Gardener State: Trending now — #Gardening

So, what’s new in your neck of the woods, or more specifically in your raised bed corner of the Garden State?  From color-changing conifers to smaller-sized luxury looks, gardens can offer a much needed “wow factor” to homeowners and passersby, even those who seeming kill everything they plant.

According to American Nurseryman, www.amerinursery.com, luxury garden elements that come in smaller packages, “floratourism” and the no-waste food movement’s influence on the garden are all top gardening trends for 2017.

“2017 will be a year of surprising contradictions,” says Jonathan Pedersen, plant development director at Monrovia, www.monrovia.com, a commercial grower based in California. “Humble backyard edible gardens and no-fuss plants have never been so popular. At the same time, there’s an increased level of sophistication in landscape design and a rising interest in unique plants with an emphasis on rich, saturated color and a sense of luxury.”

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Pedersen said, “This year’s trends are also breaking out of the garden, in a way. Globally, ‘floratourism’ is at an all-time high as travelers seek a respite in a stressful world. We’re also seeing the issues of food security and climate change impact what and how home gardeners garden.”

These two nursery industry leaders shared their top nine trends for gardeners in 2017:

Smaller-sized luxury

As lot sizes shrink but the desire for the luxurious, traditional estate look grows, gardeners will snap up, in record numbers, a slew of new-to-the-market, improved, scaled-down versions of iconic plants such as hydrangeas, roses, berries, conifers and clematis. These easy-care plants are part of a larger “back to basics with a twist” trend — container gardening.

Floratourism

Longwood Gardens and New York’s High Line are just the tip of the iceberg. Millennials may have grown up tethered to technology, but as a generation, they’re reversing a decade-long trend by choosing nature as their recreational playground. 

Backyard gardening influenced by 'no waste' food movement

With about one in three households now growing food, home gardeners are poised to be a critical part of the solution to the urgent social and environmental issues of food waste, and the associated impacts on food security, food transport miles, wasted water and depletion of arable land.

Color chameleons

Gardeners are seeking more seasonal change in their landscape, even from plants previously prized for consistent year-round beauty. Conifers that morph from shades of summery green to a rainbow of hues in winter are leading the charge, selling out of nurseries nationwide.

Extreme naturalism

In past years, gardeners have either embraced meadow-filled, freeform, wild gardens or, alternately, landscapes dominated by hard textures and right angles. In 2017, expect to see “extreme naturalism” with gardens that merge these aesthetics by introducing statement-making natural elements such as rocks, boulders and beautifully untouched hedges that impose a more integrated sense of structure.

Climate adaptation

Interest in the possible effects of climate change on our landscapes has accelerated, rapidly leading to a surge in consumer demand for beautiful landscapes that also save water. Look for ramping-up of rainwater and greywater harvesting systems and more efficient irrigation and more drought or heat tolerant choices in plant selection.

Bright, bold colors

Even as more consumers look to their gardens for a respite from a stressful world, they’re turning to celebratory color for the sense of vitality it brings, which is a major change from the popularity of last year’s tranquil pinks and blues. While serene hues are not going anywhere, colors such as brilliant oranges, feverish reds, neon yellows, and bicolored versions are in great demand.

One-pot wonders

Large pots filled with a single impressive statement plant are also on trend for 2017. This aesthetic is easier to achieve thanks low maintenance, reblooming, compact, or container-loving varieties of some long-standing garden and landscape favorites.

Tough and tender mixes

Talk about a return to old-school romance! In 2017, gardeners who spent the last decade loading up on “easy care,” bullet-proof plants will make room for more delicate specimens that fill space with heirloom charm, color and fragrance.

Born to be beautiful — Jersey Grown style!

Based on the Jersey Fresh program, Jersey Grown is New Jersey’s brand for locally grown plants, trees, shrubs, annuals and flowers, making these plants more visible to consumers. A Jersey Grown label certifies the item is grown in New Jersey so it is accustomed to the state’s soil and growing conditions and is disease and pest-free.  

When shopping at an area garden center or nursery, look for the Jersey Grown label on the plant’s tag or on a sign among the plants.  Ask the garden center or nursery for Jersey Grown products, plants, firewood, Christmas trees, and more, http://jerseygrown.nj.gov/.   

Nicholas Polanin is associate professor, agricultural agent II, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension of Somerset County. Email him at polanin@njaes.rutgers.edu.​

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