Current Gardening Trends

Landscaping is always changing, and there are many trends that come and go. According to Sunset Publishing Corporation, publisher of Sunset Midwestern Landscaping, some of the Midwest’s hottest landscaping trends include:

• Using native plants in the landscape including wildflowers and grasses is more prevalent. Most natives require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for busy homeowners.

• Use of exterior decorating is becoming popular; this includes utilizing lighting, color, art, and furnishings.

• Homeowners are eager to reduce chemical usage and are using more non-toxic alternatives.

• Gardeners are becoming more conscious about conserving water and are choosing drought tolerant plants for the landscape.

• Gardeners are planting more varieties of fruits and vegetables. Growing vegetables in containers for the space-limited gardener is very popular.

• Growing plants in containers offers tremendous flexibility and can be changed on an annual basis. Using tropicals is becoming extremely popular, and many of these can be over-wintered indoors.

• Gardeners are collecting seed and plants on travels and doing more shopping using the internet and catalogs for those rare and unusual plants.

• Casual planting style with formal elements has become increasingly popular.

Mary Kroening, Missouri Master Gardener Coordinator and UMC Horticulturalist, (573) 882-9633