9 of the Biggest Garden Trends for 2025
Discover the gardening trends set to take over this summer
Ready to get back out into the garden? Take a look at these trend predictions from our panel of experts to see how we might all be using and enjoying our outdoor spaces this year. From wild landscaping and ‘sponge gardening’ to smart front garden design, these trends all share an ecological focus and a move towards mindfulness.
Read on to find out what garden professionals on Houzz are forecasting for the year ahead.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Jane Ashley of Jane Ashley Garden Design; Guy Barter, RHS Chief Horticulturist
Read on to find out what garden professionals on Houzz are forecasting for the year ahead.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Jane Ashley of Jane Ashley Garden Design; Guy Barter, RHS Chief Horticulturist
2. ‘Sponge’ gardening
Gardens that absorb rainwater – much like a sponge – can play an important role in mitigating the risk of flooding, and this is something increasingly being considered in garden design.
“We expect rain to fall in intense storm events more frequently under climate change,” Guy Barter says. Gardens that can absorb water can help to minimise the flood risk of these events.
“Creating permeable landscapes has become an increasingly important factor,” Jane says. “In future, I expect this to develop further, with more use of ‘rain gardens’. These slightly sunken pits to which rainwater is routed are filled with plants that cope with both wet and dry conditions. Designed to act as a holding area for water after heavy rain, they allow it to gradually filter into the ground.”
More: How to Design a Garden to Cope with Flood and Drought Conditions
Gardens that absorb rainwater – much like a sponge – can play an important role in mitigating the risk of flooding, and this is something increasingly being considered in garden design.
“We expect rain to fall in intense storm events more frequently under climate change,” Guy Barter says. Gardens that can absorb water can help to minimise the flood risk of these events.
“Creating permeable landscapes has become an increasingly important factor,” Jane says. “In future, I expect this to develop further, with more use of ‘rain gardens’. These slightly sunken pits to which rainwater is routed are filled with plants that cope with both wet and dry conditions. Designed to act as a holding area for water after heavy rain, they allow it to gradually filter into the ground.”
More: How to Design a Garden to Cope with Flood and Drought Conditions
3. Flexible front gardens
With the rapid rise in electric car ownership, many homeowners are looking for ways to add parking and charging spots for cars on driveways and in front gardens, which is impacting the way they’re designed.
“People want to get as much as possible from their front gardens, both in terms of attractiveness and functional benefits,” Jane says. “When front gardens are redesigned, the installation of electric charging is becoming the norm, provided there’s enough space for a car. Electric charging is pushing more people to want to create a parking space, even when previously they were happy to park on the road.”
“While paving is often vital for practical reasons, there are usually opportunities for some permeable areas and plants [too],” Guy says. Finding a way to include both parking and planting is the challenge many designers are facing.
With the rapid rise in electric car ownership, many homeowners are looking for ways to add parking and charging spots for cars on driveways and in front gardens, which is impacting the way they’re designed.
“People want to get as much as possible from their front gardens, both in terms of attractiveness and functional benefits,” Jane says. “When front gardens are redesigned, the installation of electric charging is becoming the norm, provided there’s enough space for a car. Electric charging is pushing more people to want to create a parking space, even when previously they were happy to park on the road.”
“While paving is often vital for practical reasons, there are usually opportunities for some permeable areas and plants [too],” Guy says. Finding a way to include both parking and planting is the challenge many designers are facing.
4. Slow gardening
Claudia predicts a rise in the trend of ‘slow gardening’, which she describes as “a mindful approach that emphasises wellness and a connection with nature”.
“Engaging all five senses is known to reduce stress and this movement encourages gardeners to embrace the natural rhythms of the seasons, appreciating the process of growth as much as the outcome,” she says.
“This method promotes wellbeing by reducing stress and encouraging time spent outdoors, and has proven mental and physical health benefits,” she continues. “Slow gardening allows individuals to cultivate not just plants, but also a sense of mindfulness and inner peace.”
Find reviewed landscape architects and garden designers on Houzz.
Claudia predicts a rise in the trend of ‘slow gardening’, which she describes as “a mindful approach that emphasises wellness and a connection with nature”.
“Engaging all five senses is known to reduce stress and this movement encourages gardeners to embrace the natural rhythms of the seasons, appreciating the process of growth as much as the outcome,” she says.
“This method promotes wellbeing by reducing stress and encouraging time spent outdoors, and has proven mental and physical health benefits,” she continues. “Slow gardening allows individuals to cultivate not just plants, but also a sense of mindfulness and inner peace.”
Find reviewed landscape architects and garden designers on Houzz.
5. Gardens as wildlife corridors
Peter Reader predicts a growing interest in the use of gardens as wildlife corridors, connecting up individual spaces and increasing their environmental benefit.
“People [are] starting to see their gardens as a collective resource for nature,” he says. “Ecologically [focused] gardens over a wider area can deliver larger supportive territories that help wildlife flourish, and also provide safe corridors for nature to travel between different essential resources, such as nesting sites, water and food.
“At its most simple, this can be cutting hedgehog access holes in fences,” Peter says, “but at the more complex level, some neighbourhoods are planning planting across multiple gardens, ensuring things such as cohesive tree cover or multiple wildlife ‘food plants’.”
Peter Reader predicts a growing interest in the use of gardens as wildlife corridors, connecting up individual spaces and increasing their environmental benefit.
“People [are] starting to see their gardens as a collective resource for nature,” he says. “Ecologically [focused] gardens over a wider area can deliver larger supportive territories that help wildlife flourish, and also provide safe corridors for nature to travel between different essential resources, such as nesting sites, water and food.
