Gardening trends for 2026

These trends reveal a desire for beauty with purpose; gardens that nurture wildlife, delight the senses, and tell personal stories

Gardens in 2026 are shaping up to be expressive, immersive, and grounded in a renewed appreciation for nature

Horticulture

Read More: 2026 Garden Trends

29 January 2026

As gardening enthusiasts look toward the year ahead, we are delighted to share the top gardening trends for 2026.

New garden innovations

This year brought a fresh crop of gardening innovations that stand out for their originality and smart design. New plants and products are not only eye-catching, but also reflect a growing focus on sustainability and versatility; both indoors and out.

2. Rewilding your garden

Rewilding is gaining traction as gardeners create intentional natural areas on their properties. Rather than letting land grow unchecked, rewilding focuses on allowing native species to return while managing or removing invasive exotics. This creates healthier ecosystems and supports biodiversity.

3. Wildlife-first gardening

Designers are building entire schemes around supporting pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects, with planting choices chosen as much for habitat value, as for it’s aesthetic impact.

Consumers now want gardens that “give back.”

4. Saturated, nature-rich colour palettes

Colour is returning with intensity. Where soft neutrals once dominated, 2026 looks to introduce deeper, moodier hues for both plants and outdoor décor.

Gardeners are pairing bold foliage plants like copper beech, smoke bush, and Japanese maples with richly coloured perennials: salvias, dahlias, heucheras, and dark-stemmed grasses. Even planters and furniture reflect these deeper hues.

5. Maximalist planting

Cottagecore evolves into something bigger, bolder, and more intentionally wild. Dense, multi-layered borders full of mixed textures and heights define gardens in 2026.

Maximalism counters the controlled aesthetic of the 2010s. It embraces variety, experimentation, and joy, and it’s surprisingly low-maintenance once established.

These trends reveal a desire for beauty with purpose; gardens that nurture wildlife, delight the senses, and tell personal stories. From maximalist borders to resilient planting and sculptural foliage, gardens in 2026 are setting up to be more expressive and alive than ever.

Read more: GLDA seminar 2026

Read More: 2026 Garden Trends