Spring is approaching with great strides. It's a good time to think about the space around the house and plan work in the garden. Joanna Legutko, gardening consultant and vice president of W.Legutko, points out gardening trends for 2025.
Water elements in the garden promote tranquility
Photo by Fiona Smallwood © UNSPLASH
Wellbeing gardening
What is wellbeing gardening? It is an approach to gardening that focuses on its beneficial effects on mental and physical health. It is based on conscious communion with nature, nurturing plants and creating spaces that promote relaxation and regeneration. Aromatic plants such as jasmine, lemon balm or lavender, intimate nooks and water features in the form of ponds or fountains promote tranquility. Research conducted by the University of Michigan shows that just 20 minutes of contact with nature, can significantly reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. The popularity of this trend stems from the growing need to reduce stress and find ways to improve well-being in everyday life. In an age of ubiquitous technology and urban hustle and bustle, more and more people are recognizing the therapeutic power of gardening - whether in traditional gardens, balconies or home green spaces. Therapeutic gardens are also becoming popular, used in hortitherapy (therapy through growing plants), which is confirmed as an effective method of reducing stress and improving mental health.
- Wellbeing-oriented gardens are more than a fad, they are a need to balance the challenges of modern times. When creating such spaces, it is worthwhile to ensure a variety of plants that affect the senses: smell, touch and even taste. Elements that support privacy are also important, such as hedges or pergolas that create a sense of separation from the outside world, says Joanna Legutko.
Wellbeing gardening is based on conscious communion with nature, nurturing plants and creating spaces that promote relaxation and regeneration
© W. Legutko
Animal-friendly space
The year 2025 will definitely focus on the development of trends that are already known, although not yet appreciated by everyone. One of them is the creation of gardens with wildlife in mind. Increasing urbanization and degradation of the natural habitats of many animal species are forcing them to seek safe havens ever closer to areas inhabited by humans. Therefore, creating an insect- andanimal-friendly garden is not only a fashionable trend, but also an important step towards protecting our wildlife. The population of bees, butterflies and bumblebees is regularly declining, and these insects are essential for the health and reproduction of our plants. More and more gardeners are therefore trying to provide them with the right conditions for their existence, especially in urban spaces, where there are far fewer green spaces. Home apiaries and flower meadows are being created. In addition, beehives are appearing not only in gardens, but also on the roofs of buildings in city centers, where they are becoming part of ecological initiatives to support the bee population. Garden owners are increasingly willing to choose honey-giving plants. At the same time, there is a growing awareness of the need to create shelters for various species of animals - insect houses, nesting boxes for birds and watering holes that provide access to water on hot days are gaining popularity. All these activities not only support biodiversity, but also contribute to the creation of friendly and harmonious ecosystems in urban and domestic spaces.
Creating an insect- and animal-friendly garden is an important step towards protecting our nature
Photo by Aaron Burden © UNSPLASH
A bouquet from your own garden
The popularity of handicrafts also translates into gardening. We are increasingly choosing to grow flowers for bouquets as an alternative to buying cut plants from florists. This trend is part of the growing interest in an eco-friendly lifestyle. Self-prepared decorations, including bouquets, are becoming not only fashionable, but also a conscious choice. Creating compositions from self-grown plants allows full control over their quality, avoiding chemical preservatives and experimenting with colors and shapes. Among the most commonly grown species are dahlias, zinnias, asters and roses, which delight with a variety of colors and durability. Arranging bouquets on one's own is not only a way to make beautiful decorations, but also a form of relaxation and contact with nature, which further emphasizes the value of this trend.
- Growing flowers for bouquets in your own garden is an excellent way to combine your passion for gardening with floral creativity. In addition, we can be sure that they are organic, chemical-free and grown in harmony with nature. Many cut flowers are relatively easy to grow. Plants such as sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds or sweet peas can be grown both in the garden and in pots on the balcony. This allows everyone, regardless of the available space, to enjoy the beauty of their own bouquets," Joanna Legutko stresses.
