Bare tree branches protrude from the snowy ground, with a blurred branch in the foreground. The scene looks cold and wintry, with a white snow-covered field and sparse vegetation.

The branches lay upon the snow like the skeletal remains of a great beast whose carcass had been ravaged and cleaned.  These were the bones and inclinations of a decade passed.

Close-up of a vibrant purple flower in a field of wildflowers, with yellow and blue flowers and green stems blurred in the background on a cloudy day.

Now, that we have entered a new year and new decade, 2020 has introduced some exciting gardening trends, and they seem to have a common theme – native, sustainable, low maintenance, utilitarian, and wonderfully wild.

Close-up of a pink coneflower with an orange center, surrounded by more coneflowers and green foliage in a garden. The background is softly blurred.

Native Plants

Native, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “living or growing naturally in a particular region (indigenous)”.   Native plants are generally low maintenance and flourish without need for supplemental watering, fertilizing or pruning.  They also tend to attract pollinators and sustain local wildlife.

A close-up of a purple thistle flower in a wildflower field, with yellow and purple flowers blurred in the green background.

Wildlife-Friendly Landscapes

Diversity, diversity, diversity!  In addition to flowering plants, look to plants that offer supplemental food sources, like berries and seeds.  Offer water, sheltering sites, and protection from the elements.  Allow shrubs to grow in their natural form, and let spent perennials stand through the Winter.

Close-up of a cluster of small, red berries on a branch with green leaves and a blurred leafy background. Some berries have dark spots on their tips.

Edible Aesthetics

Vegetables, edible flowers, and fruit bearing plants are both beautiful and useful.

A close-up of a blue hibiscus flower in bloom with a second bud about to open, surrounded by green leaves and stems, against a blurred garden background.

Dwarf Hybrids

When space is an issue, you don’t have to forgo your favorite plants.  Look to Dwarf Hybrids.  Not only do they require less room, they also require less pruning.

A close-up of a cluster of small white and pale pink flowers with long stamens, surrounded by dark purple-brown leaves on a blurred outdoor background.

Dark Foliage

Add plants with red, purple or blackish leaves for instant contrast and interest.

A yellow flower in sharp focus stands out in a sunlit meadow, surrounded by blurred wildflowers and greenery, with sunlight streaming through the trees in the background.

Ready to throw convention to the wind, and become a trend setter?  Reach out to Sweeney’s today, and we’ll help you incorporate some or ALL of these wonderfully wild, sustainable and stunning trends into your garden this year.  It’s never too early to get started!

Plant of the Week

A cluster of green and red berries growing on a leafy stem, with a blurred outdoor background.

Big Lifeberry® Goji Berry

Deciduous shrub produces showy purple flowers in Spring followed by small green berries that ripen to a bright red when they’re ready to be harvested.  Goji Berry will continue to produce fruit from late Summer until the first frost.  Prefers sun to partial sun, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 4-6′ tall and 4-6′ wide.  Extra large fruit can be used in savory recipes.  Can be grown in containers as well.

“We need the tonic of wildness.”

-Henry David Thoreau

Warm wishes,

Kim Sweeney