“At its most simple, this can be cutting hedgehog access holes in fences,” Peter says, “but at the more complex level, some neighbourhoods are planning planting across multiple gardens, ensuring things such as cohesive tree cover or multiple wildlife ‘food plants’.”
6. Greenhouses as outdoor rooms
If you long for a greenhouse, you’re not alone. But these practical outdoor spaces are becoming much more than just a place to nurture plants, with a rising trend seeing them being used as outdoor rooms.
“There’s a definite shift towards greenhouses becoming multi-functional,” Claudia says. “They’re evolving into versatile spaces that double as stylish entertaining rooms, providing a unique setting for dining, social gatherings and relaxation surrounded by lush greenery.
“With the right design, greenhouses can blend productivity and leisure, allowing for the growing of fruit, vegetables and flowers along with a place to enjoy socialising,” she says, ”offering another ‘outdoor’ room as an extension of the home.”
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
If you long for a greenhouse, you’re not alone. But these practical outdoor spaces are becoming much more than just a place to nurture plants, with a rising trend seeing them being used as outdoor rooms.
“There’s a definite shift towards greenhouses becoming multi-functional,” Claudia says. “They’re evolving into versatile spaces that double as stylish entertaining rooms, providing a unique setting for dining, social gatherings and relaxation surrounded by lush greenery.
“With the right design, greenhouses can blend productivity and leisure, allowing for the growing of fruit, vegetables and flowers along with a place to enjoy socialising,” she says, ”offering another ‘outdoor’ room as an extension of the home.”
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
7. Prioritising soil health
All our experts agree on the importance of soil health, and nurturing this is a trend that will continue to spread.
“There’s a growing awareness of the importance of soil heath to sustaining healthy plants,” Jane says. “This greater understanding and appreciation of how to promote soil health is a boon for all forms of gardening.”
“Good soil is fundamental for supporting plant growth by providing essential nutrients, retaining moisture and fostering beneficial micro-organisms,” Claudia says. “There’s a definite movement towards regenerative practices.”
“Looking after the soil organically, rather than filling it with chemicals, is very important,” Peter says. “In fact, soil is a crucial wildlife habitat in itself.”
More: What is Regenerative Gardening?
All our experts agree on the importance of soil health, and nurturing this is a trend that will continue to spread.
“There’s a growing awareness of the importance of soil heath to sustaining healthy plants,” Jane says. “This greater understanding and appreciation of how to promote soil health is a boon for all forms of gardening.”
“Good soil is fundamental for supporting plant growth by providing essential nutrients, retaining moisture and fostering beneficial micro-organisms,” Claudia says. “There’s a definite movement towards regenerative practices.”
“Looking after the soil organically, rather than filling it with chemicals, is very important,” Peter says. “In fact, soil is a crucial wildlife habitat in itself.”
More: What is Regenerative Gardening?
8. Plastic reduction
Jane predicts an increase in awareness around the use of plastic in gardens.
“I’m pleased to say that the move towards recycling plastic pots is, at last, starting to take off, driven at least in part by concern among gardeners about the use of plastic,” she says. “More and more nurseries are now either using pots that can easily be recycled (generally only those that aren’t black) or have in-store recycling schemes.
“There’s also growing interest among gardeners in buying ‘bare root’ plants, which are supplied without pots, or buying very young plants that come in smaller pots and therefore use less plastic,” she says. “As more suppliers facilitate this, I expect this welcome change to accelerate.”
Jane predicts an increase in awareness around the use of plastic in gardens.
“I’m pleased to say that the move towards recycling plastic pots is, at last, starting to take off, driven at least in part by concern among gardeners about the use of plastic,” she says. “More and more nurseries are now either using pots that can easily be recycled (generally only those that aren’t black) or have in-store recycling schemes.
“There’s also growing interest among gardeners in buying ‘bare root’ plants, which are supplied without pots, or buying very young plants that come in smaller pots and therefore use less plastic,” she says. “As more suppliers facilitate this, I expect this welcome change to accelerate.”
9. Edible gardening
The trend for growing fruit and vegetables is showing no sign of slowing down. “I continue to be asked for vegetable gardens and edible planting,” Claudia says.
“I find many clients are now enthusiastic about edible planting,” Jane agrees. “Some want fruit trees; most want herbs in pots. And there’s increasing interest in having raised beds to grow salad and simple vegetables. This can be a superb way of encouraging children into the enjoyment of gardening.
“One of my clients installed three raised beds,” she says, “one for each of their children, who then took on the challenge of tending their own (and comparing their output!) with gusto.”
Tell us…
Will you be embracing any of these trends in your garden this year? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The trend for growing fruit and vegetables is showing no sign of slowing down. “I continue to be asked for vegetable gardens and edible planting,” Claudia says.
“I find many clients are now enthusiastic about edible planting,” Jane agrees. “Some want fruit trees; most want herbs in pots. And there’s increasing interest in having raised beds to grow salad and simple vegetables. This can be a superb way of encouraging children into the enjoyment of gardening.
“One of my clients installed three raised beds,” she says, “one for each of their children, who then took on the challenge of tending their own (and comparing their output!) with gusto.”
Tell us…
Will you be embracing any of these trends in your garden this year? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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A looser approach to planting and an appreciation of ‘wild landscaping’ is something all our experts listed as a growing trend for the year ahead.
“In line with the trend towards rewilding in public areas, clients now often seek a less neat look for their gardens,” Jane Ashley says.
“I continue to be asked for ‘wildflower meadow’ planting,” Claudia de Yong agrees.
“Many clients … find it more aesthetically pleasant and welcoming to avoid gardens that are too uniformly neat,” Jane says, “and the lower maintenance involved fits well with busy lifestyles. Many now regard wilder gardens as a win for wildlife, a win for aesthetic impression, and a win for time-saving.”