Trends that matter - for 2025 (and beyond)

As we look forward to the promise of spring sunshine and new buds breaking through, what are we going to be prioritising in our gardens and landscapes?

Here are my thoughts on some of the trends I think we’ll see though 2025 (and beyond).

Low maintenance – but not as you know it

A green lawn has always been seen as the go-to option for a low-maintenance garden, but a lawn still needs mowing each week, and the hotter-drier summers (yes - really), mean it is often a brown lawn for months. Increasingly we will see people transitioning their lawns toward natural-style meadows, kept ‘neat’ and intentional with a few mown paths, or herb lawns that are naturally resilient and low-growing – as well as being far more interesting.  And, toward whole areas simply planted with ornamental grasses and flowers that one can wander through. Commonly, this style of garden only requires maintenance a couple of times a year – cutting last-years stems back in the spring, ready for a new year’s growth – a true low-maintenance garden.

The garden around the studio is about as low maintenance as they come, and its always full of life

A softer approach

Promoted by concerns for natural resources, and trend toward a more natural and laid-back-luxury aesthetic, we will continue to see softer solutions for ‘hard’ surfaces – whether that is re-using materials you already have in a different way, or choosing surfaces that require less heavy duty installation, such as stone-chippings, self-binding gravel and bark – the impact on the environment, and often your pocket, is reduced.

Increased focus on personal space and sanctuary.

As the world continues to speed up, the need for spaces where you can switch off and restore your balance becomes greater.  Creating small pockets of green and calm, which are naturally engaging and immersive through scent, sound and textures, is essential to wellbeing.  Whether it’s a pocket greenspace in the form or balcony or courtyard garden, or a secluded and plant-enclosed sanctuary in a much larger garden space, that you can individually escape to and just ‘be’.

Calm, green pockets that you can immerse yourself in, for a few minutes (or a few hours)

Front gardens take centre stage

With so much time and effort invested in (now lovely) back gardens, people will turn to thinking about improving their front gardens, as the space they see and travel through every day.

This will also be driven by a challenging property market, where making sure your home has real kerb-appeal, balancing style and function through great planting and a considered layout, will be essential.

Well designed front gardens present their home beautifully, and are a joy everyday

Less about overnight-transformation - more about the long-term vision and legacy

In tune with trying to be kinder to ourselves, and our gardens , I expect we’ll slow the pace of change down a bit. Taking a longer-term view, planning change over a few years and then tackling one of two projects in our gardens each year, before taking a break to enjoy the progress (so far).

As a wise person said, “a garden is never really finished”, so with that in mind, lets give ourselves the time to just enjoy what we’ve created so far, before launching into more.

Create an overall vision and plan, then work toward it in stages and with the environment - enjoy the garden journey

So that’s it.

Most importantly, 2025 should be about following your own (garden) path - keeping a balance and getting things just right – for you and your lifestyle.

If you’re not sure where to start with your garden, why not get in touch to arrange free discovery call and find out how a professional design service could help you achieve your dream garden:  info@vickylincolngardendesign.com, or, follow Vicky Lincoln Garden Design on Instagram for regular updates and ideas.