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GARDEN TRENDS REPORT

2018

Contents INTRODUCTION 5

BRITISH GARDEN BAROMETER 6

WHO ARE THE NEW BREEDS OF BRITISH GARDENERS? 8

WHAT DOES YOUR GARDEN FEATURE? 10

NURTURING THE LATE BLOOMERS 13

TREND 1: NANO-GARDENING 14

Goingupandgettingout 14

Thebijouediblegarden 14

TREND 2: HOUSEPLANT MANIA 16

Healinghouseplants 16

Millennialnaturenurture 17

Cactuscrazy 17

TREND 3: ECO-GARDENING 18

Organicontherise 18

Theveganvanguard 19

Wildlifewatch 21

TREND 4: GLOBAL GARDENING 22

Climatechangebringsgardenchange 22

Brexitinourbackyards 23

Exoticedibles 25

TREND 5: SOCIAL SIDE 26

The‘Megha’Effect 26

Socialmediashakedown 27

Outdoorentertaining 29

SUMMARY 30

IntroductionThepastyearhasseen

excitingandunprecedented

growthingardening,with

theoverallgardenretail

marketnowworthover£5bn

annually.Moreandmore

Britsarepickinguptheir

spadesandforks,spurred

onbythemanyrewardsthat

havingagardenbrings,like

thebenefitsofgrowingtheir

ownvegetables,orthethrill

ofnurturingtheirfavourite

plantsandflowers.

Traditionalandexperienced

gardenershavebeen

metwithayoungand

enthusiasticgenerationof

newgardeners,encouraged

bythemediaandonline

platforms.Inrecentyears

therehasbeenahugesea-

changeas67%ofBrits

nowgettheirgardening

knowledgefromtheinternet

andsocialmedia.

WyevaleGardenCentresis

thelargestgardencentre

retailerintheUK,with147

centresnationwide.Itssenior

horticulturalteamboastsover

200years’experiencebetween

them,makingtheretailer

completelytunedintothese

excitingnewdevelopments.

Thisreporthasgatheredthe

thoughtsandopinionsofthese

horticulturalbuyers,conducted

asurveyofover15,000British

garden-loversandsifted

throughsalesandonlinedatain

ordertodefinethegardenersof

today.Itdiscusseswhichplants

aregrowinginpopularity,and

whicharelosingground,and

uncoversthetrendsandstories

thatwilldrivegardeninginthe

yearstocome.

ThisisWyevaleGarden

Centres’snapshotofUK

gardeningin2018.

Garden Trends Report 5

British Garden Barometer

Going up

Going down

Wildlife Care

82%ofBritswouldliketo

attractmorewildlifeinto

theirgardens,while37%

deemwildlifetobethemost

appealinggardenfeature.

Plot to Plate

Withmorethan90,000Brits

onallotmentwaitingliststhe

GrowYourOwntrendshows

nosignsofabating.

Small Space Entertaining

Thespacesqueezehasnot

stoppedBritsfrommaking

thegardenthe‘fifthroom’.

Bistrosetsaccountedfor

34%ofoutdoorfurniture

setssoldin2017,withthe

categoryofferingincreased

by58%for2018.

Plant Remedy

68%ofBritishgardeners

considerthehealth&wellbeing

propertiesofaplantbefore

purchase,withaloeverabeing

thetop-sellingcactivarietyat

WyevaleGardenCentres.

Digital Gardening

67%ofgardenersnow

turntotheinternetfor

gardeningadvice.

Easy Gardening

Salesofgrown-to-maturity

plantsareup25%overthelast

threeyears,withpre-planted

containersandbasketsup

14%YoYascustomersoptfor

instantcolourbursts.

Environmental Baddies

Traditionalmetaldehyde-based

slugpelletsarethegreatestlosers;

theyarenownolongerinthe

topthree,replacedbyproducts

certifiedfororganicuse.

Back Garden Space

Changesinhome

ownershipwillsee

overtwomillion

homeswithout

gardensin

2018,andmany

gardenershaving

tobecreativein

reducedoutdoor

space.

Home Orchards

Fruitplantsandtrees

havebeenlosingface

inthelastfiveyears

tomountingsales

ofveg(+30%)and

herbs(+21%).

Red Roses

Demandfortheromantichueiswaningas

yellow,orange,pinkandpurplerosesnow

fillWyevaleGardenCentres’top10spotsfor

2018stock.

Garden Trends Report6 7

Who are the new breeds of British gardeners?

The Millennial Gardener

+ Bornbetweentheearly1980sand2000s,thistrend-led,demandingcrowdhavediscoveredgardeningviatheinternet.

+ Gardeningfitsinwithmanymillennialobsessionssuchasself-improvement,craftsandwellbeing,butitalsoprovidesawealthofopportunitiestoshowoffonline,eitherwithgardeningskillsorusingthegardenasadecorativebackdrop.

