Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has predicted that plants adapted to changing weather patterns will dominate gardening trends in the year ahead.
As England experiences increasingly hot and dry summer conditions, traditional houseplants such as spider plant and Tradescantia are being moved into outdoor hanging baskets and pots for the warmer months, before returning indoors for the winter.
The UK’s largest gardening charity said climate change is the primary impact on garden activity for the next year, drawing from industry data and scientific studies as well as public involvement in its gardens, shows and advice service.
Lantana, historically grown indoors in Britain, is now a favorite indoor-outdoor plant grown as a bed in sunny borders or patio pots. It says that Salvia hybrids, which were previously covered or brought in for the winter, are now surviving outdoors unprotected as we experience more mild winters.
Guy Barter, RHS chief horticulturist, said: “Plant breeders are responding to rapidly changing weather patterns as well as the expectations of gardeners, who want plants that serve multiple purposes and are hardy enough to survive the extremes of our weather.”
“Passion flowers used to be cut back to ground level every winter. Now they retain their leaves until spring,” he said.
It is predicted that the ever-rising cost of living will lead to more people turning to weekly food shops to grow their own ‘tabletop veg’, which has been developed by a large number of dwarf varieties to fit any gardening space.
New popular choices include table-top peppers, compact eggplants, hanging basket cucumbers and 50cm grape vines. Blackcurrants are seeing a resurgence, with new varieties being bred that are sweet enough to eat fresh, rivaling strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
It said bumper production of tomatoes this year due to dry summer could increase demand in 2026.
AI-enabled water butts that empty themselves based on weather forecasts are still in the concept stage, and traditional methods of saving and distributing water may prevail among community gardeners, “but in the fullness of time we hope AI-enabled water butts will automate the entire process,” Barter said.
The RHS said plants for pollinators, including single-flowered dahlias and drought-tolerant Persica roses, proved popular this year and the trend will continue, while sales of violas are higher than in previous years and primroses should attract attention in early spring next year.
,People “We’re more and more interested in and appreciating what we call biodiversity, but everyone else has what they call wildlife and natural things in their garden, and there seems to be no end to people’s interest in it,” Barter said.
In 2026, RHS will launch its year-round bringing nature home campaign, which will champion the benefits of plants for wildlife, including pollinators.
Other trend predictions include:
popular plants
Center Julian Palframand, head of plants at the Garden Center Group, predicts this will fall on plants that bloom for a long time, do well in many different situations and are low-maintenance. British Garden Center,
He predicts erysimum, nemesia, lily-of-the-valley and gladioli will remain popular. Given its low maintenance, the evergreen Hebes would be another top choice, while Ilex crenata would be more popular for topiary and Hydrangea paniculata varieties are also growing in popularity.
“And with summer approaching, drought-tolerant plants like euphorbia will be essential,” he says.
Plants that look interesting or unusual are also becoming popular, he said. Trees such as Dicksonia antarctica and D. squarosa are becoming more popular, along with ferns, cycads, ginkgo trees and monkey puzzle trees. These plants have a sense of history or age, and work well both indoors and out.
bold leaves
“Plants with thick leaves will continue to be popular. Bright reds, deep purples and yellows are particularly in style, seen in plants like Uncinia ‘Everflame’, Ophiopogon, Hakonechloa and Heuchera,” says Palframand.
“These foliage plants are easy to care for, add color and texture, and look great with flowering plants, adding more interest to the garden.”
landscape
Danny Kirby, group landscape buyer at British Garden Centres, says demand for decorative aggregates such as Cotswold stone chips and blue slate will continue through to 2026.
“Low maintenance is definitely a big part, and it can give gardens a bit of color all year round when plants can’t.”
Furniture
Durability and color will be the major factors when selecting garden furniture. Darren Craven, group furniture buyer for British Garden Centres, says all-weather rattan (resin weave) remains the most popular material for a traditional look. Contemporary designs with aluminum frames and all-weather ropes are becoming more popular.
Beige, almond and sand hues with hints of terracotta, gray and charcoal will remain strong, while soft green and sage hues will be a look in wardrobe.
water saving
Dr Anton Rosenfeld, research manager at the charity Sustainable Gardens, predicts water conservation will become essential Garden Organic,
“We will see more people weeding crops and supplying water through drip irrigation so that every last drop of water reaches the roots,” he says.
“We may also see increased interest in perennial crops as alternatives such as ‘Taunton Dean’ or ‘Dowbenton’ kale. These require less water due to their deep, well-established root systems.”
He believes gardeners are also trying more unusual vegetables like amaranth, as reliable favorites like runner beans are beginning to fail, as hot conditions are preventing the flowers from setting pods.
adimentals
“‘Edimentals’ – edible ornaments – will have a real moment in 2026. Plants like sea kale, samphire, artichokes and all the resilient herbs are beautiful, architectural and delicious,” says harry holdingMulti-award winning co-designer Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine Garden At next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
“We’ve been using them a lot in the Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine gardens because they show how a garden can look good and also quietly feed you – even in the smallest of spaces.”