During Covid-19, gardens became a safe haven for healing from the stresses and pressures that the pandemic brought, with over 63% of the British population stating being in their garden significantly boosted their mental health during this challenging time. 

But, as we move into 2023, are we guaranteed the same love of the great outdoors?

At LeisureBench, we are hopeful the delight of pottering in your exterior will stand firm in 2023. 

To help keep reignite the passion for all things green, we have crafted a list of garden trends— from budget-friendly DIY to outgoing colour palettes that bring much-needed serotonin to your mind and planters over the summer months.

Consider Your Layout

Before we dive into trends, let's consider your garden layout and how to get the most out of your outside area. 

Large Gardens: Large gardens can become very wild very quickly. We recommend adding a patioed area with a dining set or sofa for somewhere to host family for barbecues and garden parties. 

Add large pots with tall plants for dramatic flora and fauna, and get creative with your borders by incorporating dynamic edging and unique lines. 

Zoning the garden into different areas will help make the space manageable and keep it clutter free from kids' toys.

Small Gardens: For small gardens, we recommend incorporating some sharp decorative lines into your space; think large stones, self-made borders with wooden planters and zoned decking areas. 

Adding some small retro furnishings will give you somewhere to enjoy alfresco dining without taking up too much space. 

Yards: Gardens with no grass can often go neglected. However, planting a raised bed with some greenery, such as ferns and elephants ear, will bring a lovely element of nature to your space. 

Add in a bistro set, and you’re well on your way to enjoying summer nights. 

Balconies: Similar to yards, small balconies can often be left bare. Having some folding furniture is a great option for eating outdoors or catching the morning sun with a coffee. 

Fold it away and enjoy a social space to gather and have drinks with your friends and family. We recommend adding one or two tall trees in pots for a calming vibe; Acer and Olive trees are our favourite options. 

Space considered, let's move on to LeisureBenches’ predictions for garden trends in 2023.

Greek Garden

Stone features, pale grey colour palettes and fruit trees are staples to incorporate this trend into your garden. 

Hexagonal planters will look excellent for this popular decor choice; plant them with lavender bushes, cypress trees and dried herbs like thyme and mint for a sensory sensation. 

Top Tip: Raise your patio above your greenery, add climbing planters to shade your table and chairs from the sunshine, and enjoy comfortable tapas in the sun. 

Drought Tolerant

2022 saw the driest summer season in nearly 30 years; experts warn that another drought could be around the corner. Planting up your garden with drought-tolerant plants like; bougainvillaea, lavender and ceanothus are great options to keep your garden fresh. 

A great and sustainable way to water your plants when an inevitable hosepipe ban rolls around is to collect pots of rainwater (if there is any!) or reuse bath or paddling pool water. 

Terracotta Trend

A staple in any garden, terracotta pots always stay in style. However, this year it's expected to spill from our planters to our fauna, garden furniture, and even our interior for an authentic Med vibe.

The pigment in our Devon collection will look fantastic alongside some terracotta pots. Fill your borders with orange cosmos and marigolds for a little pocket of sunshine on your doorstep, and add some clashing deep crimson dahlias for a visual delight.

Work-from-home ready   

As more and more people work from home, gardens have become an extension of their interior. 

Set up an outdoor workstation with a table and chairs for a relaxing haven to improve your productivity, don’t forget to add a parasol for a shady spot to escape harmful rays. 

We all know houseplants significantly increase our mental health; the same goes for outdoor plants, too; adding trees like Photinia and Acer will bring the benefits of forest bathing to your back garden and a touch of mindfulness to your work day. 

Budget Friendly Gardening 

We’re all feeling the sting of the cost of living crisis. Some great budgeting tips to have your garden looking fabulous without breaking the bank are; to shop second-hand and plant perennials that will return year after year instead of seasonal summer bedding. 

Other great tips are buying from seed or bare root, exercising patience to get your garden looking its best, planting easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce and potatoes, and growing herbs in small pots. 

Shop sustainably; recycled plastic garden furniture is built to last without damaging the environment.  

Climate Change 

Thinking about sustainable furniture, the most significant trend in 2023 we are set to see in gardens is consideration of planet Earth. 

Turn your outdoor space into a garden of Eden. Think pollinators for bees, bird baths and insect houses; fill your planters with dahlia and verbenas in sunny spots, and watch your garden attract butterflies. 

If you live in a shadier location, anemones and geraniums will look beautiful, withstand the lack of sun, and help out our pollinators. 

Japandi 

Not just an interior design trend — Japandi is also proving popular in garden spaces. Think beautiful minimalist style, interesting asymmetry, sculpted lines in furniture and natural materials such as Teak wood. 

At LeisureBench, we want to help you create the garden of your dreams. Contact us for any information; we will be happy to help you.