+ Theyaretransientandspace-restricted,oftenlivinginrentedhomeswithlittletonogardenandbecauseofthistheyhavebeenresponsibleforahugesurgeinhouseplantsalesoverthepasttwoyears.Thishasfilteredthroughtothehighstreet,withnon-traditionalstoressuchasUrbanOutfittersandTopshopgettinginonthehorticulturalaction.

+ TheMillennialGardenerparticularlylovesgreen,andacontinuedriseinsalesofinterestingfoliagehouseplantsispredictedfor2018.

The Late Bloomers

+ Thiseagergroupofgardenersareintheir30sand40sandhavebeenidentifiedbytheRoyalHorticulturalSocietyas‘TheLostGeneration’:amissinglinkdownthroughthegardeninggenerations.

+ Theirbabyboomerparents–modernthinkingandrejectingoftheirownparents’old-fashionedways–preferredtogooffeffectinggroovyculturalchangethantostayathomesowingseeds.Indoingsotheyfailedtopassongardeningskills.

+ AstheLateBloomershavegrownoldertheyhavebecomeincreasinglykeentogarden,butseeitascomplicatedandconfusing,andarelackinginconfidence.

+ Theyaremostlikelytohavedecking,pavingandabarbecueintheirgarden,butfewplants;thoughtheycanleantowardsbuyingready-grownlargerplantsandcompletedhangingbasketsthattakeawaytheworryofgrowingfromseed.

The Eco-Gardeners

+ Thereisariseineco-consciousgardenerswhoareseekingamoresustainable,environmentallyfriendlywaytogarden,withgreaterconsiderationforwildlifeandthedangersitfaces.

+ TheEco-GardenersareembracingtheGrowYourOwntrend,inabidtoshrinktheirfoodmilesandreducetheircarbonfootprint,andaremostlikelytoadoptanorganicapproachtotheirgrowing.Thishasbeenencouragedbypro-organicgardeningmediaandcelebritiessuchasMontyDon.

+ Veganismandvegetarianismarealsoontheriseamongthisgroupandwiththiscomesagreaterdemandforfresh,beautifullygrownproduce.

+ Theyhaveanenterprisingethicandaninterestinthealternativeeconomy,utilisingcommunitygardensandallotmentspacetogrow,sellortradetheirproduce.

The Entertainers

+ Thereisagrowingdesiretoturnthegardenintothefifthroomofthehouse,andthisgroupisattheheartofthetrend.

+ Theyhavecausedaboostinsalesacrossgardenfurnituresets,barbecuesandoutdoorlighting,usingeveryopportunitytorelax,socialiseanddinealfresco.

+ HavingspacetoentertainisdeemedthesecondmostappealinggardenfeatureforBrits,regardlessofbackyardspace,withsmallbalconiesandvastlawnsprovingsought-afterspotsforhosting.

+ TheEntertainersarealsotakingsoftfurnishingsoutside,withanincreasingdemandforoutdoormirrors,cushions,ornaments,candlesanddecorativeaccessories.

Garden Trends Report8 9

Attracting wildlife

Very littleA lot

Getting my hands dirty

Minimal

The Urban Sanctuary

Your space-squeezed garden is your favourite

retreat! Don’t let your lack of gardening skills hold you back from making

your nano-garden [p.14] your own. Opt for vertical growers to fill wall space

and pre-potted plants that require little to no upkeep

[p.13]. Make the most of your living areas and

bring the outdoors in with large foliage and healing

houseplants [p.16].

The Nature Spot

Regardless of backyard space or expertise,

wildlife is high on the gardening agenda and

there are plenty of ways to turn your space into a nature hotspot [p.21] so that wildlife can benefit all year round. Colourful

flower beds, hanging baskets [p.13], and

aromatic herbs [p.14] will welcome wildlife, attract

pollinators and look pretty from your window!

The Edible Eden

Get ready for gardening with a healthy reward! Grow Your Own is all

the rage for 2018 [p.18], and what better way to utilise your space than with a sustainable, eco-

friendly [p.18] veg patch? From a balcony box to

a greenhouse, take your growing skills one step

further with exotic edibles [p.25] and international plant varieties [p.22].

The Modern Garden

Your garden is as much a hobby project as it is a place to host, and

you don’t mind getting stuck in with the dirty work if it makes for a

picturesque spot to relax and entertain [p.29]. Introduce statement garden accessories,

shelving and layered plant displays [p.14], and casual

dining sets or day beds [p.29] to complete

your look.

The Garden Party

The warmer weather means just one thing:

alfresco dining in abundance [p.29]. Your

garden is decorative, styled and an extension of your house. You take

every opportunity to entertain outdoors and

enjoy capturing the moment on social media

[p.27]. You’re often found tending to your cocktail herbs [p.14] in

preparation for the next soirée.

