DIARMUID GAVIN

coloured lighting is on trend. Artificial lawns are becoming ever more popular along with an increasing interest in quality artificial plants and green walls. New systems which allow a mix of real and artificial planting are catching on.

For garden planting, Mark says pleached trees are on the up, and an increased interest in the planting style which mixes formal topiary spheres with grasses and perennials. Box (Buxus) is just about done due to its decimation by pests and disease, with Ilex crenata and pittosporum beginning to take its place.

Porcelain paving for outdoor flooring has arrived and large flags are dominating the market due to their price and the fact that digital printing means almost any desired effect or finish can be reproduced.

Mark also feels that there is definitely a movement to create edgy urban gardens using industrial-style metalwork and upcycling. Gardens containing outdoor bars and cooking areas in this style appeal to the younger and uber-cool market.

Catherine Mansley,

features editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, is definite about trends and gardeners’ responsibilities.

“Houseplants will continue their meteoric rise in popularity, becoming more mainstream and with a broader variety of plants available to buy from a greater range of shops,” she says.

“Environmental concerns about plastic HAVEN Bringing the inside out is on trend FAKE Artificial grass is becoming popular will have a growing impact on the way we garden and the way we buy plants.

“We’ll see a rise in alternatives to plastic and a greater desire from consumers to be able to recycle more plastic.

“It’s becoming more unacceptable to garden without respect for the wider ecosystem – be that supporting wildlife or conserving water and using resources wisely.”

George Williams

from the SmartPlant app tells me that “to accompany the unmissable rise of the urban garden, modern plant owners are looking for ultra-simple care advice for plants that are easy to care for. Apps and new digital technologies will have a bigger role to play in our gardens”.

His own SmartPlant innovation comes BUZZ Work with nature’s pollinators INSIDERS Houseplants are in fashion HEDGE Pittosporum is the new Buxus POTTY People love garden ornaments

with free, simple, monthly reminders which tell us what we need to do with our freshly purchased plants, helps us identify plants that are new to us, and the app has a host of experts ready to help with gardening issues through our phones, tablets or desktop computers.

is the creator of Hunting Brook garden, a plants person paradise in County Wicklow. Just back from an inspirational trip to the cloud forests of Costa Rica, Jimi says it’s all about funky foliage for 2019.

“No matter what size your garden is, foliage is a key element and I think funky leaves are going to be the new flowers over the next few years.”

I agree with all the contributions from my gardening friends and look forward to another great gardening year.

However, I won’t easily forget the summer drought and the increasingly dramatic weather patterns worldwide.

There are debates about what is causing this and they are for other forums.

What I do know is that trends for gardening in the most natural and least invasive ways possible are definitely the ones I’ll be paying attention to in the new year.

Jimi Blake

■ Midwinter is a time to prepare for the busy spring period ahead. It’s a good time to take stock of your garden shed or garage where you store tools and inspect them. Some may need cleaning, oiling, repairing or replacing. Could your trusty mower do with a service? ■ Start collecting egg boxes as these are great for chitting and getting seed potatoes off to a good start. ■ Prune roses while dormant. ■ As hellebore flowers emerge, remove old foliage which looks a bit raggedy now. ■ For sweeter earlier stems, force rhubarb by covering crowns with a dark bucket to exclude light.

■ Clean up any bird baths and feeders because the bacteria that builds up can be harmful for birds.