Growing flowers for bouquets is gaining popularity
© W. Legutko
Mini garden on the balcony
City residents are also choosing to create their own green spaces, even if they only have a small balcony. Balcony gardening is gaining popularity because it allows you to enjoy being close to nature without having a garden. Plant lovers are eager to arrange their balconies, transforming them into cozy green nooks full of flowers, herbs and vegetables. Growing edible plants such as tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries or herbs in boxes and pots is also becoming a growing trend, allowing not only to decorate the space, but also to enjoy fresh, organic crops. Also popular are climbing plants that shield the balcony from the sun and noise, as well as potted plants with decorative leaves, bringing harmony and a relaxing atmosphere to the space. Modern balcony gardens also use vertical solutions, such as hanging pots or modular green wall systems, which allow maximum use of the available space. Thanks to these solutions, even the smallest balcony can become a green oasis, conducive to relaxation and contact with nature in the heart of the city.
- Balcony gardening is more than just a way to beautify a space - it's a little therapy for the body and mind. Communing with plants, even in a limited space, promotes stress reduction and improved well-being. Sensory contact with nature - the smell of fresh herbs, the sight of blooming flowers - has a soothing effect on our body. What's more, being able to grow your own vegetables or herbs is not only satisfying, but also a way to eat healthier. A balcony garden is a space that allows us to relax for a while and enjoy small, everyday successes, such as the first tomato picked from a bush," explains Joanna Legutko.
Balcony gardens are the perfect solution for city dwellers
© W. Legutko
Ecological gardening
Increasing ecological awareness makes us bet on spaces designed in harmony with nature, which minimize negative impact on the environment and support local ecosystems. The main idea of ecological gardens is sustainability, biodiversity and reducing the consumption of natural resources. Such gardens use a number of environmentally friendly solutions, such as composting organic waste, which allows natural fertilization of the soil, and collecting rainwater for watering plants. It is also crucial to choose native species that are resistant to local climatic conditions, which reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and plant protection products. Organic gardens avoid creating lawns that require frequent mowing and watering, and instead plant flower meadows that attract pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies. Creating biodiversity zones, such as by building insect hotels, leaving dead wood as shelter for small animals, or establishing ponds without chemical filters that provide habitat for amphibians and birds, is also a popular solution. Permaculture - a method of designing a garden to be self-sustaining and in tune with nature's cycles - is also increasingly being used. All these solutions make the organic garden not only a beautiful and functional space, but also an environmentally friendly place that supports a healthy ecosystem. In cities, green roofs and walls are gaining popularity, which not only enrich the aesthetics of the space, but also support rainwater retention, reduce air pollution and lower the temperature on hot days.
The collected rainwater can then be used to water plants
© iStock
Naturalistic garden
One of the most important trends this year is naturalistic gardens. These are wildlife-inspired green spaces that mimic natural ecosystems and fit harmoniously into their surroundings. Naturalistic style gardens derive from the idea of returning to harmony with nature, which in the face of increasing urbanization and environmental degradation is becoming a priority for many people. They are characterized by a free arrangement of plants, reminiscent of the spontaneous distribution of species in nature, and the use of local, native plants (coneflowers, cornflowers, as well as ornamental grasses and perennials) instead of exotic varieties. In such gardens, excessive human interference is avoided - instead of pruned hedges and evenly mowed lawns, lush flower meadows, multi-story vegetation and elements that promote biodiversity, such as ponds and insect shelters dominate. Natural materials, such as stones, which can create paths or rockeries, and wood, used for pergolas, benches or bed borders, are also important elements. Naturalistic gardens are gaining popularity for their natural aesthetics, ease of maintenance and positive environmental impact, supporting the growth of local flora and fauna.
Naturalistic gardens are wildlife-inspired spaces that mimic natural ecosystems
Photo by Annie Spratt © UNSPLASH
Are you designing a garden? We have more tips for you about the space around your home!
Compiled byKATARZYNA SZOSTAK