How much time do you plan to spend in your

garden space?

What is your must-have garden

accessory?

Which of these is most appealing for

your garden?

How much space do you have to garden?

How do you spend the majority of time in

your garden?

How green-fingered are you?

Room to roamSmall space or balcony

Entertaining

A large BBQ and dining set

Sun loungers

and casual furniture

A space to relax

Beautiful blooms

Enthusiast

The Cottage Garden

Your garden is traditional in style and full of colour

come spring, with an admired English rose garden and thriving perennial borders.

Equipped with gardening knowledge, you are

confident growing plants from seed and are ready for the exciting changes the future of gardening

holds [p.22], with Mediterranean species set

to enhance your space.

Growing your own

fruit and veg

What does your garden feature? Thereareplentyofwaystobringyourgardentolife,

whateverthesizeandmainuseofyourspace,and

thelevelofyourgardeningexpertise.Fromrewarding

growingeffortstosimple,decorativeadditions,here’s

whatwewouldexpecttofindinyourgarden…

Garden Trends Report10 11

Nurturing the Late Bloomers Today,anewwaveofamateurgardenersarepickinguptheirtrowelsandtakingtothe

garden…butwheredotheybegin?

WithBritsbecominghomeownerslaterinlife,

coupledwiththeLateBloomerswhofailed

topickupgardeningskillsfromtheirbaby

boomerparents,thereisagrowingcrisisof

gardeningconfidence.

Gardeningisperceivedtobecomplicatedand

worrying,andjusttoomuchresponsibility–

especiallyas31%ofBritishgardenersadmitto

feelingguiltywhentheirplantsdie.Whilethe

LateBloomersdonothavefamilyknowledge

andhistoricalexpertiseontheirside,they

areincreasinglypassionateaboutgettingthe

mostoutoftheirgarden,eitherasaplaceto

encouragewildlife,toentertainguests,orto

transformintoachildren’splayarea.

Asaresult,theLateBloomersareopting

foreasy,lowmaintenancegardensthat

requireminimalworkallyearround.Their

gardensaremostlikelytofeaturepatios,

decking,gravel,pre-plantedhangingbaskets,

evergreensandplantsthataregrownto

maturitybeforepurchase(salesinthis

categoryareup25%inthelastthreeyears).

Thislackofconfidencestretchesfurtherthan

justtheLateBloomersintheir30sand40s,

butalsototheoldergeneration,as...

Tohelpdemystifythegardeningprocess,

WyevaleGardenCentresarefindingnewwaysto

guidethelessconfidentgardener,withover250

advicearticlesontheirwebsiteandstep-by-step

‘supermarketstyle’recipecardsincentrestohelp

thembuildprojectsaroundtheirgarden.

Fivequickanddecorativefixesforeasygardening:

…only7%ofBritswhohavebeen

gardeningformorethan30years

considerthemselvesexperts.69%ofunder-45sbelieve

theyhavefewergardeningskills

thantheirparents.

“Mycontemporarieshavehadlittleinterestingardening,butastheygetolderandhavechildrenIseeagrowinggardeningaspirationamongthem.Howevertheyworryaboutdoingitwrong.Weneedtodemystifygardeningforthisgenerationandsupportthelessconfidentgardener.”

DuncanMclean,WyevaleGardenCentres’Fertilisersand

ChemicalsandGrowingMediaBuyer

1 2

3 4

5

Hangingbaskets Beddingplants

Pottedplants Grasses

Topiary

Garden Trends Report 13

Nano-gardeningHomeownershipischangingdramatically,havingknock-oneffectsonthewaywe

garden.Spaceisatapremiumandgardensofnewbuildsaresmallerthanthey

haveeverbeen.Manyhomeshavelittleornooutdoorspace,withtinybalconiesor

slicesofgarden.Peoplearealsorentingforlongerashousepricesshowlittlelet-up:

theaverageUKhousedepositis£48,831,or£94,088inLondon,withthenumberof

first-timebuyersaged35to44up10%comparedto20yearsagoaspeopleenter

thepropertyladderlaterinlife.

Going up and getting outThespacesqueezeisforcinggardenerstoclimbthewalls,andsendingthemoutintoallotmentsandcommunitygardens.

Thereactiontosmallergardensisahugeuptickinverticalgrowing;lackingsquarefootageontheground,gardenersareclothingtheirwallsinclimbersandhangingplants.Tall,slendertreesareofferingheightinlimitedborderspace,whileshelvingandlayeredplantdisplaysarepopularadditionsforcourtyardsandentertainmentareas.

WyevaleGardenCentres’top10sellingclimbers:

Thesespace-starvedgardenersarealsolookingbeyondtheirowntinyspacesandtowardsallotmentplots–therearecurrentlyatleast90,000peopleonallotmentwaitinglists–andjoiningtheever-increasingnumberofcommunitygardeningprojects.

