Garden trends 2022 revealed: key looks and ideas for your garden Image credit: SGD/ Garden by Oliver Bond MSGD, Bond Landscapes We’ve had our first taste of sunshine already this year, filling us with hope of a great summer ahead. In recent years our gardens have become more important than ever, with more of us taking up gardening for wellbeing and sustainability. With the sunshine there’s the promise of plenty of time spent outdoors for the months ahead. Be prepared to enjoy that time in style as our experts, across all fields of garden expertise, share their predictions on the hottest new garden trends for 2022. Make the most of your garden this year – whether you want to grow your own vegetables, dine alfresco or enjoy the many health and wellness benefits of spending time in the great outdoors. Garden trends 2022 Gardens mean something different to everyone, because no outdoor space is the same. For some it’s a sanctuary to spend long balmy summer days relaxing, while others prefer pottering, planting and pruning at all times. To families it’s a place for dining alfresco and spend evenings round your best buy firepit. Whichever appeals to you it’s the same principle – our gardens are a space for fun, relaxation and enjoyment. Our vision for gardens of 2022 is all about getting the most from our outdoor spaces. ‘The overarching trend for 2022 is that good design does not have to cost the earth both in terms of budget and the environment’ says Society of Garden Designers Vice Chair Andrew Duff MSGD. ‘In 2022 we will see gardens with a strong underlying structure which allows for a wilder planting scheme. Although native planting will be at the forefront, the actual layout of the planting will follow those large drifts of contrasting colours and textures.’ ‘We will be looking more to nature for inspiration, learning to embrace the seasons and celebrate them more. Winter gardens will be particularly dominant with designers embracing the simplicity of the skeletal shape of deciduous trees and the bareness of soil awaiting the wonders of spring.’ So without further ado, here we reveal the latest garden trends to inspire our outdoor spaces… 1. Wild gardens Image credit: Society of Garden Designers/ Garden by Anna-Marie Powell MSGD ‘I’d say that the trend for this year is the immersive, natural, wildlife garden and, to be honest, this thrills me to the core!” says designer, broadcaster and author Ann-Marie Powell MSGD. She says her studio is receiving lots more enquiries from clients wanting natural, loose gardens. ‘People want gardens that look like they are ‘of nature’ rather than the more obviously designed spaces.’ Anne-Marie predicts that ’nature-scaping’ and ‘curated wildling’ will be the buzz words of 2022. This theory is echoed by Ana Sanchez-Martin MSGD of The Garden Company who says, ‘I am hoping that more and more people will be jumping on the ‘Rewilding wagon’! One of the positive effects of the pandemic is that people now understand the therapeutic effects of gardening. They want to create a sense of sanctuary in their garden, to be surrounded by plants and to be enveloped by nature and to increase biodiversity.’ Wyevale Garden Centres’ senior buying team, combined with survey data from more than 27,000 British gardeners, identified wildlife garden ideas as a growing garden trend. ‘From environmentally conscious shoppers, to wildlife and the weather, today’s gardeners are much more aware of the changes that can be made towards a more sustainable future,’ explains Mark Sage, Head of Horticulture from Wyevale. ‘Nearly 70 per cent of British gardeners buy food for wildlife in their garden. Over 60 per cent make a conscious effort to grow plants that benefit wildlife. 2. Mantra for reuse, recycle and repurpose Image credit: Future PLC ‘Recycling and up-cycling is a trend that is set to continue into 2022. Sustainability, whilst not new, is increasingly important not only to us, but to our clients too,’ say Ann-Marie Powell who is escalating the use of repurposed materials by crushing them, for paths, terraces or driveways. Ann-marie is also championing more sustainable garden ideas path in hard landscaping by using less cement in the garden, and selecting materials that have the lowest carbon footprint. Image credit: Society of Garden Designers/ Garden by Ana Sanchez-Martin MSGD A fast growing garden trend right now is anything sustainable – including upcycling ideas. I love upcycling existing elements within a garden rather than adding to landfill, says Ana Sanchez-Martin. ‘Last year I managed to save a beautiful old Victorian greenhouse (above) working with a wonderful craftsman who helped me repurpose it and give it a new lease of life. It was a labour of love to clean and restore the old cast iron and design and make new fittings for it, but the result was beautiful to the eye and kind to nature.’ Jilayne Rickards agrees saying: ‘Using pre-owned furniture or ornamentation gives a garden automatic character and, even within a contemporary setting, something aged acting as a counterbalance is wonderful to see.’ 3. Using the garden as the fifth room Image credit: Future PLC/ Rei Moon Blurring the lines between outside and in is still a huge growing trend, as homeowners look to expend living spaces. Whether that’s creating a kitchen garden, a wellness space or acting as an extension to a playroom – we’re looking to extend our lives to our outdoor spaces. Gardens are fast becoming a space where we are spending more and more of our time with family and friends. Often more than not it needs to flex to meet several purposes – an oasis for quiet contemplation, a play area for children and an entertaining space for social get togethers. Whether it’s a set of Bi-fold doors to a balcony, or simply an outdoor patio, your home probably has an ideal place to style as a fifth room. With a little imagination there’s an outdoor living room idea for all spaces. ‘I aim to incorporate ‘interior’ elements into my designs,…

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