Better Homes And Gardens October 2021 Cover

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Looking for garden and outdoor living ideas for 2021? New research has uncovered the top trends set to dominate next year — and balconies, wildlife-friendly plants and garden furniture have all topped the list.

The team at Love The Garden analysed over 100 different gardening hashtags on Instagram to find out which themes we would be tapping into. 'We were able to find those trends growing in popularity and set to become even more dominant in 2021. So, as you start looking ahead to the next growing season, here are the trends to start thinking about,' explain the team.

Take a look at the top 10 emerging trends below...

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1 Balcony gardening

At the top of the list is balcony gardening, with more than 96,817 Instagram posts. For 2021, we'll see more city-dwellers turning their balconies into urban jungles with comfy furnishings, glorious plants, and accessories.

The team advise: 'The plants you'll need will depend on your chosen look, but by opting for the likes of jasmine, lavender, foxglove, bamboo, eucalyptus, snake plants, and peace lilies, you can't go wrong.'

2 Wild gardens

Make your own haven for bees, birds, butterflies and hedgehogs by letting plants and flowers grow wild. More so now than ever, gardeners are planting flowers to encourage wildlife and insects. Not sure where to start? Opt for single-flowering varieties of plants and open flowers.

'To really get the look, aesthetically long wild grass is ideal as are plant vines that ramble over fences or walls – they can hide these human-made structures and create a wild and untamed look in just a single season,' add the team.

3 Inside Outside

Our gardens are an extension of our indoor spaces, so 2021 will see more of us tap into outdoor sofas, garden rugs, outdoor cushions and potted plants.

'The inside outside garden trend is all about creating flow from your inside space to your outdoor space, so one naturally flows into the other,' say the team. 'Choose plants that work both indoors and out to create a transition between the living and outside space. Good options include geranium, boxwood and calla lily.'

4 Tiny gardens

'With a tiny garden, it's all about making the space look bigger,' they explain. 'Options include growing up to use your vertical space, laying borders, having clear pathways, and creating specific zones or outdoor rooms.'

When it comes to plants, brighten up your space with eye-popping perennials (such as Geranium Rozanne and Geum) and climbers, too.

READ MORE: 9 small garden design ideas on a budget

5 Raised garden beds

The fifth trend to have on your radar for next year is raised garden beds. While they're nothing new in the exciting world of horticulture, the straightforward design has certainly picked up momentum in recent months.

'By building a raised wooded garden bed, not only do you create a fantastic feature in your outside space, it's an ideal option if you don't have a lot of room in your garden.

'You can also gain better control over the soil, reduce soil compaction and care for your plants much easier. The choice of wood is up to you – for a real rustic look, old railway sleepers work well,' the team explain.

6 Permaculture gardening

This holistic approach to gardening — also known as 'permanent agriculture' — is one that works with natural forces to provide food, shelter and water for your garden. From the wind, sun and rain, the key principle behind a permaculture garden is that you are replicating patterns of growth and harvest that occur naturally.

Why not give this a go...

7 White garden

Whether it's dazzling white furniture or gorgeous flowers, white gardens have risen in popularity over recent years — and they're not going anywhere in 2021.

'Key steps to create a white garden include choosing a dark backdrop, varying up the foliage and changing up shapes and sizes, repeating form, and finally adding some eye-catching white flowers to fill the space.'

8 Windowsill garden

Whether you live in a flat or share a house with others, make the most of your windowsill by transforming it into an Insta-worthy indoor jungle. Some of the best plants to consider include ones that will add a little something extra to your cooking; try herbs, chilli, kale, baby beetroot, pea shoots, onion and spinach.

9 Grey gardens

Grey might be one of the most popular paint colours for the home, but 2021 will see many of us trickling it through to our outdoor spaces.

The team advise: 'With a grey garden, you want to match your choice of plants with your grey man-made touches to really complement and make the colour pop. Purple is a fantastic colour to match with grey. We just love a little lavender.'

10 Cottage gardens

The final trend set to dominate 2021 is cottage gardens — and it's easy for everyone to achieve with a little know-how.

'You can immediately pick out a cottage garden. It's such a distinct style. Key design features are an informal style with use of traditional materials, and dense plantings with a mixture of ornamental and edible plants. Remember, it's all about grace and charm.'

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