Sunday, February 3

Trending the garden

A look at what's coming in 2008

Tropicals continue to be a hot commodity in today's garden. Elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta) lend a jungle feel to this pond area. Photo by Proven Winners

Having grown up in a military family that moved constantly, I've seen my fair share of garden trends sprout up regionally and then move across the country. Years before the craze caught on with the rest of us, Alaskans were planting elaborate container gardens. (Hungry for an antidote to overly-long winters, they took their seasonal color seriously!) Same with xeriscaping. Water-wise gardening principles governed the landscape designers and municipalities of the arid Rocky Mountains long before the concept caught on with the rest of us.

As these trends slowly infiltrated the gardens and lives of folks all across the country, they morphed into what I call "lifestyle gardening" - or bridges between our everyday stresses and the sanctuary of our gardens. One of the best examples of this currently is the outdoor kitchen. And yes that means here, in the upper Midwest, not just in southern California where the trend began. Whether do-it-yourself via kits or components or professionally installed, outdoor kitchens can be designed around a garden or vice versa. Either way, they add an extra dimension - not to mention more serviceability - to even a modest garden space.

The style and quality of garden art is continually improving. Responding to changes in taste and design, today's garden art suppliers are introducing more refined pieces. The Daily Journal/Kim Carpenter

And if your idea of garden "art" has been a painted plywood "fat fanny" or a concrete goose adorned in sequins, it's time to rethink your definition. Tasteful garden art and décor is now more plentiful and affordable than ever. Whether wood (sustainably-harvested preferred), bamboo, natural stone, bronze, wrought iron, cast aluminum, cast resin, ceramic, glass or concrete, there are fountains, sculptures, wall hangings, benches and lighting options at nearly every price point.

Among plants, the use of tropical natives is still hot and new selections are appearing constantly. But more reflective of lifestyle gardening is the ongoing introduction of biennials and perennials that give a full season of bloom the first year they're started from seed. Some species behave this way naturally - but a number don't. So, in response to impatient gardeners, recent introductions like the 'Noverna' series of sweet William, 'Queenie' hollyhocks, 'Champion' Canterbury bells, 'Camelot' foxgloves (an improvement over the 1966 introduction 'Foxy') and the All America Selections' winner, gaillardia 'Arizona Sun,' all bloom lavishly the first season. (Still, to keep myself honest, I occasionally grow the old-fashioned types. After all, Grandma and Grandpa weren't in such a hurry, so why shouldn't I be willing to wait?)

Increasing choices among more compact-growing vegetable varieties are also leading to new uses for these plants. Gardeners are placing edible crops into containers and smaller-space plantings, which more often than not are intermingled with flowering annuals and perennials.

Tomato 'Tumbling Tom Red' Photo by Robert F. Gabella

As a child, I grew dwarf 'Tiny Tim' tomatoes. And 'Patio' has long been a standby for container gardeners. The more recent 'Tumbling Tom' series, which comes in both red and yellow varieties, epitomizes the newer dual-duty vegetables, though. With its restrained yet cascading habit, it is ideally suited for hanging baskets and the fruits actually taste as good as some of the larger types.

Other plants to try in combination with flowering ornamentals are herbs, chard, dwarf snap peas, lettuces, dwarf bell peppers (such as 'Redskin'), bush beans like 'Royal Burgundy' and improved selections of bush-type cucumber varieties.

All these innovations aside, my best advice might be to buck the trends and blaze your own garden trail. Your personal lifestyle, tastes, challenges and budget should be the driving forces behind your gardening decisions. And if your neighbors decide to copy, just remember -- imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

A lifelong gardener, Robert F. Gabella has been involved in the horticulture industry since 1983. With an AAS in ornamental horticulture and a BA in business management, Bob is an Illinois Certified Nursery Professional, an independent consultant, hybridist, writer and photographer. He also tends prize-winning gardens at his Villa Park home.