In today’s world where news travels at the click of a mouse and technology changes at the speed of now, people are finding balance and purpose tapping into the power of plants and cultivating a ‘new good life.'
Recent garden trends, unveiled at the FloraHolland Trade Fair and reported by the Garden Media Group, focused upon the benefits of plants as the 3 V’s: Vital, Vogue and Voyage. Plants are necessary for health (Vital); for their versatility and ability to elicit emotions (Vogue); and for their cross cultural influence (Voyage).
“Plants are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for our lives,” says Susan McCoy, trendspotter and outdoor living expert. “Plants can live without us, but we can’t live without plants.”
The power of plants. For a growing army of environmentally conscious Gen X and Y’s it’s part of a new lifestyle that includes recycling, re-purposing and upcycling, and blending old with new, to preserve and protect the earth’s resources.
Dr. Charlie Hall, holder of the Ellison Chair at Texas A & M, says, “Gen Y’s are embracing a connection with plants based on economics, environmental impact, health and wellness.” These rural and urban curators of culture are planting home and community gardens and renewing urban spaces, with an eye toward functionality and artistic design.
Why nature? According to Harvard professor Edward O. Wilson, we have an innate bond with living things and nature called biophilia.
McCoy agrees.”Studies prove that plants are more than just a pretty face,” she says. “From the power of healing to restoring neighborhoods, plants are vital for healthy, balanced lives.”
Here’s a glimpse of what McCoy and her team of Garden Media Group trend spotters see for gardening in 2012.
1. Urban-Knights. A growing army of ‘urban-knights’ are creating oases wherever they can find a patch of earth. They’re planting shrubs, flowers, edibles and pop-up gardens on balconies, in alley ways, and on street parklets – even in abandoned buildings and walk-in shipping containers.
At the recent Chelsea Flower Show in England the urban grit influence to protect the earth’s resources showcased gardens with wind turbines, and reclaimed materials, water saving plants, and vertical walls.
From yard sharing and raising chickens to ‘step gardening’ and harvesting rain water, urban knights are finding a ‘new good life’ by getting grounded with the earth.
2. Eco-scaping. From rocks in the garden to rocks in the living room, nature’s influence can be found both indoors and out. “Borders are blurring between indoors and out as nature becomes more important in our lives,” says Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, and president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (www.apld.org). “Many people want their gardens and their homes to be sanctuaries of tranquility, reflecting their ideal concept of nature.”
Beauty and sustainability are key. Liskey says that people want the “beauty and romance” of a garden with less work. “Gardeners want easy, low maintenance plants that give plenty of color.”
3. Occupy Local. People are “occupying” local farmers markets and joining CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) for fresh produce, plants and products.
“Farmers markets are our new backyard veggie gardens and are becoming our local grocery store,” says McCoy.
According to the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, sales of “locally produced food” reached $4.8 billion in 2008.They project that locally grown foods will generate $7 billion in sales dominated by fruit and veggies this year.
4. Mindful Consumption. According to the 2010 Cone Survey, 83% of consumers still want to see more brands, products, and companies that support worthy causes.“We’ve finally moved from “me” to “we” and consider our earth and each other when we purchase,” says McCoy.
5. Water-Watchers. “There is no single issue greater than water,” says Dr.Hall. Recent drought and regional water restrictions are causing us to grow plants, flowers and vegetables with less water.
Hydroponic gardening is hot, allowing people to grow plants year-round in nutrient rich solutions that actually uses less water.
6. In Living Color. Neon colors, pop art and color blocking are influencing fashion on the runways to fashion in the garden. From Tangerine Tango, the new Pantone color of the year, to deep purples and soothing greens, colors are all over the landscape. Rich, gem colors create your own personal piece of paradise.
7. Inner Gardening. Decorating our inner gardens with houseplants for better, healthier lives is now the new norm. These natural oxygen machines clean indoor air while bringing life to any room. Whether you want ferns, peace lilies or palms, bring nature in and green up your spaces for a better, healthier you. To learn more about the benefits of indoor houseplants check out www.O2forYou.org.
8. Techno-Gardening. With the rise of smart phone technology, QR-codes, apps and Groupon, living social is bringing power to the people and consumers into the buying experience, and making it easy for consumers to “get in on everything from flash sales to secret finds.” According to TrendWatching, ‘dealer chic’ is on the rise where securing the best deal is not just accepted, it’s admired.
9. Seedlings. From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are learning how to grow their own food and take care of the planet.
McCoy says we’ve ignored two generations of gardeners and need to get kids back to having fun growing things. She says the popularity of fairy gardens is ideal for kids and the young at heart to share the whimsical world of plants and appreciate the joy of gardening.
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