Looking back at 2019 and Garden Trends for 2020

Every year around this time I review the posts from the previous year to assist me in mapping out an editorial calendar going forward. It's an exercise that helps me to know what was of interest to readers and what fell flat.

For you, the reader, this is a chance to catch up on any popular posts you might have missed. So without further ado, your favourite garden in 2019 was (drumroll please)...

Cynthia McAlindon's Shade Garden in Oakville Ontario. It's a backyard garden with a quiet, yet pleasing palette that shows just what can be accomplished with a modest-sized backyard that has part-to-full shade conditions.

Coming in second was a formal garden that also had a soft, restrained use of color. Here the design of the garden offered readers pleasing vignettes and an abundance of ideas.

A Formal Edwardian Garden in Rosedale

There was a tie for third place. The small town garden filled with Hollyhocks very narrowly edged out a Small Courtyard Garden. Ironically one of the two third-place winners was a country garden and the other was a garden in Canada's largest city.

Hollyhocks were the star in the first of the two properties:

A Garden filled with Hollyhocks

A Courtyard perfect for Entertaining

The city garden was a space designed for relaxing and entertaining with the garden as a backdrop. The main features of this garden were a large flagstone patio with lots of seating and a small shed complete with a bar.

The low-maintenance plantings flanked either side of a charcoal-coloured fence. My favourite feature was the moss dog peeking into the small waterfall and pond.

In what I will refer to as the "how-to" category, the most popular post was My Weed Management Strategies.  Though my garden is by no means weed-free, over the years I have discovered ways to keep weeds down to a dull roar.

The other post with good readership was the first of a two-part series on moving and dividing perennials. I'm always worried when I decide to write about such dry topics, but readers don't seem to mind the useful information.

Moving and Dividing Perennials, Part 1 (tips on when and how to move/divide) 
and Part 2 (all the basics).

One of my regrets about last year's blog posts was the limited number of plant profiles I did. This post on Siberian Irises and flowers that provide Mid-Summer Color actually were well-received, so hopefully, I can make up for that oversight in 2020.

New Perennials for 2019

Finally, the subject of new introductions from Proven Winners has been a reader favourite for a couple of years. I can understand the appeal of these blog posts–new plants promise improved performance and features like larger flowers or smaller overall size.  It's a subject I'll repeat again in 2020, but I think I will try to balance what's "new" with information on plants that are tried and true. 

Now I'll move along to trends for the coming year and beyond. I'll touch briefly the background for each trend first and then tell you a bit more about the trend itself. In a couple of cases, my examples may introduce you to a few Instagram accounts or YouTube channels you might like to follow.

Private garden in Oakville Ontario.

 Trend # 1 Smaller Gardens

In Canada, Baby Boomers account for 27% of the population. Of that number, 16% are already over the age of 65. In ten years, that statistic will jump to 20% (no doubt, there are similar numbers available for the States). 

One might suspect that retiring Boomers would have more time to devote to pastimes like gardening. While that may be true, ageing gardeners seem to be all too aware that gardening is hard physical work. What I seem to be witnessing is increasing numbers of Baby Boomers trading in larger properties for smaller homes/gardens with less maintenance.

There is a second aspect to this trend. In Canada, statistics suggest that the median lot size for a new single-family detached home has dropped in size. This means homeowners are working with smaller yards/gardens.

Smaller Gardens Equal Smaller Plants

Modest yards mean that gardeners are looking for small-scale shrubs. Growers have responded with new dwarf versions of classic favourites. This trend to producing smaller plants is something that has been around for a few years now and will continue into the near future. We can also expect to see a preference for breeding plants that are less demanding and relatively low-maintenance.

'BoBo' is one of my favourite dwarf hydrangeas.

Among my favourite shrubs are a number of dwarf hydrangeas. Here 'Bobo' is illuminated by the sun and 'Little Lime' is the rose-colored hydrangea just behind it.