The bijou edible gardenThekitchengardenhasturnedminiandchichi.

Nomorethemuddyvegpatchhiddenawayatthebottomofthegarden;today’skitchengardensarevisuallypleasing,usefulandinprimeplaceforadmiring.TheproficientkitchengardenersareaslikelytogrowchocolatemintandThaibasilforcocktailsastheyarespudsformash.Iftheplantsarebeautiful,edibleandusefulforentertaining,theymightjustearnaspotonthewindowsillorcountertop.

HerbsinparticularfitthebillandsalesatWyevaleGardenCentreshavesoared21%inthelastfiveyears.Whileavailableinabundancepre-potted,theyarealsoeasytogrowfromseed,fulfillingnano-gardeners’desiretonurtureinsmallspaces.

“Herbsdosomanythingsinasmall

space-theyareedibleandlookgood

inthekitchen,whileinthegardenthey

helpattractpollinators.Salesareclimbing

becausethenewbreedofgardenerwants

allofthis.”LilidhMatthews,

WyevaleGardenCentres’Vegetable&

HerbBuyer

66%ofpeoplegrowplants

inthekitchenandmanymore

areutilisingeverysurfaceasthey

squeezeintheirfavourite

edibleplants.

Clematisaccountedforover

60%ofclimbingplantssoldat

WyevaleGardenCentresin2017.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

ClematisMontana

CommonJasmine

EvergreenHoneysuckle

EverlastingSweetPea

Wisteria

BlackEyedSusan

EvergreenJasmine

BluebellCreeper

BostonIvy

PassionFlower

14

Houseplant ManiaHouseplantsarethemajorgardeningstoryofthemoment,withsalesofgreenand

texturalplantsrocketing.Frombeingconsideredoldfashionedjustafewyearsago,the

loveforthemhasnowreachedfeverpitch,spurredon

bysocialmediausers,thewellbeingcraze,and

bymillennialswithlittlespacebutadesire

tonurtureandgrow.

Millennial nature nurtureMillennialsareusinghouseplantstoreplacespouses,childrenandpets.

Millennialsaredeniedmanyofthetraditionalmarkersofyoungadulthood–propertyownership,marriage,childrenandevenpets–andtheyareturningtohouseplantsasawayofexpressingtheirnurturingandnestingurges.Thisgenerationalsowantsinstantgratificationandhouseplantssupplyitinspades,creatinginstantatmospherebutalsobeingeasilymovedfromflattoflat.Whileoldergardenersgrowtheirhouseplantsinthecommunalareasofthehouse–kitchens,livingroomsanddiningrooms–millennialshavethemeverywhere,includingtheirbedroomsandbathrooms.

Inresponsetogrowingdemand,awiderrangeofhouseplantssuitedtothebathroomhasbeenintroducedtocentresfor2018,includingBostonandmaindenhairferns.Thesespeciesthriveonthemoisturefromthebathroom,providingvisuallystrikingimpactwithverylittleupkeep.

Cactus crazy Cactiaremakingacomebackinthehome,gardenandbeyond.

Cactiandsucculentsarethemust-haveplantsofthemoment:compact,visuallystrikingandnearimpossibletokill–perfectforthe32%ofgardenerswhogetupsetwhentheirplantsdie.TheirpopularityhasseenthembreakoutofthegardeningghettoandpopupinshopssuchasTopshopandUrbanOutfitters,withtheirimagesappearingon

Thistrend-settinggroupare88%more

likelytokeepplantsintheirbedrooms

thanthoseaged65andover.

Healthandhealingstretchesfurtherthanjustthehouseplantdomain,as:

Healing houseplantsThewellnesstrendbringshouseplantjunglesintohomesacrosstheUK.

Thenation’sburgeoninginterestinphysicalwellbeingandmindfulnessisseeingpeoplecreateinteriorsthatmimicgreen,calmingjungles.Salesofbig,leafyhouseplantsaremountingatWyevaleGardenCentres,asaresalesoftrailinghouseplants.Suchplantsareoftenjuxtaposedagainstclean-lined,mid-centuryfurnitureandwhitewalls.

Healthconsciousgardenersarealsoincreasinglyinterestedinthemedicinalqualitiesoftheplantstheybuy,withsalesofsoothingaloeveraandhealth-givingherbsalsoontherise.Googlesearchesfor‘airpurifyingplants’and‘aloevera’wereup550%YoYin2017,withsearchesforair-cleansing‘snakeplants’up700%.

“Today’sgardenersarebringingtheoutdoors

inandcreatingnatural,clean,green,jungle-

likeatmospheresintheirhomes,directly

influencedbythewellbeingtrend.Theyare

buyingmanymorelargehouseplantsthan

theydidinthepasttohelpthemcreatethis

calminglookandfeelinthehome.”

