The top 10 garden trends set to dominate 2021 have been revealed in new research — and small spaces, wildflowers and raised garden beds are top of the list.
Research conducted by the team at Love The Garden analysed the most popular 100 hashtags on Instagram to uncover the next big thing on gardening.
"The 'gram' is the perfect place to find and be inspired by the biggest trends of the moment," says the team. "We were able to find those trends growing in popularity and set to become even more popular in 2021. So, as you start looking ahead to the next growing season, here are the trends to start thinking about."
Take a look at the top trends to have on your radar below...
1. Balcony gardening
Research found that one in eight households in the UK have no access to private or shared gardens. With more city-dwellers looking for smart ways to embrace nature, balcony gardening is set to be on the rise in 2021.
The team explain: "You have plenty of choice to make this functional space really come alive, whether you opt to make the most of any wood on your balcony, go for minimalist design, or choose to go all out wildlife oasis.
"The plants you'll need will depend on your chosen look, but by opting for the likes of jasmine, lavender, foxglove, bamboo, eucalyptus, snake plants, and peace lilies, you can’t go wrong."
2. Wild gardens
"For many people this year, gone are the days of pruning, mowing and meticulous garden maintenance. The second biggest trend in our up and coming list is the wild garden," they add.
Whether you opt for wildflowers or leave a patch of your lawn unattended, wild gardens are brilliant for creating a haven for bees, butterflies and hedgehogs to thrive. Some of the plants to get your hands on include single-flowering varieties of plants and open flowers, too.
3. Inside Outside
The momentum around outdoor living areas has really picked up in recent months, so it's no surprise that it's one of the key trends for 2021.
"The inside outside garden trend is all about creating flow from your inside space to your outdoor space, so one naturally flows into the other. The garden should feel like an extension of the home. Both your interior and exterior design must work in harmony."
4. Tiny gardens
Many of us may not have a large outside area, but 2021 will see households make the most of what they do have — regardless of size. Some of the plants to have on your radar include long-flowering perennials, evergreens and climbers.
The team add: "With a tiny garden, it's all about making the space look bigger. Options include growing up to use your vertical space, laying borders, having clear pathways, and creating specific zones or outdoor rooms."
5. Raised garden beds
Raised garden beds are great to consider if you're stuck on space; you can control your soil better, reduce soil compaction and care for your plants much easier. The fifth trend in the list, 2021 will see many of us opting for this in our outdoor spaces.
6. Permaculture gardening
"Permaculture gardening means "permanent agriculture" and it's defined as working with natural forces – wind, sun, and water – to provide food, shelter, water, and whatever else your garden needs," the team say.
To achieve this look in your garden, opt for annual vegetables like beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers and squash, while adding in plenty of flowers and greens to create a permaculture look.
7. White gardens
Dazzling white flowers and bright white furniture have been growing in popularity over the recent months. "Key steps to create a white garden, include choosing a dark backdrop, varying up the foliage and changing up shapes and sizes, repeating form, and finally adding some eye-catching white flowers to fill the space."
8. Windowsill gardening
A windowsill garden is ideal for growing plants that will add a little something extra to your cooking — especially if you don't have a garden. Think herbs, chilli, kale, baby beetroot, pea shoots, onion and spinach. You might not have a sprawling space, but that doesn't mean you can't grow fresh plants and flowers in your home.
9. Grey gardens
This calming hue is not only one of the most popular paint colours for the home, but it has also been making its way into the garden, too. Whether you opt for grey patio paving, fence paint, gravel, or garden path, there are many ways you can tap into one of 2021's biggest trends.
10. Cottage gardens
The final trend for 2021 is charming cottage gardens. If you're looking to achieve this style at home, consider planting roses, foxgloves, poppies, sweet peas, and delphiniums. We're certain it will look as pretty as can be...
20 gardening tools and essentials you can get delivered to your home right now
Moving mulch, compost or soil to your garden beds? A wheelbarrow is an essential to save your back. One-wheeled, two-handled options are great for manoeuvrability, but if you're limited in strength you may want to opt for a dual-wheeled one.
A fantastic spade that's RHS-approved, this stainless steel choice is rust-resistant and won't need regular sharpening, making it easy to maintain. Long-handle spades like this are great for digging large plots and transferring soil (not to mention being easier on your back). This is also a sustainable choice with the handle made from FSC-certified ash.
V&A William Morris Gardening Gloves
Add a splash of bold and beautiful colour to your garden activities with these stylish William Morris-print gloves. Not just for good looks, of course, they'll also protect you from thorns and brambles while you're working.
Keep your garden looking spic and span and free from leaves and debris with this top-notch DeWit rake, which makes clearing up much more pleasurable.
Sicilian lemon kneeler pillow
Protect your knees while getting in amongst the borders with this pretty kneeler. Or you might prefer strap-on knee pads so you don't have to keep moving it – BUY NOW, £14.99
Protect your clothes and get organised with a stylish gardening apron. Whether you're planting new flowerbeds, picking vegetables or potting around in the shed or greenhouse, this trusty apron will ensure clothes stay clean. What's more, all important tools, seeds and more can be stored close to hand in the front pocket.
Webb electric rotary mower ER40 15"
Opt for a more eco-friendly electric lawnmower as opposed to a petrol one.
RHS Burgon and Ball stainless steel digging fork
An efficient tool for turning soil, garden forks can dig into dense soil better than a spade. This one made from rust-proof stainless steel with forged tines for extra strength, is a high-quality digging fork that's endorsed by the RHS. Need we say more?
The ultimates hand tool, trowels are wonderful for transplanting bedding plants and herbs, and planting containers. Hand forks, meanwhile, are perfect for taking out weeds. Not only are these a lovely on-trend copper, the material naturally doesn't rust and repels slugs and snails.
Personalised Copper Plated Garden Pruner Secateurs
Plants taking over? Pruning shears, or secateurs as they're also known, help reign in plants that are getting out of control. They're also perfect for trimming flowers, like roses. Why not match yours to your hand trowel and fork for stylish trio?
This well-crafted garden hoe will make light work of clearing weeds from your flower beds, borders and veg plots. The extra-long handle will also protect you from back strain.
Tackle a variety of different tasks around your garden with ease with the simple press of a button. This handy trimmer can be used to edge the borders of your lawn, and a wheel is fitted to the trimmer, making it easier to follow the edges around walls and fences. There's also a shrubbing mode, making it simple to tackle difficult-to-reach areas, like under benches and bushes.
Keep track of what you've planted with these stylish slate plant labels. The set comes complete with a square soapstone pencil, which allows you to interchange the labels with what's in season or current family favourites
Another handy cutting tool, loppers are basically long-handled pruning shears used to trim hard-to-reach areas and cut thicker branches.
RSPB Garden wildlife camera - new
Don't miss the incredible action going on in your own garden. A good wildlife camera will capture all the exciting activity. This one from RSPB can be used to view anything from birds on a feeder, bird tables and nest box entrances, to hedgehogs and other nocturnal wildlife. It can also even be used to keep an eye on the garden or house as a security camera.
Maintain an ideal growing environment with an easy-to-use soil tester kit. You can test the pH and nutrient profile of your soil, think soil acidity and levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, to see if it needs extra help.
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