How to redesign your garden: bold blooms, fuss-free plants and privacy screens are among the top garden trends for 2019
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Want an on-trend garden? The Society of Garden Designers shares its predictions for 2019 — and it’s all about colour clashing and having fun.
1 Charred timber
Blackened timber fencing will be popular, says London garden designer Jon Sims (alladiosims.co.uk).
The modern application of the ancient Japanese art of Shou Sugi Ban, in which wood is charred to create long-lasting cladding (shousugiban.co.uk), makes a dramatic backdrop for urban garden planting and pairs well with modern building structures.
2 Teenage hang-outs
Chiswick designer Karen Rogers (krgardendesign.com) has seen a rise in requests for teenage zones, with secluded buildings or separate seating areas with outdoor fire pits or fireplaces.
“These spaces require clever screening from neighbours as well as good lighting and planting that absorbs as much sound as possible,” she says.
She uses evergreen Portuguese laurel hedging or screens of star jasmine (find ready-planted trellis for instant screening at primrose.co.uk).
Rogers also installs small water features to drown out noise. “It’s all about chilling —L-shaped seating makes it cosy.”
3 Planting loosens up
Expect a slightly wilder, relaxed planting style this year, says Louise Harrison-Holland (bluetulipgardendesign.co.uk). Shrubs provide vital structure without being too clipped and formal.
With box caterpillar likely to be the bane of Londoners’ lives for some time, they might be a practical alternative, too.
4 Be bold with blooms
“Anything as long as it’s not yellow!” is a common reaction when garden designers ask clients for their favourite colours. But that’s all set to change this year.
Expect to see the canary shade used with abandon, along with orange and red, says designer Barbara Samitier (barbarasamitiergardens.co.uk).
“Maybe we all want comforting, sunny, happy colours right now,” she says, recommending achillea Credo and salvia Lemon Light for the perfect tone.
Bring in more fun and clashing colour with kitsch pompom dahlias such as Wizard of Oz (nationaldahliacollection.co.uk), recommends designer Darren Hawkes (darrenhawkeslandscapes.co.uk). “And to be really trashy, underplant containers with begonia Evening Glow.”
5 ‘House plant’ gardens
“Exotic-style house plants are going outside, with architectural leaves and stems making bold statements,” says Joe Perkins (joeperkinsdesign.com) who is making his debut at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a garden for social media giant Facebook.
“Hanging plants outside is a great way to increase your growing space.” He recommends hanging ferns in terrariums in shady areas, or alpines such as cerastium tomentosum to trail down in sunny spots.
6 Interior colour outdoors
Award-winner Jon Sims thinks the rise of colourful porcelain and encaustic tiles in the garden will lead to bold pattern and colour in outdoor textiles, containers and furniture.
Darren Hawkes uses brightly coloured Euro3plast planters “for fun” (try Amazon, eBay or jardinchic.net) and powder-coated aluminium pots that can be made in any colour (thepotco.com).
7 Pamper-free plants
Plants that can handle drought without the need for expensive irrigation systems will be a key trend as we future-proof our gardens from dry summers like last year’s.
Clients are keen to use plants that can look after themselves, reports Joe Perkins who has installed many drought-tolerant schemes.
Go for succulents, agaves and Mediterranean natives such as lavender, santolina and rosemary.
To find a garden designer, contact the Society of Garden Designers (sgd.org.uk)