CiaraSheridan,WyevaleGardenCentres’HouseplantsBuyer

68%ofgardenerswillconsiderthe

healthandwellbeingpropertiesof

aplantbeforepurchasingit.

Cactisalesareup18%YoYatWyevaleGardenCentres…

…withthefivebest-sellingvarietiesbeing:

Aloevera

Crassula(moneytree)

Haworthia

Cactipacks

Mixedvarietiesin13cmpots

lamps,bunting,socks,crockery,andevena£30,000Cartierbracelet.Thissuccessispartlydowntotheiriconiclookssuitingthesocialmediaage:theyphotographbrilliantly;thesmallerspecimenslookgreatfromabove;andtheyareeasytoincorporateintothePinterest-andInstagram-friendly‘flat-lay’technique.Theyhavealsospawnedanewgenerationofplantcollectors.

ofgardenershavesaidthatgardeningmakesthemfeelrelaxed,while...

sayitgivesthemasenseofwellbeing,and...

sayitmakesthemfeelcalm.

65%

35%

43%

1

2

3

4

5

“‘Plantcollecting’isgrowinginpopularity,evenamongpeoplewhohavenevergardenedbefore,andcactiarebehindit.Theycanbeboughtasverysmallandcheapspecimensandeachhasadifferentbutcomplementarylook.Theysuitthenewspace-starvedgardenerperfectly.”

CiaraSheridan,

WyevaleGardenCentres’HouseplantsBuyer

Garden Trends Report16 17

Eco-gardeningThemoveawayfromchemicaluseandtowardsagentler,moreholisticapproach

toproblemsinthegardenisoneofthestrongesttrendsingardening.Itgoeshand

inhandwithagreaterawarenessandconsiderationofgardenwildlife,aswellasa

growingpoliticalunderstandingofthewayGrowYourOwncandecreaseourfood’s

carbonfootprintandairmiles.

67% of people consider themselves to be eco-conscious when it comes to gardening: as a nation we are becoming increasingly

aware that we can do good and make a difference.

The vegan vanguardPlottoplatelifestylegainstractionwiththeUK’svegetariansandvegans.

Today’sgardenersareseeingthedamageour

currentfoodsystemdoestotheenvironment,

andarepickinguptheirspadesanddoing

somethingaboutit.Younggardenersare

particularlyeco-consciousandarethemost

likelytoutilisecommunitygardens,which

areoftenhotbedsofenvironmentalforward

thinking.TheyenjoyanenterprisingDIYethic

andsteppingoutsideoftheeconomicsystem,

withtheunder40smostlikelytohavesold

plants,fruitsorvegetablesthattheyhavegrown

intheirgardens.

43%ofgardenersunder40

growtheirownvegetables

comparedto32%ofover60s.

VegplantsalesatWyevale

GardenCentreshavesoared30%

overthelastfiveyears.

Organic on the riseTheorganicmovementisgaininggroundinthegarden.

Theenvironmentallyawareconsumersof

todayarerejectingthechemicalcompounds

thathavebeenstaplesofgardeningfor

decades,andturningtoorganicalternatives.

Traditionalmetaldehyde-basedslugpellets

arethegreatestlosers;havingbeenthe

numberoneproductformanyyearsthey

arenownolongerinthetopthree,dueto

theriseineco-consciousgardeners.Pellets

basedonferroussulphate–anaturally

occurringingredientacceptabletoorganic

growers–nowsitatnumberoneatWyevale

GardenCentresacrossthecountry.

Morethanthree

quartersofgardenerstry

toavoidusingchemicals

intheirgardens,with46%

ofthemusingorganic

fertilisersinstead.

“Gardenerswantabumpercropfortheir

effortsbuttheydon’twanttododamage

toachieveit.Theyareincreasingly

leaningtowardsorganicchoicesand

recognisingthatit’snotalwaysabout

dumpinglotsofchemicalson,but

insteadfeedingorganicallyattheright

timesintheyear.”

DuncanMclean,

WyevaleGardenCentres’Fertilisersand

ChemicalsandGrowingMediaBuyer

Organicfeedranges

haveincreasedby50%at

WyevaleGardenCentresfor

2018duetoincreasedemand

fromcustomers.

TheUKorganicfoodmarketrecentlytopped

£2bnperyearandrising,anditseemswe

wantourgardenstobeaschemicalfreeas

thefoodwebuy.Breedersandnurseriesare

producingplantsthatarelesssusceptible

todiseaseandsohavefewerproblems

thatwouldwarrantgettingthesprayout.

Rosesinparticularhavedevelopedinleaps

andboundsoverthepastdecade;while

newrangesofgraftedvegetables,such

astomatoes,aubergines,melons,peppers

andcucumbers,growstrongerandmore

vigorouslythanseedlings,andsoareless

likelytosufferproblems.

