In these fraught times, I thought it might be a good idea to discuss coping with the war on women, rather than dwelling on the Mu$k/$Rump (Mumps) crap show tonight. So I hope readers and commenters will feel free to post a nice variety of coping strategies in the Comments.
One way I like to cope is to take some time off and get out into nature. That includes gardening.
If you are interested in gardening, then you probably want to keep up with the trends.
Garden trends go in and out of fashion just like clothing and home decor — you might be interested in some of these ideas, but don't take them as gospel — they want you to buy stuff! So resist most, but choose maybe one or two of your favourites — and where possible, buy from local small businesses.
For 2025, here are some trends:
- Naturalistic designs, less structured/more relaxed, with native plants for birds and insects.
- Bold colours and textures, the more daring, the better.
- Water-wise plants that don’t require much watering once established.
- Living fences/hedges to provide privacy without a straight line that stops the eye.
- Luxury and nostalgia, fast-growing plants that provide a “lived-in look”.
- Growing your own cutting flowers and forage, to bring the outside in.
- Personalized details that make your garden work for you and support your mental health.
Also:
- “Nativars”
While native plants are typically defined as growing in nature without human intervention, 'nativars' are created by selecting and crossing native plant seedlings to produce desired traits such as compact size or brighter colored flowers. In many cases, they provide food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife, just like their wild counterparts, but with the added benefit of being more adaptable to home gardens—thus attracting more home gardeners to use them.
- Fire-resistant gardens
I know this isn’t new to the West, but here in the Midwest, I’m beginning to hear more about fire-resistant plants and what makes a good, fire-resistant perennial. Perhaps going hand-in-hand with concerns about fire resistance is an ongoing desire for plants with good heat and drought tolerance.
- Expanding living spaces for people and wildlife, such as parking strips, unused driveways, and rooftops. To which I would add side yards and balconies.
- Portable gardens for renters.
- More varieties of gardening educational experiences.
Internet Gardener Laura AKA @gardenanswer shows off some new bright heat-tolerant flower varieties for 2025 and teaches how to use containers: