Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022/2023

Lisa's Landscape & Design ♦ 03/06/2022 ♦ Leave a comment

One of the biggest gardening movements I’m seeing in the past few years is the drive for many of my clients to be more hands on. For years people have become conditioned to hiring out every landscape detail and the pandemic changed it all, but for the better.

Frankly, we were long overdue to be making our landscapes an extension of our homes and of ourselves and that’s more evident than ever.

Here are the Top 10 Landscape Trends for 2022 that reflect our current state of mind, improve our lives and resale value, and help save the planet one yard at a time. 

1) Create A Space for Relaxation or Meditation

This can be as easy as rock seating and the sounds of rustling leaves, grasses, wind chime or flowing water.

The truth is, water is an incredibly tranquil sound that’s not only therapeutic but sound absorbing in otherwise noisy areas. There are a myriad of portable and built in ponds and water features to choose from both locally and online. 

2) Edible Gardens

Grow food from ground cover to trees because raised beds aren’t the only place to plant food (Compost creates opportunities). Many of us hadn’t tasted a real tomato until we grew one. Here are just a few of the things you can grow in Central Texas. Edibles can include fruit, veggies, herbs, native plants and weeds. 

3) Loads of Color!

Below, this garden is filled with color and well over half of it is edible. In your view there is a fruiting pear, peach, plum, nectarine and pomegranate. Herbs are planted throughout and many of the plants have edible flowers, leaves or roots.

Introduce your favorite colors then compliment them with the opposite color on the color wheel. This narrows down the choices and allows you to create drama with minimal color.

Some may prefer a more subtle approach…

Above, a simple opposing color pallet with minimal planting, Below, bright colors balance the space.

 
The main point here, don’t be afraid of color. The arrays of color attract a variety of native bees, butterflies, and birds.

4) Bring The Inside, Outdoors

Rather you start with a small table and chair or bench or a whole seating area, small opportunities can affect our outlook on life and our space. 

5) Practice Sustainability 

Sustainable gardening with an emphasis on water reduction for a changing climate. Use the materials that are local and plants and trees that are native or adapted to your region and hardiness zone. 

Remove as much a grass as possible. If you’re in Central Texas as I am, there’s nothing sustainable about lawns. Reduce water use where you can, use only organic protocols and fertilizers and compost, compost, compost!

Treat your drainage problems as the opportunities they are and keep the water on your property and off the street. Impervious cover is a big problem in large cities like Austin so we can minimize our impact by using river rock or gravel in place of concrete. Many times the best solution is a healthy lawn/landscape balance.

This Modern Hill Country design is a beautiful compromise of grass and xeriscape with both feature and function. I designed the open step stones to allow water to stay in the space and the design is complimentary to the home. 

The property below began with a sweeping lawn and I transformed the space here to low water plants that need minimal care once established. 

6) Less Can Be More

Make the most of small spaces like patios and courtyards. They are all some of us have, so make the most of it with art, religious connections or whatever spiritual energy or colors take you to your happy place. 

My very first garden was on a 3 x 5 patio in half shade and half sun and you’d be impressed by how much you could do with so little. A plug in water feature, a few pots and a garage sale chair can go a long way.

The small background  below is a great compromise of lawn and Xeriscape with a veggie garden on the opposing side. 

This small but impactful space makes the most of the drainage problems and pulls the Hill Country theme together with the color and texture of hardy native plants. 

7) Privacy is a Privilege

One of the first point I make with clients is about privacy and tree canopy. Many of us have very limited space and a private space of our own can be very grounding. The objective is to have trees and plants of varying heights that create the illusion of more space while providing privacy for a more intimate feel. 

My design below demonstrates well how a tiered affect works well to create private space that doesn’t have to be a hedge row.  

Many folks may not have enough room for large shrubs or trees so thankfully there are also great solutions both online and at garden center for privacy from laser cut metal, to pots and umbrellas. 

Whatever you have to work with, make it your own. 

8) Gardening for Wildlife and Seasonal Interest

What we discovered when we slowed down a bit, was that there are millions of creatures beside us on this planet and many of the garden visitors are some of the best and most helpful company you’ll find. 

We are also spending more time in the yard so it needs to have interest all year long for us and the wildlife. 

Add a little seasonal color with annuals or include plants and trees that have fall color or berries in dormant months.

9) Organics Are What’s Up

This is covered in 1-10 because without one we cannot have another. Always choose organic fertilizers, pesticides, or treatments and opt for natural remedies whenever possible. The planet is counting on us and so is Lulu. 

10) Education!

Lucky for me, more people are back in their yards eager to learn the right way to create a sustainable, low water, low maintenance garden that provide therapy, food and privacy. There is a real desire to grow our own food, sit with nature and soften the corners of the world.

When we collectively know better, we can do better and if I can help you in hardiness zone 8, please reach out to me for a detailed Landscape Design or Educational Consultation at Lisalapaso@gmail.com!

Lisa LaPaso

Lisa’s Landscape and Design 

”Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”