8 Garden Trends for 2022

The mercury has hit a balmy 17C and London is basking in glorious sunshine. Is this a mini-heatwave or has spring finally sprung? Either way, our legs have seen their first light of day since September 2021, so we’ve turned our attention to our beloved gardens.

It’s that time of year when we need to get our gardens in tip-top shape, ready for the increased footfall guaranteed to occupy the space in the coming months. That’s why, we’ve listed a number of garden trends we know will come into fruition in 2022. 

Spade, shovel and green garden waste bin at the ready, it’s time to transform your outside space. 

Overgrown and wild

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Following on from last year, the trend to have a wild garden, or the illusion of a wild garden, is still here. Having an overgrown flower bed, or deliberately placed plants that look overgrown or unkept, extends that desirable natural feeling. It’s also beneficial to have a healthy garden that attracts nature; a garden which is part of the ecosystem.

Choose a collection of wildflowers and ferns to kick start the wild garden look.  

Successional planting 

What’s successional planting? It’s the art of staggering plants for growth all year round. To ensure the garden looks great all year round, plant seasonally to ensure there’s always a blossoming focus. Worth keeping in mind, spring bulbs and early flowering plants, as well as grass, ferns and winter flourishers. 

Indoor-outdoor theme 

One of the main trends this year is to create a space for seamless interaction between the inside and outside. Minimising the transition between indoor and outdoor, naturally extends our living spaces. This can be achieved by adding natural and practical items to the garden – coloured glass ornaments, textiles and ceramics. Be sure to keep the materials used in the decking and flooring as simple as your indoor space. 

Naturalist styles 

Photo by Morgane Le Breton on Unsplash

Say goodbye to the lawn. The upkeep of grass can be time-consuming, which is why we’ve seen an increase in more landscaped gardens with large garden edges. Not only does this reduce the amount of time spent tidying the garden, but it’s great for wildlife and encouraging insects into the space. 

Blank canvas 

Neutral is key to gardens in 2022.  For hard landscaping make sure the palette is neutral, this encourages shaded areas to light up easier, and the focus to be on the plants themselves. Plants and floral features need to take centre stage, with bold outdoor materials no longer having a place in our gardens.

Grow your own

Photo by Dan Burton on Unsplash

Whether it’s in a greenhouse or a specified vegetable patch in the garden, growing your own fruit and veg has never been more topical. Since the pandemic, the idea of being self-sufficient has become increasingly popular. It’s not only great for the environment, but also for your health.  

The amount of space available for such an endeavour will dictate the number, and variety, of vegetables you can grow. Start off small; plant strawberry, tomato and a collection of herb seeds. If that goes well, venture into more exotic foods. Hello, butternut squash. 

Outdoor kitchen

Photo by Emile-Victor Portenart on Unsplash

As we’ve stated above, the merging of indoor and outdoor living is a must for 2022. This area is going to be a big player when summer arrives and outdoor entertaining comes to the fore. Make space in your garden for a kitchen area which boasts beautiful seating and a pedestal for the BBQ.

Think about adding something playful to this area; a dart board, built-in drinks cabinet, or hot tub, for example.

Stone walls 

Photo by Eric Prouzet on Unsplash

Continuing with the natural theme, stone walls are making a comeback. Stone walls can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, it really depends on your garden. Stone walls can create a stunning feature without deterring the floral escapades. You can be clever with it. Curves add a touch of fun and personality to your garden, whereas a stone clad wall with built-in seating can create more space for smaller gardens. 

The neutral nature of a stone wall provides a beautiful backdrop to similarly toned plants. They can also double up as a flowerbed – perfectly placed ferns and greenery can be planted into the sides of the wall, as well as, on top to create an immersive garden aesthetic. 

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