The flower-filled veggie garden.

Trend # 2 Moving away from Traditional Vegetable Gardens

While Baby Boomers have always grown a variety of flowers and vegetables, younger generations seem to be much more focused on growing edibles. Homegrown fruit and veggies have a practical appeal. You know how and where they were produced when you grow them yourself. Growing your own food also saves money. 

Here are two twists on the traditional veggie patch I've noted.

Unusual Edibles

Heirloom varieties of fruit and vegetables have been popular for a number of years, but adventuresome gardeners are now experimenting with growing global types of produce. Spearheading this movement is Canadian garden writer Niki Jabbour. Recently her book Veggie Garden Remix won a prestigious award from the American Horticultural Society.

The Vegetable Garden that looks like a Flower Garden

Companion planting is nothing new, but take a look at these two pictures of Niki Jabbour's vegetable garden in Nova Scotia (here and here). Is this a vegetable garden or a flower garden? There are sunflowers, nasturtiums, flowering borage, zinnias and the long trailing panicles of Love-Lies-Bleeding. The flowers are there to attract pollinators and deter pests, but they also transform something practical into something beautiful. 

Here's another example– this time in Maine. On Alison's Instagram account named Finch and Folly there is again a wild mix of flowers and edibles (here and here). Every winter she draws up the prettiest watercolor plans for her summer garden.

Behind this explosion of flowers in the traditional vegetable patch is a deep concern for the decline of pollinators. In particular, climate change, parasites, pathogens and pesticides used in agriculture have all had a detrimental impact on numbers of honeybees, bumblebees and wild bee species.  

Gardening immerses you in the natural world, so it's no surprise that gardeners care deeply about environmental issues like this. Creating flower-rich habitats, even in a vegetable garden, is a trend that is likely to continue. 

One of the many YouTubers who post regular videos on houseplants.

Trend# 3 The Growing Popularity of Houseplants

The high cost of real estate has kept Millennials indoors where they "garden" with houseplants. This generation loves to search the internet for rare and exotic specimens to add to collections. Botanical names aren't geeky. Instead, they add to a plant's prestige. 

Decorating with houseplants has become hugely fashionable in the last few years. What makes this trend new and fresh is the large scale and the number of houseplants. When you squeeze 500 plants into a small apartment as Nick Pileggi as done (see above), your indoor space intentionally becomes a jungle.   

Another YouTuber who has become very popular is Amanda of Planterina. Amanda's a bit wacky, but viewers like her all the more for it.

Using houseplants to create an outdoor jungle.

Taking Houseplants Outdoors 

Moving houseplants outdoors for a summer vacation is nothing new. What I think is trendy is the scale and number of the houseplants being moved outside. 

If you have a moment, watch the video tour of Amanda's summer porch. It's an original take on gardening outdoors using houseplants. Amanda literally brings a garden right up to her back door.

Trend #4 An increased interest in Native Plants

Pollinators have given gardeners a whole new reason to take an interest in native plants. To attract bees and butterflies common to your state or province you need to plant specific types of plants. 

Butterflies and bees prefer certain flowers as sources of nectar. Butterflies also lay eggs on specific "host" plants. Last summer I noticed more butterflies in my garden. What made the difference? I have incorporated more native plants.

Trend #5 The Garden as a Bird and Wildlife-friendly Space

As the CBC reports in this article, North America has lost 3 billion birds since 1970. That's a staggering number! 

These weren't rare or endangered species, but rather familiar backyard birds like sparrows, juncos, starlings and warblers. This loss has ripple effects in local ecosystems as well. Birds perform vital roles in managing pests, pollinating flowers and spreading seeds. 

The Beauty bush where two Catbirds made their nest last summer.

 Do you see the nest hidden in the branches?

 Some bright blue plastic adorns the otherwise neutral nest. There are three babies crowded into the nest (though only two are visible).

