POSTED BY PEGGY: What is happening in the garden world for 2009? Here is a list of the top 10 trends according to the GMG (Gardening Media Group) and a few thoughts of my own. Under each trend, I’ve listed Sugar Creek classes that offer more information on the subject.
1. Eco-boosting. It’s like the sustainability craze on steroids. Today’s customer feels a personal responsibility for the Earth’s future. Call us the “Greater Good Generation”. We want more info on improving our environment and lowering our carbon footprint. Recycling, rain gardening, drought tolerant and native plants are important.
-Thurs April 9th 6:00 PM Low Maintenance Gardening,
-Tues May 12th 6:00 PM Native Plants for MO Landscapes, Cindy Gilberg
2. Grow it yourself. This trend is not just about vegetables and herbs, though they’re driving it. Six-packs will make a comeback because of the better value they provide. The GIY trend will morph into the Slow Gardening trend (a takeoff on the anti-fast-food Slow Food movement) that encourages people to take time to enjoy life in the garden.
3. Blended gardens. Consumers will marry edible plants with ornamental ones. We’ll see small fruit trees sharing a container with perennials, and Swiss chard at the front of a flower bed. Gardeners will dedicate space in their gardens for vegetables, fruit trees herbs and other edibles.
Swiss Chard Bright Lights
-April 16th through 24th Home Harvest Festival, Tues 4/21 6:00 PM Berry Delicious, Thurs 4/23 Square Foot Garden
-New Fruit Cocktail Tree has 2 types of Peaches, Plum, Nectarine and Apricot.
-We will also carry Asparagus, Rhubarb, Raspberries, Blackberries (thorn less), Blueberries and Grapes
4. Locavore. This word — yes, it’s a real word; it entered the dictionary last year — refers to people who go to great lengths to source locally grown and manufactured goods. Customers want to buy locally grown plants too. Sugar Creek Gardens grows a huge amount of our perennials and annuals right on our lot. We try to support local growers and resources. We carry books from local authors and even sell t-shirts made by one of our very own employees.
5. Water in/water out. That is, wasting it is out. Conserving it and using it wisely are in. Rain barrels are important. Rain gardens keep water from washing away. Fountains are smaller and use water conservatively. Native plants remain important. Drought tolerant plants will be in high demand.
6. Bringing the outside in. Houseplants are on the rebound, on window sills, in offices, everywhere. Houseplants go from indoors during the winter, to shade gardens, containers and decks for the summer. Tropical plants will be popular too. Overwintering can be easy. Follow a few simple rules, no sun room required. Terrariums are back too with moss, miniature plants and fairy gardens inside.
7. Info lust. Gardening can be intimidating. Customers want knowledge. Look more information on plant tags, signage and free handouts. Sugar Creek’s free garden classes are a great way to learn. Click here to see a list of all Sugar Creek classes. http://www.sugarcreekgardens.com/special_events_and_classes.htm
Joining a Garden Club or group, like the St. Louis Hosta Society, Daylily Society, Water Gardening etc. is also a great idea. Learn more about these groups during our “Art of gardening ” festival May 21st thru 25th. June Hutson of the Missouri botanical garden will speak Thurs 5/21 6:00PM at our Garden Party. St. Louis Garden Clubs/Societies will be on hand to tell you all about their group.
8. Quick and simple. We’ll see fewer over-the-top gardens, more manageable ones. Easy-care roses like the Knock Outs including new Sunny and White Out, Knock Out Roses.
Sunny Knockout
-Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea, Pink Mop head (Cousin to Annabelle)
-Rose Cinco de Mayo Multi toned lavender, orange and magenta, Apple scent,
Rose Cinco de Mayo
New perennial varieties will have bigger blooms and longer bloom times.
-King Kong Poppy, monster size flowers
-Summer Breeze Poppies in Orange and Yellow are sterile, spends energy blooming, not making seeds.
-Echinacea Pink Poodle has 4” wide flowers.
-Panicum Cheyenne Sky, Red Perennial Switch Grass 3’ with flower.
Panicum Cheynne Sky
Containers are no longer a fad, they’re a garden staple.
9. Global colors. Driven by shoppers’ global awareness, colors will represent exuberant palettes. Bright, layered, hues like Bright Orange Cone Flowers, Pink and White Peppermint Phlox, will be important.
Summer Phlox 'Peppermint Twist'
10. Bubbling. This is different from the cocooning trend that emerged after 9/11. Consumers will be protecting and enhancing their own spaces. They want to keep up with the Joneses, sure, but they want to do it with their own unique style and flair. Customers will be looking for unique items and unusual plants not found at the big box stores.
What’s in What’s Out
1. Eco-Boosting is In! ……………………………Conspicuous Consumption is Out
2. Grow It Yourself (GIY) is In ………………….Doing it ALL for Me is Out
3. Blended gardens are In …………………………Segregated gardens are Out
4. Locavore is In ………………………………….Big carbon footprints are Out
5. Water is In ……………………………………..Water is Out
6. Outside is In ……………………………………Inside is Out (But not “out”)
7. Info Lust is In …………………………………..Lack of Knowledge is Out
8. Quick & Simple is In …………………………..Over-the-top gardens are Out
9. Global Colors are In ……………………………Safe colors are Out
10. Worldly is In ………………………………….Cookie-cutter is Out
11. Bubbling is In …………………………………Excess is out
