Top Gardening Trends for 2023 | Nature Hills

Stay on top of new gardening and landscaping methods with the help of Nature Hills Nursery! Check out what the New Year holds for you and your garden!

In addition to loads of fantastic new and exciting plants and ways to combine them, but also tons of great new ecological practices for you to employ in your garden that will help everyone and everything have a happier and healthier new year!

So let's jump into 2023 with a fresh batch of great new ideas!

1. New Patterns, Color & Sizes!
2. Houseplants Galore!
3. Food Sustainability
4. Messy Yards & Smaller Lawns
5. Backyard Zen
Welcome 2023!

1. Patterns, Color Combinations & Size!

Big bold leaves with intriguing patterns and textures have always caught the eye of many gardeners! Fascinating variegated foliage and multi-color leaves in new shapes and sizes are irresistible! The trend continues with new and unique leaf and flower shapes! There are so many new and unique color combinations that are coming our way!

There is also a trend for smaller, compact-sized plants! So that even if you don’t have a yard or garden, you can still enjoy your own porch, patio, and balcony landscape!

Why not include the new Pantone® color of the year Viva Magenta 18-1750 in your garden this year and be a step ahead of the neighbors? Nature Hills offers many magenta foliage plants and magenta blooms for you to choose from!

2. Houseplant Mania!

As we continue being homebodies, in what is hopefully the tail end of a pandemic, gardening indoors is still going strong! Hand in hand with this trend is doing more with less room, growing vertically, saving space, and incredible large-leafed houseplant displays! The same applies to indoor gardening! With so many new and exciting houseplants coming your way, you can fill your home with green (and every color you can think of) for year-round interiorscaping!

New trends include large leaves, colorful leaves, and climbing or hanging tropicals for you to enjoy! High-impact foliage, compact size, and ease of care - without taking up loads of space! Find new and exciting houseplants, Kokedama plants, terrariums, Bonsai, and more for your indoor garden-scaping!

Not just contributing to your peace of mind, relaxation, and beautifying your home, houseplants purify the air and refresh the indoor atmosphere. So go ahead and consider yourself a 'Plant Parent' all you want - now with more choices and variety available to you! And now there’s a world of ways to get your plants delivered to your doorstep!

3. Food Sustainability

With many of us staying at home more, the desire to eat organic or local, or just wanting the easy availability of fresh produce, the resurgence of the Victory Garden to keep us fed and busy has gained a new foothold! The incredible variety of plants and amount of information available to home vegetable gardeners, plus convenient ways to receive new plant material and seeds mean even the biggest homebody never has to leave the house to enjoy larger, easy-access variety!

To keep up with the Joneses, and conform to HOA standards, the availability of gorgeous ornamental plants that also serve up a bounty of fresh produce is becoming increasingly widely accepted! After all, why shouldn’t your landscaping pull double-duty and become edible landscaping?

4. Messy Yards & Shrinking Lawns = Less Water & Less Fuel Use

As we continue to find all these fantastic new plant varieties and expand our veggie and herb gardens, that front lawn has been shrinking and shrinking every year! Combined with smaller properties and less space, water shortages and restrictions, less room overall, and HOAs, both front and backyard lawns are shrinking in size to make room for gardens and outdoor rooms!

Less lawn means less herbicide use, pesticides, less water, and less work! Not all trends are heading towards completely replacing the turf, some of the new ideas are to simply replace turf grass with alternatives, or with meadows and prairies that are a cinch to care for and need much less water. Shrinking the size of your lawn also helps with reducing the need for frequent watering, pesticides, less fuel for gas lawnmowers, reduce pollution and chemical dependency.

The increasing need for more xeric and water-wise plants, as well as methods of caring for your landscape without adding to pollution and chemical use, are on the rise. Using native plants and xeric choices helps reduce water usage as well as lowers your reduces maintenance (saves you time!) and expense! Choosing battery-operated or hand tools helps not only to get around all this but gives you a workout too!

Having messy gardens and the “Leave The Leaves” trend to help out pollinators and beneficial insects, plus planting landscaping with wildlife and birds in mind has also continued with rising urgency. Leaf litter and messy gardens are places for creatures to thrive in, forage in, hide and take shelter all winter. It’s where their eggs and larvae can take refuge, and often where their cocoons hide as they pupate before hatching.

Waiting until mid-spring and temperatures have warmed up allows these eggs and cocoons to hatch before that lawn debris is whisked away to the compost bin or yard waste bags in the landfill. Or, consider using the leaves in place as mulch around the base of your newly planted annuals. This also saves you time, money, and work in the long run!

5. Backyard Zen

Minimalist and simplistic, relaxing spaces and meditative areas, and outdoor rooms for privacy help us that have been cooped up at home due to the pandemic feel more relaxed, less confined, and healthier - in mind, body, and spirit! They also take less work to keep maintained and tidy.

Creating a water garden, a secluded green space, or simply a garden bench by your favorite Rose bush or a reading chair beneath the shade of a tree counts as a great start. No yard? Carve out a nook on a balcony or porch for yourself to find some peace out in the fresh air.

New Year - New Landscape Ideas & Methodologies!