The shy, grey-colored Catbird loves to mimic the sounds made by other animals. The cry it typically makes sounds a little like that of a domestic cat–hence the name.

What has caused the decline? The answer is not simple. A number of issues such as loss of habitat, urban sprawl, the fragmentation of forests, pesticide use and even the carnage caused by domestic cats. 

Already there is an army of volunteers who participate in annual backyard bird counts, but is there any further role we gardeners might play? I think this decline in bird populations is something that is going to garnish more and more attention in the coming years.

A nest in a garden I visited in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

2020–the start of a brand new decade! Despite some problems, I have a good feeling about what the next ten years will bring our way.

A Visit to Mira's Colorful Garden

In all the years I have written this blog, I don't think I have ever singled out a garden for its use of color–so this is a first. After my visit to Mira's garden, I came away inspired to combine colors in a way I have never considered before. Mira describes her process as "painting with plants." 

By day, Mira is a high school teacher, but in her spare time, she has a passion for gardening. "I have always loved being surrounded by indoor and outdoor plants and rocks- a source of peace, harmony, and creativity," she tells me. 

When we take our stroll around Mira's garden, you will see more than unexpected color combinations. There is also an abundance of unusual and interesting plant choices. Mira describes her garden as a "living art installation." Of course, it wasn't always that way. With overgrown grass, weeds and an abandoned pool, it was pretty much a blank slate when they purchased the property.

Mira's initial focus was the backyard because it was used most often by her family. The derelict swimming pool was one of the first things to go. Other projects added were a deck and water feature. A waterfall and some patio stones were installed with the help of Robin Aggus. 

In terms of plants, Mira began with some must-haves. "I started with the big, structural trees and shrubs because I love their year-round skeletal features– the more twisted, curved or peeling the better. Most of my choices were inspired by things I have seen in other people’s yards over the years, including local garden tours," she says.

The front garden, where we will begin our visit, caught Mira's attention more recently. A tulip tree had been planted in the early days of Mira's focus on big, structural elements for the garden, but had otherwise remained largely untouched. Up until this point in the evolution of her garden, Mira had focused mainly on perennials, trees and shrubs. "I have always avoided roses because they are so labour intensive," Mira recounts. "But the buggers bloom all summer and into the fall, so once the back was mostly filled out, I caved to their charm."

A white Coneflower (Echinacea) with orange Torch Lilies (Kniphofia) right behind it. In the background (on the right) is a pale blue Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro). A Lavender in full bloom features prominently in the raised bed.

We aren't 100% sure of the identity of some of the cultivars, so in such cases, we will give you a reference to a perennial that is quite similar:

Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' has off-white flowers and a yellow cone. Full sun. Height: 75-90 cm (29-35 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 3-9.

 

Shasta daisies seem to have fallen out of favour for some reason–I'm not sure why. Here's a reference to a shasta daisy similar to the one in Mira's garden:

Leucanthemum x superbum 'Crazy Daisy' has white flowers with finely cut petals and yellow centres. Remove faded flowers to prolong blooming and divide plants every two or three years to keep them vigorous. Attractive to butterflies. Full sun or light shade. Height: 60-70 cm (23-27 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

There are a number of double Coneflowers you can choose from to create a similar look in your space. Here's a reference to one of them:

Echinacea purpurea 'Razzmatazz' has double blooms with a central magenta-pink pom-pom that is encircled by pink petals. Average garden soil and moisture conditions. Full sun. Height: 80-90 cm (31-35 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 3-9.

Globe Thistle, Echinops ritro 'Vietch's Blue' is a well-behaved garden perennial that has grey-green foliage and round, steel-blue flowers. Bees love this flower in mid-to-late summer. Full sun. Height: 90-100 cm (35-39 inches), spread: 60-75 cm (23-29 inches). USDA zones: 2-9.

The front of the house with its pathways of natural cedar mulch.

This rose is most likely the hybrid Musk rose called 'Ballerina'.

