8 Garden Trends Shaping Spring 2025

From wild and whimsical plantings to practical, climate-smart choices, here’s what’s taking root this year.

Spring is in full swing, and gardens everywhere are bursting with life. So, what’s hot in the garden right now? Here are eight trends you’ll be seeing more of this season, plus a few tips to try them yourself.

1. Native Plant Gardens

Plants that naturally thrive in your region are having a major moment. Beyond their beauty, they need less water, fertiliser, and fuss, while supporting pollinators and wildlife. It’s an eco-friendly win-win that also saves you time and money.

2. Maximalist Gardens

Think bold, busy, and bursting with life. Maximalist gardens pack in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, often blending flowers with striking foliage and quirky accents like statues, patterned pavers, or vibrant pots. The look is curated chaos—dramatic, eye-catching, and anything but boring.

3. Edible + Ornamental Gardens

Why choose between beauty and practicality when you can have both? Edible gardens are expanding beyond the traditional veggie patch. Expect to see more “edimentals”—plants like rainbow chard, purple basil, or red cabbage—that look stunning while also being edible.

4. Gardens for Wellbeing

More people are turning to their backyards for a mental reset. Therapeutic gardens—designed for relaxation and mindfulness—feature winding paths, calming water elements, and lush greenery. Whether it’s forest bathing or simply sitting under a tree, these spaces nurture both body and mind.

5. Easy-Care Gardens

Not everyone wants to be a full-time gardener. Enter the rise of low-effort gardens: raised beds, no-dig setups, and container plantings that make growing food or flowers simple. It’s gardening made approachable, perfect for patios, small yards, or community spaces.

6. Outdoor Living Rooms

Backyards are becoming true extensions of the home. From string lights and trellises to outdoor dining nooks, creating “rooms” in the garden is on trend. Even simple touches—like arranging chairs around a fire pit—can transform a space into a welcoming retreat.

7. The “Hot Mess” Garden

This isn’t neglect—it’s intentional wildness. These gardens look free-flowing and natural but are carefully planned with layers of plants, especially ornamental grasses, to create movement, texture, and seasonal variety. The result is abundant, slightly untamed, and full of personality.

8. Drought-Resilient Gardens

With changing climates and rising water costs, drought-friendly designs are here to stay. Today’s water-wise gardens go beyond cacti and succulents, featuring vibrant blooms like yarrow, salvia, and rudbeckia alongside silver-toned shrubs. They’re proof that sustainable can still be stunning.

✨ Final Tip: Whether you’re drawn to wild, maximalist plantings or minimalist, low-maintenance choices, 2025’s trends show there’s a gardening style for everyone. Start small, experiment, and let your outdoor space reflect both your personality and the times we live in.