Inspiring Garden Trends for Summer
From architectural plant shapes sure to enchant green thumbs to extending your home into your garden, here are five inspiring gardening themes for summer 2021.
19/10/2021
Over the past year, people have found such solace in their gardens that one of the biggest trends in gardening has become gardening itself. As a result, fascinating new trends are blooming in the outdoor space.
Establishing a fruit and vegetable garden to grow your own produce is very rewarding and good for the soul!
Container gardening
Container gardening is more fashionable than ever because anyone with any sized space can do it, says Alen Ribic, Co-founder of SweepSouth, whose outdoor service provides pre-vetted, trusted gardeners to help with all outdoor activities, from gardening to pool- and patio cleaning. Be creative in the container you choose: almost anything can work as long as it has drainage holes in the bottom. Plus you can experiment with container combinations, such as flowers with vegetables or a small tree with groundcover that will trail over the edges of the container.
Pepperomia are beautiful plants for indoors and come in a variety of species, all of which thrive in a medium-light setting.
Unusual house plants
Indoor house plants have been a trend for a while, but the coming year will see us ramping up our indoor plant collections with sculptural and exotic-style pot plants. Apart from their green aesthetic and ability to make a space instantly feel more liveable, indoor plants are also known for their therapeutic effects, with studies showing that they lower stress levels. Some house plants also have fantastic air-cleansing benefits, purifying the air we breathe of harmful toxins.
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Succulents are beautiful both indoors and outdoors. Grow them in a sunny spot and when they get too big, transplant them into outdoor containers in a sunny spot on the garden.
The appeal of architectural and unusual-shaped indoor plants will also be translated outside, with plants that make a bold statement tipped to rise in popularity this summer, says Alen. Hanging plants will also make more of a splash indoors and out, with the usual flower displays replaced by quirky arrangements of foliage in varying colours and textures.
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Clever lawn design
Reduced lawn areas are gaining in popularity, especially in areas with water restrictions and you can make use of many materials outdoors in the garden such as concrete slabs or paving tiles, meandering garden paths and walkways, gravel, as well as decking. These are all options to consider, but some caution is advised here. While grass-free, no-mow areas may have low-maintenance appeal, the general landscaping rule dictates that the hard landscaping of a garden shouldn’t be more than one-third of the overall garden area.
Incorporating a variety of landscaping materials in a garden add colour, interest and a unique design that suits your needs.
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Paved and artificial surfaces reduce the possibility of water infiltrating the soil and recharging groundwater, warns Dr Kevin Winter of UCTʼs Future Water Institute and Water Task Team. Instead, grow green in water-sensitive ways, and reduce the areas that need planting with clever garden design, such as large flagstones laid in random patterns, with gravel and step-on ground cover planted in between.
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Create flow from the inside to your outdoor space
Recent years saw a decor trend of bringing the outdoors in, with a more natural feeling created in the home through the use of houseplants and botanically inspired decor. Summer 2022 sees a reversal of this trend, with a natural flow from the inside out -- extending our living areas out into the garden.
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Treat the outdoor space just like you would your indoor spaces. This will create a harmonious link and seamless flow between indoors and outdoors. Think seating area with comfortable sofas with colourful plain or patterned cushions and outdoor furniture that complements the design used in the setting, says Alen. “Style your outdoor areas with weather-proof furniture that looks like the real thing but is made from durable synthetic material, and add all-weather cushions and rugs. And as a decorative feature, group together outdoor sculptures and hurricane lanterns.”
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The Mediterranean look is big for summer and is easy to achieve both indoors and out: think sun-bleached wood, potted trees, and chalky greys and earthy tones, interspersed with pops of vibrant blue and sun-drenched, deep yellows.
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Sustainable gardening
Not a new trend but one growing in popularity, people are increasingly looking to make their gardens more environmentally friendly, says Alen. Say no to toxic chemicals and use organic, ecologically-sound methods to deal with pests and weeds, and learn how to make compost from your green waste.
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With water shortages becoming more of a reality in South Africa, water conservation is paramount. Every garden, small or large, should incorporate a selection of drought-resistant plants, and let us not forget about indigenous flora that is ideally suited to our local climate and the rainfall, and climate in a particular region, advises Alen. Every home should be looking at how to harvest rainwater in whatever way we can, even if you don’t have rainwater storage tanks. Make use of any receptacle, such as old drums or barrels or even an old dustbin to catch water when it rains.
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“Placing a layer of mulch over beds and borders, as well as around trees and shrubs is increasingly important, as this aids in regulating the soil temperature, retaining moisture in beds and borders and also to prevent soil erosion,” he says. “Make the decision to only use organic, biodegradable materials like fallen leaves, grass clippings and bark chips as these will not only keep the soil cooler in hot weather, but will also eventually decompose to become part of the soil.”
Sustainable gardening is not only beneficial for you and your family, but it is also therapeutic.
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Gardening as therapy
Avid gardeners have long known that gardening can help you find a sense of calm, with studies showing its benefits include reducing anxiety and depression, lowering cortisol levels and improving focus and attention. With the world feeling so unsettled right now, new gardeners are discovering the therapeutic power of gardening, and the joy that is derived from nurturing plants. Seasoned gardeners are also putting their green-thumbed skills to use, and having fun experimenting with new products and techniques.
By establishing a beautiful garden you have one that also add to the overall atmosphere and even more to your enjoyment of the garden. Gardening connects you to the beauty of nature and, gratifyingly, is living proof of all the love, care and effort you put into it. In the words of poet Alfred Austin: “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”