Any designer knows that a garden needs to meet two needs: utility and the art of visual spectacle. Perfectly combined, these two aspects already outline the trends for 2024, as defined by Garden Design Magazine, which we present to you summarized.

Expanding the use of natural materials

After years of minimalist dominance, designers notice a renewed interest in natural materials and a less geometric style of garden decor. Designer Julie Blakeslee from Big Red Sun in Austin says, "Instead of being clean and modern, clients are requesting a more old-fashioned look in their gardens.

That's why, in a project that I will expand in 2024, I used railroad ties, free-form bridges, and swing furniture and chairs. I believe clients are looking for something more authentic and real."

In turn, Richard Hartlage sees increased interest in tactile materials such as wood and stone for the constructed elements of a garden: "People are moving away from concrete unless it's an ultra-modern, minimalist garden."

Color Blocking

One trend is the use of discrete blocks of color in outdoor living spaces. Observing the number of brightly painted terrace walls, renowned garden designer Annette Gutierrez states, "It's about framing or highlighting a specific unit or area.

A flash of color on a wall, for example, can highlight a row of potted plants or serve as an artistic backdrop for an outdoor sofa. If you don't have a wall to paint, you can use a solid-colored rug or porch curtains to create the desired effect."

Hyperlocalism

Products from local sources continue to be a key formula in many industries, and garden designers see interest not only in native plants but also in endemic plants and those that appear in very special ecosystems. Tait Moring, a landscape architect, suggests, "We plan more local and endemic plants, not just natives.

The use of native plants and materials from local sources is not new. But what's new is the impact of climate change on each region and how it guides the design. More rain, drought, snow, catastrophic weather events—all these are factors that have changed the local rules for impermeable cover, chemical runoff, and water retention, changing regional design principles.

Reimagining Lawns

A symbol is the expansive and well-maintained lawn, but drought creates problems. That's why alternatives are sought, and experts propose many more grass mixtures that don't need mowing, as well as taller mixtures of wild grasses.

Unfortunately, despite controversies regarding the environmental impact, synthetic grass will continue to grow in popularity due to improvements in natural appearance and reduced maintenance conditions.

Gardens with Technical Plants, Fruit Trees, and Beehives

The latest trend is to design gardens with plants used to make textile dyes or materials for textile fibers. Among these, fruit trees can be planted, along with many vegetables and flowers to attract pollinators.

But, if the garden is larger, beehives can even be installed. Suggested plants include coreopsis, cosmos, Japanese indigo, marigolds, yarrow, bachelor's button, or purple basil for dye-making.

Mixing Old and New

Choosing a style and sticking with it, be it modern or traditional, is allowed, say the designers. "Now, mixing old and new is a trend, even if it wasn't accepted in the past.

It's no longer about modern or traditional style but about how you combine them convincingly, either by putting modern elements in a traditional garden or incorporating bold traditional elements into a modern garden," says Michelle Derviss, a designer from California, who adds:

"Eclecticism is not the goal, though. Rather, mixing old and new is achieved through the intentional use of elements that strongly contrast with the predominant style."

Active Spaces for All Ages

Yards and gardens are no longer just for children but for everyone. That's why Bocce courts, pet spaces, dining areas, fireplaces, and hammocks are all integrated. People don't want places to sprawl; they want places to relax and play.

Susan Morrison, a designer at Landscape Exteriors in California, agrees that play areas for adults and families are popular: "Most of my clients don't have room for a Bocce garden, but we've created pétanque courts, and the recipients loved them.

Then, families with young children are more interested in play spaces than traditional play structures. They want spaces where children can create and build rather than climb a structure or dig in the sand. The idea is a free-form digging area interspersed with plants, rocks, and landscaping links. The organic shape means it can be better integrated with the rest of the garden than a standalone play structure."

Shrubs and Dwarf Plants

Robert Hartlage agrees: "Shrubs are strong due to their low maintenance needs, and flowering, summer-dormant varieties are suitable for smaller gardens, such as hydrangea.

If you only need a 30-centimeter plant, why plant something that will grow to two meters and then spend the next 20 years trimming it? It's all about choosing plants that are the right size for the garden."

Technology and the Environment

It's amazing what you can do from your phone these days, says Morrison. Droughts have galvanized the landscape, and technological advances in irrigation systems make it easier than ever to control the amount of water delivered to plants.

Now, smart controllers that use weather data to automatically determine the correct irrigation amounts are available and can be programmed and monitored from your phone.

You can literally check the irrigation system from your beach chair while on vacation! Some even include flow sensors that send an alert if they detect a leak in the system, allowing the contractor to manage your irrigation remotely if you encounter scheduling issues.