Gardening is embracing more climate-conscious practices, using fewer chemicals, favouring native varieties, watering only when essential, and turning to natural methods to fight pests and disease
For a truly sustainable and biodiverse garden, the best approach is to plant native species, or at least varieties that are well-suited to the local climate. Lanzarote’s Cactus Garden perfectly illustrates this, showcasing César Manrique as a true visionary, not only in art and architecture, but also in sustainable landscaping.
You, too, can create an eclectic garden that is a haven for pollinators. Consider including nectar-rich flowers and plants specifically known to attract bees and butterflies, such as lavender, sage, echinacea, sunflowers, and rudbeckia.
To boost biodiversity, new, more resilient plant varieties are emerging that have been genetically enhanced to cope with extreme weather conditions like long dry spells or heavy downpours. New hybrids of roses and hydrangeas, for example, can now thrive and flower even with less water and in poorer soils.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to make gardening easier and more resource-efficient. This year could see the arrival of AI tools capable of analysing exactly how much water and food each plant needs, making watering and feeding much more precise. Smart sensor systems will be able to spot pests and diseases early on, allowing for timely and effective intervention.
The use of robotic gardening tools is also expected to become increasingly popular as they take over the more laborious tasks like mowing and weeding, thus freeing you up to enjoy more creative pleasures of gardening like planting seeds, pruning trees, or tending your favourite flowers and fruit trees.
Another growing trend for the year is the introduction of bold, coordinated colour schemes. Through careful landscaping and seasonal planning, you can create gardens with curated colour palettes that evolve throughout the year, combining seasonal blooms and exotic foliage to add contrast and depth.