WyevaleGardenCentressoldover1.5

millionpacksofvegetableseedsin2017,

withanincreasedrangeoforganicseeds

beingintroducedfor2018,includingcarrots,

tomatoes,kale,spinachandsprouts.

Veganismisoneofthefastestgrowinglifestyle

movements,withthenumberofBritschoosing

aplant-baseddietrisingbymorethan360%

overthepastdecade.Thishasspurredan

increaseddemandforreallyfresh,beautifully

grownfruitsandvegetables,whichisalso

tricklingthroughtohouseholdsandsustaining

theGrowYourOwntrend.

Garden Trends Report18 19

Wildlife watchBritsareputtingwildlifehighonthegardeningagenda.

Gardenersarenolongerjustinterestedinhowprettytheirgardenis;82%oftheBritishpublicwouldliketoattractmorewildlifeintotheirgardensandlooktohelpthebirds,bees,butterfliesandhedgehogs.

These‘wildlifeguardians’areseekingamore

sustainable,environmentallyfriendlywayto

garden.Salesofconifersandhedging–which

createausefulhabitatandactasawildlife

corridor–haveincreasedby14%inthelast

threeyears;seedrangeshavebeenintroduced

thatreflectthegrowinginterestinwildlife(for

instancethe‘PerfectforPollinators’range

showcasessimpleflowersthatarepacked

withnectar);andmembershipofTheBritish

BeekeepersAssociation(BBKA),recentlyrose

to24,000amateurbeekeepermembers.

‘Hedgehogs:TipsForSuccess’is

themostreadwildlifeadvicepage

onwyevalegardencentres.co.uk.

86%ofgardenerstryto

feedorprovideahomeforthe

birdsintheirgarden.

37%ofBritishgardenersclaim

thathavingmorewildlifeisthe

mostappealinggardenfeature.

Garden Trends Report 21

Climate change brings garden change ClassicEnglishperennialbordersandlushgreenmakewayforMediterraneanalternatives.

Ourchangingclimateistheforemostchallenge

facinggardeners,andmayseetheclassic

Englishperennialborder–amainstayof

countryhousesandcottagegardensfor

centuries–underthreat.Suchplantshave

thrivedinourgentle,moistandtemperate

climate,anddislikemoreextremeconditions

andprolongedperiodsofdroughtandheat.

Lush,greenlawnslikewisesuitthemildand

predictable,andwillstruggleifsubjectedto

periodsofdroughtandflood.Theplantsthat

mayreplacethemareMediterraneansub

shrubssuchasrosemaryandlavender(already

themostsearchedforplantonWyevale

GardenCentres’website),whicharemuch

moreadaptedtodroughtconditions,aswell

asexotics.Aboveallclimatechangebringsa

periodofupheavalanduncertainty,and...

...only2%ofgardenersfeelthat

theyhavetheknowledgetoadapt

toachangingclimate.

“Insomeways,changesinclimateconditionsopensupnewpossibilities–gardenersinGlasgowmayonedaybeabletogrowagapanthus,phoenixpalmsandyuccas–butitalsobringswithitchallenges,withnewpestsanddiseasesbroughtbythewarmerweather.”

DavidMitchell,

WyevaleGardenCentres’Buying

ManagerHorticulture

Global GardeningNogardenisanisland;andthepoliticalandenvironmentalshiftsofthewiderworld

seepintogardensjustastheydointoeveryaspectoflife.Changesinclimate,an

increaseintraveltoexoticlocations,andconcernsaboutfoodprovenancepost-

Brexitarethethreeprimaryissuesthataredirectlydrivingchangesinthewaythat

Britsgardenin2018.

BritsarealreadygivingtheirgardensaMediterraneanmakeover,withincreasedrangesofpalmtreesbroughtintocentresnationwide,alongwithbambooandotherexoticplantsfollowingasurgeinonlinesearcheslastyear.

Createyourownglobalgardenin2018withWyevaleGardenCentres:

Brexit in our backyardsBurgeoningBrexitturnsfocustowardsprovenance,availabilityoffood,andaffordableeats.

NationalworryaboutfoodimportsandashortageofBrits’favouritefreshproducefollowingBrexitispushingupinterestinself-sufficiencyinallotments,withlastyear’slettuceshortagebeingasignofthingstocome.WhenexaminingtheimpactofBrexit,theFood,FarmingandCountrysideCommissionfoundthatjustoneofourfiveportionsoffruitandvegetablesperdayisgrownintheUK,withtheremainingmajoritybeingimportedfromEUcountries.‘Nodeal’Brexitoffersthemostdramaticscenarioforfoodshortageswithfoodlikelytobeheldupatports,andsupplylinesdisrupted.Whatevertheeventualdeal,foodpricesarelikelyto

increasesignificantly.Far-sightedgardenersarealreadyincreasingtheirownselfsufficiencyaheadofthis,andwearelikelytoseeasurgeinBrexit-relatedediblegardeningover2018/19.

