Garden Trends for 2018

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

It has been a busy start to 2018 here at Vialii so we are slightly later than planned with our guide to garden trends for 2018. With the weather still not great for being outdoors it is the perfect time to curl up inside with a cuppa and plan what you want to do in the garden in the year ahead. Here are our tips to ensure you stay bang on trend for 2018…

COLOUR OF THE YEAR

The pantone colour of the year is Ultra Violet (Pantone 18-3838) so it’s a great excuse to add some stunning purple tones to your garden such as salva, lavandula, vinca, eryngium, nepeta and verbena!

GARDEN ART

Clients sometimes feel that garden art and water features are not for them but they can help add your own personal stamp on your garden. You add ornaments and pictures to your home after all so why not to your garden? From flamingos wading through your planting to a standing stone with water trickling down the edges there will be something to suit your style. Adding a corten steel lantern can look great as well as being practical. Or a sculpture on a plinth can add height and guide you to a certain part of the garden (we are always talking to clients about creating journeys!) and can be a lot less money than you would expect.

Garden art by Vialii

TRY ONE NEW THING FOR 2018

Gardeners are always up for something new and there are always funky new things to try and grow in the garden. As well as giving our front garden an overhaul this year we care going to experiment with growing strawberry spinach this year. What new plant will you grow in 2018?

SMALL IS THE NEW BIG!

We are always telling clients that even the smallest of spaces can make an impact. From small back gardens to postage stamp sized front gardens we have created makeovers for the smallest of spaces, giving the maximum effect. There is always space for “journeys”, focal points and stunning planting. It’s just about planning and carefully selecting the right materials and maximising space. It might be introducing raised planters which make the most use of height as well as doubling up on somewhere and considering planting vertically.

A small garden designed by Vialii

WILDLIFE GARDENING

Encouraging wildlife into your garden need not mean you let your garden get overgrown. It may not be a new theme for 2018 but it’s as important as ever. From beautiful birdhouses and stylish feeders to funky bug hotels and bee houses there are architectural homes for wildlife as well designed as their human counterparts! And of course by giving consideration to the planting you add to your garden you can easily attract lots of wildlife.

OUTDOOR ROOMS

Creating an outdoor space where you can both dine and relax is an important part of the designs we do. Choosing the right location and that might not always be just outside the kitchen door. We think carefully about where to build patios, looking at aspect, views, planting and of course those “journeys” we always talk about. Why would you want to sit right beside a brick wall if you can sit in a sunny, peaceful, private corner of your garden surrounded by fragrant planting?

A garden designed by Vialii

CONSIDER YOUR BOUNDARY

Creating good boundaries in your garden is really important both for privacy and security as well as creating a cohesive backdrop for your garden and planting. From handsome hedges to fabulous fences there are lots of options to suit your house style, setting and budget. Our top tip for 2018 is to paint your fences slate grey, a wonderful backdrop to show off planting to its best.

A garden designed by Vialii with slate grey fence

Most importantly we just want you all to get outside and enjoy your garden as much as you can in 2018. If you need any advice on any areas please get in touch for a free design consultation.

Vialii