Happy New Year! As we start the year we do enjoy predicting what will be popular and looking at what trends gardeners are following. The most important thing is to grow what you love but it is always interesting to see how trends change over the years and if you’re struggling to know where to start it’s worth taking a look at what others are doing.

Here’s what’s on the up!

• Growing with climate change in mind. It might seem crazy to think about drought and heat with the weather we’re having currently but 2023 was the 2nd hottest on record for the UK. Drought tolerant and resilient plants are increasing in popularity.
• Gardening to increase biodiversity. We can all do our little bit by growing a wide variety of plants to attract wildlife and pollinators including wildflowers and “weeds”.
• Growing your own veg. Of course this is always a good idea! Good for our mental and physical health, and remember that supply chain problem in the supermarkets last year?
• Edimentals; plants that are both edible and ornamental. This word has become popular recently and was made up by Stephen Barstow who grows many edible plants in Norway.
• Flowers for drying. Everlasting flowers are more popular than ever. If it looks good in the garden and can continue to brighten up your home once dried, that’s a big, sustainable bonus!

Here are a few plants that fit into one or more of these categories, but for more please visit our latest news page.

Silphium mohrii
 

White Borage
 

Echinacea pallida
 

Anise
 

Craspedia globosa
 

Agastache aurantiaca, 'Navajo Sunset'

Blue Fenugreek
 

Helichrysum bracteatum, Salmon Rose