“Thenextfewyearswillbefascinatingas

wewitnessachangeinthewaypeople

consumetheirfruitandveg.TheUK’slove

affairwithGrowYourOwncontinuedtogain

momentumin2017,alongwithanevolving

interestinprovenance,andislikelyto

continuewiththepotentialimpactofBrexit

onfruitandvegstocks.Wehavesimplified

ourcompostrangestomakeiteasierto

selecttherightoneforyourneedsaswellas

orderingmoreseedsthanin2017.”

MarkSage,

WyevaleGardenCentres’HeadofHorticulture

NewZealandFlax JapaneseMaple

AfricanLilyMediterraneanBayTrees

Garden Trends Report22 23

Exotic edibles Growthinexoticcropsfuelledbytravel,restaurantsandunusualsupermarketfreshfoodranges.

Gardenersareseekingouttheunusualandmorethaneverwanttogrowtheexoticalongsidethetraditionalplotveg.Thishasbeenspurredonbyexperienceswhentravelling,eatingout,andbyincreasinglyadventuroussupermarketfreshfoodofferings.

CanyouhandletheheatofthesechilliesatWyevaleGardenCentres?

ClimatechangeisalsolikelytomakeitpossibleforBritishgardenerstogrowmoreunusualcropsinthefuture.Loquats,persimmons,kiwis,amaranth,peaches,nectarinesandalmondsarealreadyviableinmilderpartsoftheUKandtheirviabilityinmorenortherlyandchillierpartsofthecountryissettoincrease.

“TherealgrowthintheGrowYourOwnsectorisintheunusual.Tamarillos,cucamelonsandsweetpotatoesareamongthecropsthatgardenersareintroducingtotheirownkitchengardens.Chilliplantsalesarealsothefastestgrowingamongalledibles.”

LilidhMatthews,

WyevaleGardenCentres’Vegetable&HerbBuyer

Jalepeño(2,500-5,000Scovilles)

Feugo(350,000-500,000Scovilles)

Inferno(1,569,000Scovilles)

Garden Trends Report 25

Roses Peonies Zinnias

Dahlias Hydrangeas

Roses Peonies Zinnias

Dahlias Hydrangeas

Roses Peonies Zinnias

Dahlias Hydrangeas

Social SideSocialmediaandtheinternetnowmassivelyinfluencegardening,deliveringinstant

inspiration,informationonthelatesttrends,andsourcesofadvice.Itismakingusmore

openaboutourgardensandourgardening,andbyinvitingpeopleindigitally,weare

becomingmorelikelytoinvitefriendsintoourgardensandusethemassocialspaces.

The ‘Megha’ Effect SocialmediasensationMeghanMarklewillimpactplanttrendsfor2018–willherweddingbouquetbepeonies?

PrinceHarryandMeghanMarklemarryinMay,andtheiruseofplantsandflowersfortheceremonyislikelytohaveabigimpactongardeningtrendsforthenearfuture.MeghanMarkleoftentooktosocialmediatosharepicturesofherfavouriteflowers:peoniesinshadesofwhite,pinkandcoral.ThesevarietieswillbeinseasoninMay,leadingtospeculationthatshemayincludetheminherbouquet.Inanticipation,WyevaleGardenCentresisbracingitselfforarunonpeoniesintheaftermath.

Myrtleisalsolikelytofeature–itistheemblemofmatrimony,symbolisingloveandhope,andhasbeenusedinroyalbrides’bouquetssincethe19thcentury.Alternatively,MeghanmayfollowKateMiddleton’sleadinpayingtributetoHarry’slate

mother,PrincessDiana,byincludinglily-of-the-valleyinherbouquet-Dianaherselfcarriedsprigsoftheplantonherweddingday.Inherweddingbouquetin2011,KateMiddletonbuckedthetrendforflamboyant,flown-inflowers,choosingasimple,purewhitebouquetoflily-of-the-valley,myrtleandhyacinths.AlloftheflowersandplantsusedonthedaywereUK-grownandmanycutfromroyalestates.Thesechoicesgaveagreatboosttothetrendforwhiteandgreenandtothethen-nascentUK-growncutflowermarket.

WyevaleGardenCentres’best-sellingpeonies:

1

2

3

Suffruiticosa(VariousColours)

SarahBernhardt(RosePink)

KarlRosenfield(BoldMagenta)

Social media shakedownCarrotsandclicks:theinternetisreplacingtraditionalsourcesofgardeninformation.

Theinternethasbecomeourprimarysourceofgardeninginspirationandinformation.Onlinebuyingiskeyforshopperstoday,particularlytheunder-40swhoaremorelikelytokeepupwithtrendsandmuchmorelikelytovisitthewebsitethanastore.