Jump into the 2023 New Year with a refreshed mind, body, spirit, and landscape - both indoors and out - with new trends that are geared toward the health and benefit of everyone and everything in mind! Whether we continue to spend more time at home or not, we can get back outdoors to the fullest! You will be ready to continue making your home landscape a sanctuary!

Nature Hills is proud to be here for you since 2001 and will continue to be here with amazing new plant varieties and colors, new garden trends and methods, as well as great new ideas for your landscape! Ring in 2023 with new plants, fresh minds, better health, and loads of new ideas!

Happy Planting in 2023 and beyond!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my soil needs improving before I start planting this season?

Healthy soil should be dark, crumbly, and teeming with earthworm activity, while compacted, pale, or waterlogged soil signals a need for amendment. The most reliable way to assess your soil is to send a sample to your local cooperative extension office for a full pH and nutrient analysis, which typically costs under $20 and tells you exactly what your soil is missing. For most garden plants, you want a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 and at least 6 inches of loose, workable soil depth. Start by getting that soil test done this late winter or early spring so you have time to incorporate compost, lime, or sulfur before planting season begins.

What soil amendments help vegetables and flowers thrive in 2023 garden trends?

While the 2023 gardening trends focus on bold foliage, compact plants, and food sustainability, success with vegetables and flowers starts with well-amended soil regardless of the style you choose. Work 2 to 3 inches of compost into your beds each spring to improve drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient availability for both edible and ornamental plantings. For container gardens and patio displays, which are especially on-trend this year, use a high-quality potting mix blended with slow-release granular fertilizer to support the compact, high-impact plants that are leading the charge in 2023. Visit Nature Hills Nursery at naturehills.com to explore the latest plant selections and get expert advice on setting up your garden for a thriving new season.

When should I start seeds indoors to stay ahead of the latest planting trends?

Starting seeds indoors is typically done 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date, which varies depending on your USDA Hardiness Zone. For most gardeners in Zones 5 and 6, this means starting seeds in late February to mid-March, while those in warmer Zones 7 and 8 can begin as early as January or February. With 2023 trending toward bold foliage, compact plants, and vibrant magenta tones inspired by Pantone's color of the year, focus your seed-starting efforts on varieties that deliver high visual impact. Check your local frost dates at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, then count back 6 to 8 weeks to determine your ideal seed-starting window.

How do I find the best time to plant vegetables based on my local climate?

The best time to plant vegetables depends on your USDA Hardiness Zone and your local last frost date, which you can find by entering your zip code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and peas can be direct sown 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date, while warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash should go in the ground only after all frost danger has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Visit your local cooperative extension office website for a precise planting calendar tailored to your specific region and start planning your vegetable garden today.

How can I protect my garden from pests without relying on harsh chemicals?

While the article does not specifically address chemical-free pest control, Nature Hills recommends leaning into ecological gardening practices that naturally discourage pests. Planting a diverse mix of companion plants, incorporating pollinator-friendly species, and embracing some of the messier, wilder yard trends of 2023 can all help establish a balanced ecosystem where beneficial insects keep pest populations in check. Visit naturehills.com to explore plant combinations that support a healthier, more resilient garden naturally.

What are the most effective ways to keep weeds under control all season long?

While this article focuses on 2023 gardening trends, weed control is a timeless concern for every gardener. Applying a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch in early spring before soil temperatures warm is your best first line of defense, as it blocks light and prevents weed seeds from germinating. For persistent weeds, hand-pull them after rainfall when soil is loose, making sure to remove the entire root system. Combine mulching with a pre-emergent herbicide applied in early spring and again in early fall to keep weed pressure manageable all season long.

How do I choose trending plants that actually suit my space and growing zone?

Start by identifying your USDA hardiness zone and the light conditions of your specific space, whether that is a shaded balcony, sunny patio, or indoor room. In 2023, trending compact and smaller-sized plants are a great fit for limited spaces like porches and patios, while large-leafed tropicals and climbing houseplants work beautifully indoors where they can grow vertically without taking up floor space. Browse Nature Hills Nursery at naturehills.com to filter plants by zone and size, and look for bold foliage in trending colors like Pantone's Viva Magenta to find options that are both stylish and suited to your growing conditions.

How should I adjust my care routine to keep plants healthy during heat waves and drought?

During heat waves and drought, water deeply and less frequently to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week delivered slowly at the base of the plant rather than overhead. Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce how often you need to water. Water in the early morning so plants can absorb moisture before peak afternoon heat causes evaporation. Focus extra attention on newly planted trees and shrubs, container plants, and anything growing in zones 7 and above, as these will show heat stress first and need the most consistent monitoring.

How are gardeners updating their landscaping to match the biggest trends of 2023?

Gardeners in 2023 are embracing bold, patterned foliage with variegated and multi-colored leaves, incorporating the Pantone color of the year Viva Magenta 18-1750 into their plantings, and shifting toward compact, space-saving plants suited for porches, patios, and balconies. Indoors, the focus is on large-leafed tropicals, climbing and hanging houseplants, and creative displays like Kokedama, terrariums, and Bonsai. To stay current, browse Nature Hills Nursery for magenta-blooming plants and compact varieties that work in any space, whether you have a full backyard or just a small balcony.

Gardening Trends For 2023!