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Looking to spruce up your garden this year and need some new ideas? Discover our predictions for the top 2026 gardening trends in the UK below – set to focus on sustainability, smarter use of space, and creating gardens that support both people and wildlife.

Top 5 Biggest Gardening Trends For 2026

1. Native planting:

Native planting has grown over the past few years and continues to do so. This is partly due to the considerable change in landscape design from large- scale projects, to show gardens and local community projects. As news spreads about the need to restore biodiversity and build resilient ecosystems, native planting is coming intoin to focus more. Native plants, being better adapted to local soil and temperatures, can be a sustainable way to help pollinators and local ecosystems. 

2. Edible gardens:

There are many reasons why growing food at home is becoming more popular. From food security to rising costs and a greater understanding of sustainability issues. Self- sufficiency is a growing movement, and producing food even in a small space is enjoyable and satisfying. Perennial vegetables, fruit trees and productive shrubs will become more popular and growing fruit and vegetables in the same beds as ornamentals.

 3. Small space gardening:

With a large percentage of the population living in urban environments, in rented and small spaces, the continuing trend of embracing creative ways to garden, from vertical solutions to growing food in containers. Raised beds in new housing developments will become more common due to the poor soil and, in general, more accessible ways to garden for all. This will include edible plants and compact fruit trees, which can be grown in containers and other new solutions. This trend is also promoted due to the smaller space show gardens at RHS shows and also balcony designs at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

4. Colour- filled gardens:

For many years, there has been a somewhat subtle colour pattern in many of the show gardens that influences designers and the public in their decisions. The choice of plants that garden designers use in shows throughout the year, do often find their way into garden centres and nurseries. So these plants find their way into gardens across the UK. Moving forward, there will be a change to some bolder colours to bring joy and individual expression to home gardens.

5. Resilient gardening:

As the climate changes with more heat and heavy rain, climate- resilient gardens will become more common as gardeners move forward with adapting to meet these changes. More people are turning toward drought- tolerant, hardy plants with more rain gardens, permeable pathways, mulch and rainwater collection methods. Expect to see more ornamental grass, Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, rosemary and thyme. Colourful perennials, including echinacea, verbena and yarrow.

Plants/Hedges That Will Trend In 2026

Mixed native and wildlife-friendly hedging:

Gardeners are continuing to choose native shrubs and trees to support biodiversity and resilient planting. Plants such as blackthorn, hawthorn, crab apple and dog rose are popular, along with rowan and other mixed native hedging. These provide home, shelter, food and nesting space for birds and other wildlife.

Urban privacy hedging:

With so many urban developments and more people wanting time outside, the need for privacy hedging will increase. This will include trees that can be pleached, formal hedging and topiary – giving a classy, calm and private space which has less noise, pollution and nosey neighbours!

Edible shrubs and fruit trees

Edible landscaping is increasing, as represented by Adam Frost’s show garden at BBC Gardeners World Live and many more. Interest in compact trees with edible fruit is growing, and according to the RHS, edible perennials are expected to be a big trend. We expect to see plenty of mixed hedging, small fruit trees planted in beds and borders, plus edible perennials integrated into to the garden.

Perennials with many benefits

Perennials that are drought- tolerant, flower for a long time and attract pollinators   will continue to be seen in gardens. Plants such as achillea, salvia, nepeta, geranium and verbena will all be popular.

Unique Gardening Hacks To Adopt For 2026

• Naturalistic Planting: also known as ‘meadowscaping’, is a way of gardening that supports wildlife and biodiversity. It’s low maintenance as it needs less water, mowing and general tidying. Instead of aiming for perfectly mowed lawns and formal borders, it’s about allowing some areas of your garden to grow wild.  This includes wildflowers, native grasses and pollinator- friendly plants.
• Clever climate habits: gardening with the climate in mind, such as using mulches, gravel beds, rainwater harvesting, permeable paths and drought- tolerant plants, will help gardens thrive throughout hot summers or heavy rainfall. 
• Modern kitchen gardens: combining edible plants with ornamentals is not only productive but also a good use of space. This can also be beneficial for wildlife and natural pest control.
• Creative space use: for smaller spaces, look to use vertical areas such as creating living walls, container gardens at various heights and hanging baskets, which enhances a space and provides more room to grow. This is especially useful in smaller gardens. 
• Wildlife-friendly hedging: planting layered hedges and borders using native shrubs, small trees and perennials is so much nicer than a wooden, panel fence. Planting hedging is beneficial for wildlife and the environment, plus it provides privacy – especially if you plant one with thorns.

Gardening Practices To Be Left Behind

• Large lawns: large, traditionally short- cut lawns are high maintenance as they need frequent mowing, watering, and often fertilising. They do have benefits, but part or all of a large lawn could be replaced with more native friendly planting or areas for meadowscaping, which would provide more benefits to the environment.
• Non- permeable hard landscaping: hard landscaping that prevents water infiltration not only increases the chances of flooding but can seriously impact wildlife as well. Gardeners should consider permeable materials for landscaping where needed.
• Chemical products: the use of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides is long gone. Even if they are sold in a shop, the harm to the environment, wildlife and humans is too much to continue being used. Switch to organic, natural ways to grow a thriving garden.

How will AI/Technology Be Used In The Future Of Gardening/Landscape Management

Design is already being enhanced by the use of AI and technology. These tools can help to create gardens, larger landscapes and master plans to bring more green, sustainable spaces. Smart sensors can be used to monitor plant health, soil health, plant nutrition and watering needs. It will detect disease and pests, and AI systems will be able to suggest changes and give solutions.  Technology is already used in landscape design, but AI will enhance this and help gardeners to better visualise plans and choose the right plant for the right place.

About the Author

Morris Hankinson is the founder and MD of Hopes Grove Nurseries, the largest grower-retailer of hedging plants in the country. He started the business in July 1992, the day after completing his last exam of a BSc. Horticulture course at Writtle College in Essex. Morris has had a fascination and love of growing things since childhood when he was a keen exhibitor at his local Horticultural Society. Over the years the nursery has developed from a one person operation to an employer of 25 staff and so his interest is put to very good use, keeping an experienced eye on all operations across the 125 acres of nursery production.

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