Havingapresenceonsocialmediaisalsospanningthegenerations,aspeopleturntotheinternetforappreciationandaffirmationoftheirgardeningefforts.LizHurley,CindyCrawford,OprahWinfrey,AmandaHolden,GeriHalliwellandKellyBrooksareamongthecelebritiesjumpingontothistrendandpostingartfulpicturesofthemselvesgardening.

Gardencentresarerespondingtothisbymakingeasy,pre-planted,Instagram-readycontainersinsubtlerandgreenercolourrangesthatkeepupwiththelatestonlinetrends.

47%oftheUKbelievesthat

socialmediawillinfluence

gardeningtrendsin2018.

AlmostathirdofUKgardeners

regularlysharepicturesoftheir

plantsonFacebook,overhalfof

whichareunder40yearsold.

LastyearWyevaleGarden

Centressawa108%increasein

loyaltycardmemberschoosingto

receivetheirvouchersbyemail.

Socialmedia’sfavouriteflowers:

Roses Peonies

HydrangeasDahlias

Zinnias

Garden Trends Report 27

Gardenfurnitureisalsobecomingmorestylish

andmoderninlook,withold-fashionedrattan

inshadesofbrownsandgreensmakingway

formetalandwoodensetsinmutedgreysand

palertones.

Gardenfurnituresetsarethesecondmost

searchedfortermonWyevaleGarden

Centres’websiteandbarbecuesthesixth.

Cookingismovingoutintothegarden,witha

growingpopularityforlargerbarbecuesthat

incorporateshelving,storageandactalmost

asoutdoorkitchens.

Gardenersarealsobuyingcandles,chimeneas

andoutdoorrugstohelpmaketheirgardens

atmosphericandtoallowthemtostayoutside

laterintotheevenings.WyevaleGarden

Centreshassignificantlyincreaseditsoutdoor

livingpropositionfor2018toincludewider

rangesofmirrors,cushions,ornamentsand

otherdecorativegardenaccessories.

SalesofBBQsareup20%

YoYatWyevaleGardenCentres.

Softfurnishingsforthe

gardenareontherise,with

patternedoutdoorcushionsales

up23%YoYin2017.

Outdoor entertaining Thedinnerpartyisback...anditisgoingalfresco.

Stayinginisthenewgoingoutaswespend

moretimeentertaininginourhomesand

gardens.Thereisagrowingdesiretoturnthe

gardenintothe‘fifthroom’ofthehouse,and

furnitureandaccessoriestrendsarefollowing

suit.HavingbeeninvogueinEuropeforsome

time,gardenfurnitureintheUKhasgrown

morefunandrelaxed:casualdiningsets–low

slungsofasetsaroundtableswithinsertsfor

grillsoricebuckets–aregaininggroundon

traditionaloutdoordiningtables.

‘CasualDining’constituteda

thirdofsalesacrossOutdoor

LivingrangesatWyevaleGarden

Centresin2017.

“Inresponsetogrowingdemand,wehaveintroducedmorecasualdiningoptionsfor2018–theseoffertheperfecthalf-wayhousebetweenasofasetandadiningtable.Peoplearegenerallyuppingtheirgameintheirhomesandmakingthemmoresophisticatedandsmart,andtheywantthattocarryoverintotheirgardenstoo.”

CarolineMann,WyevaleGardenCentres’OutdoorFurnitureBuyer

Garden Trends Report 29

Summary Thisreporthascapturedthe

information,experience,andin-depth

understandingthatWyevaleGarden

Centreshasatitsfingertipstoforma

pictureofgardeningandgardeners

atthestartof2018.Thepictureis

encouraging,asnewwavesofamateur

gardenerspickuptheirspadesin

droves;whetherthatistheLate

Bloomers,MillennialGardeners,

Eco-GardenersortheEntertainers.

Gardeningisincreasingly

recognisedasacraftanda

comfort,asawayofconnecting

withpeopleeithervirtuallyorby

invitingthemaroundtoenjoy

yourefforts,ashealthgivingand

calming,andasaformofcreative

andsometimespoliticalexpression.

Thegardenersoftodayaredoing

itinlessspaceandwithlesstime

thananypreviousgardening

generationbeforethem,showing

theattractionofgettingyourhands

dirtyandproducingsomething

beautifulordelicious.

Manygardenershavenotbeen

taughttraditionallyorarrived

atgardeninginanytraditional

manner,butperhapsbecauseof

thisaretakinggardeninginnew

andexcitingdirections.

WyevaleGardenCentresis

determinedtokeepabreastofthese

trends,tohelpdemystifygardening

andtoprovidewhatgardeners

needinordertogardenintheir

ownuniqueway.Thechallenges

aregreat,but2018welcomes

newbreedsofenthusiasticand

demandinggardeners,andthe

opportunitiesaregreater.

PressEnquiries

FourBrand02036974200wyevalegardencentres@fourcommunications.com

WyevaleGardenCentreswyevalegardencentres.co.uk