Lilly says…
LESS FORMALITY, MORE SUSTAINABILITY
There will be a move towards the informal, with hard landscaping being outweighed by softer planting. We’re stepping away from the days of gleaming white paving, which is difficult to maintain without the use of harsh chemicals, and embracing natural stone for its character.
TOP TIP Look at your local stone and embrace the vernacular!
POPS OF COLOUR
Bold hues are here to stay. Both in our full-sun borders and shady corners, those pops of colour against green foliage make a real difference.
This year try… looking out for thalictrum for shady areas. Varieties such as ‘Tukker Princess’ and ‘Thundercloud’ can bring a much-needed hit of yellow and purple. We can also play around with colour using annuals, such as vibrant cosmos, to bridge the gaps in the garden.
RETRO SHRUBS
I see a comeback for flowering shrubs, which are often considered old-fashioned.
This year try… plants such as abelia, daphne and deutzia, which produce delicate, often scented flowers. These need a revival in modern garden design.
LONGER GRASS AND WILDFLOWER MEADOWS
We’re all aware of biodiversity losses due to our human footprint, so making sure the balance is right in our own gardens is very important.
TOP TIP Take this on board by gardening with a lighter touch – allowing relaxed areas of planting to thrive, or replacing lawns with wildflower turf. Leave those perfectly striped lawns to manor houses and let our gardens teem with wildlife!
‘Leave those perfectly striped lawns to manor houses and let our gardens teem with wildlife!’