoor spaces. Here are the new and unusual trends to watch for in the year ahead.
For more great ideas from HGTV.ca’s gardening guru, visit carsonarthur.com.
Farm-to-Table Backyards
Growing food continues to drive gardeners to embrace vegetables in their outdoor spaces. Whether in containers on the balcony or dinosaur kale among the flowers, growing what you eat and eating what you grow has officially landed in our backyards. Urban farmers are trying new foods from near and far, increasing our food diversity beyond what we can find at the grocery store.
Farm-to-Table Backyards
Multiple raised vegetable boxes give this garden a labyrinth-like feel.
Holistic Spaces
Increased awareness of what we put into our spaces is driving a movement towards more natural items being used. Think “yoga studio in the jungle” when trying to picture these spaces. Homeowners seek to create spaces that they can disappear into, where they can feel at one with nature. Look for unconventional bird feeders and wind mobiles in these spaces.
Holistic Spaces
Even something as simple as a hammock tucked among the flowers can foster a serene, holistic scene in your garden.
Outdoor Luxury
Gen X continues to invest money into their backyards, filling them with high-ticket items like pools, tennis courts, and large gazebos for family gatherings. These expensive makeovers are replacing the need for the second home or cottage. At the end of the workweek, Gen X plans on coming home and enjoying a “staycation” in their own backyard oasis.
Outdoor Luxury
A gorgeous gazebo is the perfect meeting spot for a weekend gathering with friends.
Outdoor Luxury
With a fire pit in your backyard, friends will gather like moths to a flame!
Colour-Blocked Gardens
The colour block trend is taking a big step forward in our yards. Whether it’s using one colour group of plants or actually painting the surrounding fence and walls, adding bright solid sections of colour in the yard is replicating the indoor trend. Homeowners who are gravitating towards these pops of colour say they find their yards “more joyful” and “full of positive energy.”
Colour-Blocked Gardens
An easy entryway into the trend is with a brightly painted door, or outdoor furniture.
Prairie Gardens
The large lawn continues to fall under attack with homeowners seeking to save pollinators, butterflies and birds. Look for meadows and wildflowers to take over front yards in both urban and suburban spaces. While some neighbours may consider this design style messy, the prairie garden looks its best when it’s completely random. Don’t be fooled though. This random look takes a few years of weeding to really get right.
Prairie Gardens
These gorgeous, lush, wild gardens are a welcome reprieve from the structured flower beds of yesteryear.
Fun for the Whole Family
As a response to the growing desire to cut down on screen time and get kids outdoors, backyards are becoming centres of activity. Parents are trying to reconnect with their children by getting them outside, playing games and being active. Items like bocce pits, badminton nets and mini sports courts are on the radar for savvy designers.
Moving Gardens
No longer trapped against the fence and down the sides of the yard, gardens are moving in our outdoor spaces. Homeowners are growing vegetables in the front yard, in vacant urban lots, and even vertical spaces on the balcony. Gardens are bigger and better than ever in 2017.
Moving Gardens
This is the year to abandon everything you thought you knew about gardens and backyards, and embrace the new and unusual trends of 2017. For more great gardening tips and inspiring ideas, visit carsonarthur.com.
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