Hybrid Musk rose, Rosa 'Menja'. Source: Palatine Roses in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The biggest challenge with the roses has turned out to be Japanese Beetles. They love certain types of roses!

An overview of the back garden.

As is so often the case, the garden evolved over time without a definitive plan. 

"I started digging out flower beds, one at a time, replacing pure, wormless sand with truckloads of proper soil. The middle bed and wavy outer perimeter beds (I cannot stand straight or square beds) were the first areas I tackled. I filled each successive flower bed with perennials, depending on sun/shade exposure and rotating colours through each week and month," Mira recounts. 

Weeping Larch, Larix decidua 'Pendula' is a moderately fast-growing European Larch with soft green needles that turn a golden color in the fall. This is a deciduous plant that loses its needles in the fall and grows them back every spring. Needs regular watering. Full sun. Height: 2.5 meters (10-12 ft), Spread: 2.5 meters (10-12 ft). USDA zones: 3-6.

I asked Mira about some of the challenges she faced in creating her garden: 

"The biggest challenge was getting the 'feel' of the front and back yard just right in terms of 'visual flow'– the rivers of grass and mulch paths. It took about 5 years to get the scale and curves of the paths perfected from all vantage points and required the assistance of landscape architect Christopher Campbell to get it polished."

Spike Speedwell, Veronica 'Red Fox' has magenta flower spikes in summer. Removing faded flowers will encourage a longer bloom time. Powdery mildew can be an issue if the plant is stressed by drought. Average garden soil. Full sun. Height: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches), spread: 30-35 cm (12-14 inches). USDA zones: 4-8.

 "I have been known to transplant perennials until they could not take it any more. It's often hard to get it right for the 'big picture effect' on the first try," says Mira.

Campanula persicifolia (right) is an easy-to-grow plant that forms a low mound of green leaves. In summer it has bell-shaped flowers that are carried on tall stems.  Normal, sandy or clay soil and average to moist conditions are fine for this plant. Full sun or light shade. Height: 60-90 cm, Spread: 30-50 cm. Zones: USDA 2-9.

Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa: This is a native North American wildflower and a key source of food for Monarch butterflies. Plants form an upright clump of narrow green leaves with orange or gold flowers in mid-summer. Butterfly weed needs dry, well-drained sandy soil and full sun. Remove seed heads if you want to limit its spread. Height: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches), Spread 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) Hardy USDA Zones 4-9.

Dense Blazing Star or Prairie Gayfeather, Liatris spicata is native to meadows and marsh margins in Eastern North America. It has mauve flower spikes, which open from the top to the bottom. Plant it in average, well-drained soil that is on the moist side. Full sun. It is deer resistant, but butterflies and bees love it. Full sun. Height: 45-60 cm (18-24 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-24 inches). USDA Zones: 3-10.

Cupid's Dart, Catananche caerulea has tall, papery, purplish-blue flowers over a low clump of narrow grey-green leaves. Cupid's Dart will grow in normal, sandy or clay soil, but requires good drainage. It is drought tolerant once established. While it is a short-lived perennial, Cupid's Dart will often self-sow. If spent flowers are removed, Cupid's Dart will continue to bloom throughout the summer. Pollinators love it! Full sun. Height:45-70 cm (18-27 inches), Spread:25-30 cm (10-12 inches). USDA Zones:4-9.

Here's a perennial that you don't see very often. It's a North American native that grows along streams and ponds:

Stokesia laevis 'Blue Danube' has lavender-blue flowers on a low mound of leathery-green leaves. It prefers somewhat sandy soil and medium to moist growing conditions. Good drainage is essential. Cut the plant back to the basal foliage after it blooms. It is quite tolerant of hot, humid conditions. Full sun. Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). USDA Zones: 5-9.

