11 Gardening Trends to Watch in 2011

Can it be true?  Is the beginning of the gardening season finally upon us?

Almost!  It’s been such a harsh winter and I have been so excited about preparing my garden tools, finalizing my garden plans for this spring and of course, gathering all of the hot gardening trends for your 2011 gardens!

Garden and flower shows are springing up and the main story in gardening continues to be sustainability. Growing your own edibles, making your own compost and more are now less of a trend and more of a staple in our gardens these days.

Now I know some areas still have snow, but there is a lot to talk about in gardening for 2011 and I have the hottest trends you will start to see in the next few weeks and all the way through the first frost of autumn. 

From colorful containers to vertical gardening, here are 2011’s Top 11 Gardening Trends just for you:

01. Colorful Containers
Bright, colorful planters and flower pots add whimsy and cheer to your porch, patio and deck or scattered throughout your garden.  One of the hottest ways to use these colorful planting containers is to plant bright annuals in the plant pots to match the planter color.

Try pairing yellow Daisies, yellow Snapdragons and golden trailing Calibrachoa in a yellow pot displayed next to a hot pink container with hot pink Phlox, Sweet William Dianthus bright pink Petunias can really help you make a bold statement your containers this year.  Too much of one color for you? Add the striking black Potato Vine to the yellow pot and a snow white Lobularia for just the right amount of contrast.

You can also explore all of your planter and baskets options for spring.

02.Color Blocked Beds
The main focus of this trend is to plant an entire bed focused on one flower color.  White is leading the way on this trend.  Planting a variety of white annuals and perennials in one bed or area tells an elegant story throughout the season.  Planting an all-white garden or what some would call a Midnight or Moon Garden adds drama throughout the day, but also illuminates your garden at night reflecting the moonlight.

Some wonderful white Calibrachoa, Petunias, Spiderwort, Daisies and Hydrangea are some great idea starters. You can achieve this look with any color you want to use.  Imagine a flowerbed in all red flowers, or all orange or blue!

03. Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardening is just simply…HOT!  Vertical gardening is great for apartments, urban living and gardening in small spaces but it’s also great for larger gardens as well.  Vertical gardening can allow you to create more space to grow more edibles or it can be used to create unique and beautiful effects for your garden. Imagine a column of foliage or a vintage frame hanging on your fence with a “canvas” of lush succulents creating living art.

Sound exciting?  I agree, so stop back because we’ll be exploring a lot more about vertical gardening in the next couple of months.  In the meantime, here’s a planter that can save you space and still have many plants on your patio.

04. Native Plants: Rising Stars…Again
Gardening with plants that are native to your area continues to grow in popularity again because more gardeners are realizing it’s the right thing to do for their environment. Planting and nurturing native plants, trees and shrubs is not only smart for your environment but your wallet too because they require less watering and less maintenance.

Native plants are an integral part of your area’s ecosystem and thrive best in their natural habitat.  Learning what plants are native to your area is fun and easy at your favorite Home Depot Garden Center.

05. Heirloom Plants: Bringing Back the Classics
Cultivars from days gone by are once again popular.  Heirloom plants and vegetables are plants that were once the stars of gardens in earlier times and haven’t been crossbred or altered in any way. Heirloom vegetables are popular for kitchen gardens and heirloom perennials add a vintage and traditional touch to cottage gardens.  Planting and learning about heirloom plants are a great way to learn the real “roots” of gardening.

06. Elegant (and Unexpected) Chandeliers
An unexpected chandelier hanging from a branch of the old pecan tree is a wonderful surprise in the garden.  Traditionally “indoor” pieces add a unique feel to your garden spaces.  A chandelier hanging over an old kitchen table is one way to create a surprising and memorable garden vignette.  Functional outdoor chandeliers are also great light sources for pergolas and other outdoor living spaces.

07. DIY Designer Landscape Lighting Effects
Adding designer lighting effects to your landscape lighting is not only unique, but a beautiful way to showcase your garden or plantings.  We have new product like the BlissLights Sprite that add sparkle to your garden in the evening.  I have a BlissLight Sprite and it really creates beautiful effects.  I will be posting more about these types of landscape lighting in the next few days.

08. Technology in the Garden: QR Codes
Technology has brought our gardens a long way.  From hybrids and heartier plant variations to the materials we use to enhance our gardens, technology has made gardening easier and more accessible to everyone.

Now we have a new way that technology will enhance our gardens in 2011.  On Home Depot’s flower, plant, tree and shrub offerings this year, you will be able to use your smartphone to scan 2D codes (or QR codes) to learn more about each plant as you are shopping and making your plant choices for the garden.  This is great because you will be able to learn more about the plants that you want to buy than we could ever put on a small plant tag.

Take that a step further and use the plant tags in your garden after you’ve planted.  Cut the code area from the tag and glue it to a traditional plant tag and add it to your flowerbed.  This allows you to use your smartphone to remember what you’ve planted or remind you how to take care of the plants.  It also allows your guests to explore your garden in a completely new way.

09. Revisiting Rain Harvesting
Recycling water is now less a trend but staple for many of us.  I’ve included it here because we have some great new products that will take the way you use rain barrels and harvest rainwater to new heights.  Learn more about rain harvesting and check out our latest selection of rain barrels to get you started.

10. Kitchen Gardening
Kitchen gardening continues to be a hot trend in gardening for some very good reasons.  Growing your own vegetables, herbs and fruits save you money and simply taste better.  Kitchen gardens are usually smaller than the traditional vegetable garden and are often closer to your kitchen or grilling area.  When planning your kitchen garden be sure to plant what you and your family eat regularly to get the most out of your harvest.

11. Sowing Smart Soil
Yes, your soil is alive.  Understanding your soils needs are important in having a successful garden.  Is your soil sandy, loamy or clay?  Soil types are important for drainage and root growth.  Some plants enjoy more acidic soils and some prefer soils that are more alkaline.  Knowing your plants’ needs and the makeup of your soil give you the power to fertilize and feed more efficiently.  We’ll be sharing more details on Smart Soil soon to help your garden grow.

Over the next few weeks, we will be covering these trends in more detail, so start finalizing those gardens plans the planting season will be here before you know it!