Fruits that thrive in hot weather and now in the increasingly hot British summersand weeds such as cow parsley to decorate borders are among the 2024 garden trends predicted by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Climate collapse has affected most of the trends predicted by the horticultural charity, which seeks insights from its more than 600,000 members to predict which plants could be in fashion in the coming year. While its trend list used to be based solely on what flowers were in fashion, it now highlights the peculiarities of gardening in a changing climate amid collapsing biodiversity.
The forecasts are based on horticultural trends and gardener inquiries to the RHS team of horticultural advisors and pathology, entomology and botanical experts. This year brought the highest number of inquiries the RHS has ever received – 115,000 questions.
Recent hot, dry summers have influenced gardeners to try fruit that would normally have failed in the mild British weather. The RHS said recent years had been “ideal for certain fruits, vines being a prime example – but others include figs, almonds, apricots, melons, peaches/nectarines and watermelons”.
However, they said one of the effects of climate collapse was unpredictable and extreme weather, including heavier downpours, and that the more common UK-grown fruits, including blackberries, apples and pears, were struggling because they needed to be sustained. cold weather in winter to thrive. Garden designers at the RHS also noted “the recent boom in patio fruit varieties, with dwarf raspberries, blackberries and mulberries”.
Fruit and vegetable shortages last year caused by severe drought on the continent inspired gardeners to grow their own. The RHS said: “After the temporary hiatus in the vegetable supply chain last spring, some gardeners are now choosing to grow with more independence, including where they source their seeds. Localism plays a stronger role, with some horticultural gurus promoting the benefits of seed strains adapted to local climates.”
Gardening for wildlife remains a major concern for UK RHS members. While in the past gardening was sometimes a constant battle against so-called “pest” species, a more welcoming attitude blossomed after people became more aware of the biodiversity crisis. So much so that the RHS has stopped calling snails and slugs “pests”..
Inquiries to the RHS about wildlife gardening increased by more than 28% in 2023. Insect huts and water features are still growing trends, as is using less water in general, after the 2022 drought. There is more awareness of the devastating effects of harvesting peat for gardening, with gardeners experimenting with peat-free gardening and home composting.
Plants traditionally seen as weeds such as cow parsley, daisies and dandelions are celebrated for the boost they give to native pollinators, and people have created beautiful borders with these wildflowers.
Purple plants and planet-friendly gardening: the complete list of RHS trends for 2024
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Greening grey spaces Creative ways to green up gray urban spaces have become a major new trend as urban gardeners successfully grow in pots, grow instead of outdoors and use innovative ways to colonize indoor space, including terrariums.
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Grow your own The RHS gardening advice service and website continues to see growth in “grow your own”. The most popular plants are tomatoes, followed by cucumbers, courgettes, chillies and runner beans.
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Press power Purple vegetables have traditionally been difficult for the gardener, but now breeders have started to introduce purple varieties that are easier to grow than traditional ones and avoid previous disadvantages, such as non-fruitiness and limited purple color, especially after cooking. Gardeners and chefs can expect purple carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, peas, radishes, French beans and lettuce.
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Fruits of climate change Recent hot dry summers are ideal for certain fruits, vines are a prime example – but others include figs, almonds, apricots, melons, peaches/nectarines and watermelons.
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Local seed sources and survival gardens After the temporary hiccup in the vegetable supply chain last spring, some gardeners are now choosing to grow with more independence, including where they get their seeds.
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Go wild Plants traditionally seen as unwanted weeds such as herb robert and plantain are becoming popular. Cow parsley is now a desirable border plant and dandelions are recognized as key to providing food for bees in early spring.
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Gardening with nature The move away from classic, formal layouts to naturalistic landscapes will continue to grow, with gardens that make people feel like they are in a wild place and offer benefits for well-being, wildlife and ease of maintenance.
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Planet friendly gardening Gardeners will be increasingly in tune with nature: inquiries to the RHS about wildlife gardening increased by more than 28% in 2023.
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Houseplants reach the next level – Plants and orchids that create a tropical look that creates a “jungle atmosphere” have become popular, as well as growing up instead of out. Favorites will include epipremnum, sedum morganianumand old favorites like string hearts and spider plants.
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Succulent plants Driven by houseplants and the acquisition of drought-tolerant bedding, interest in succulents is increasing, with commercial landscapers introducing the hardy into landscapes. New cultivars are also released, including aeonium, cotyledon and crassula.