Can you guess what this is? It's a foxglove! I spent quite a bit of time searching out the proper identification of this rare digitalis. It looks a little like Digitalis Davisiana but the colors seems to be more peachy. The tubular flowers also have a distinctive fringe, so I'm thinking they are not Digitalis Laevigata. Here's my best guess (please correct me if I am wrong):

Rusty foxglove, Digitalis ferruginea 'Gelber Herold' also known as 'Yellow Harold' has tall flower spikes of peachy-yellow flowers with rusty-beige veining. This is a biennial that flowers in its second year. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil. Sandy or clay soil is best. Average to moist conditions. Toxic if eaten. Full sun to part-shade. Height: 120-150 cm (47-59 inches), Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA Zones: 4-9.

Here's an American seed source: Diane's Flower Seeds. Looking for unusual foxgloves? Here's another source: Plant world Seeds

Hydrangea'Invincibelle Spirit' has magenta-pink flowers that fade to soft beige. 'Invincibelle Spirit' prefers full sun, but will tolerate part shade. It blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter/early spring. Height: 4-5ft inches, Spread: 4-5ft inches. USDA zones: 3-8.

A similar peachy-pink Echinacea:

Echinacea 'Supreme Cantaloupe' has cantaloupe colored ray petals on the outside of the flower with rosy-red ray petals at the centre. Full sun. Height: 55-65 cm (21-25 inches), Spread: 35-40 cm (14-16 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Balloon flower, Platycodon grandiflorus is a nice addition to any mid-summer garden. This is a tall, upright perennial that has a carrot-like root and is very long-lived.  Colors range from blue to pale-pink and white. Depending on the cultivar you choose, Balloon flowers will grow as tall as 60-75 cm (23-29 inches) and spread as much as 30-40 cm (12-16 inches).USDA Zones: 3-9.

Looking from one side of the yard across to the other.

"I am also very much directed by heights/layers, in addition to colours," says Mira.

Bear's Breeches, Acanthus mollis has snapdragon-like flowers and deeply lobed, glossy green leaves. The foliage is evergreen in warmer climates (it is native to the Mediterranean). Acanthus mollis will tolerate a wide range of soils provided there is average moisture and good drainage. In southern gardens where conditions are optimum, this plant can spread aggressively. Full sun. Height: 90-150 cm (35-59 inches), Spread: 75-90 cm (29-35 inches). USDA zones 7-9

Acanthus hungaricus is hardier than Acanthus mollis. Again it can spread aggressively given ideal conditions. Height: 90-120 cm, Spread 75-90 cm. USDA zones 6-9.

"I am a bit like a magpie, I love garden bling/artwork and the more rocks, the better!", says Mira.

Weeping Redbud, Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' has lavender blooms before the foliage opens in spring. The glossy, maroon, heart-shaped foliage becomes greener as late spring moves into summer. Deciduous. Needs regular water. Part-shade to full sun. Height: 1.8-2.4 meters (6-8 ft), Spread: 1.5-1.8 meters (5-6 ft). USDA zones: 6-8.

A Mulberry tree (left) and a Horstmann's Recurved Contorted Europen Larch, Larix decidua 'Horstmann's Recurva' (right).

One of the many types of Ginkgos in the garden.

At the back of the yard, there is a bed dedicated to ornamental grasses.

"The grass bed is all about movement, as are many of my beloved Japanese Maples–leaves fluttering in the slightest breeze and raindrops hanging from the delicate leaves like jewels", says Mira.

An array of Heuchera edge this flowerbed. 

One last area of the garden to explore. If we head back in the direction of the house, a flagstone path leads down to a patio area. A carpet of Creeping Thyme is slowly spreading to fill in the spaces between the flagstones.

Adjacent to the pathway is the waterfall that Mira designed and had installed.

 If you look closely, you can make out the figure of a mermaid sunning herself on the rocks. There is also a couple of birds and a few frogs perched on the stones.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Mira's garden. I'm sure she'd love to hear what you thought.