25 Garden Trends
May 2006
By Jayne Haugen Olson and Melissa Colgan
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Ten years ago, gardening was all the rage. We flocked to the
garden centers as if gardening was something new. But really, it was the natural
next frontier for Americans as we realized that our connection to home extended
beyond the foundation and that gardens needn’t be confined to yards. Let’s hope
our newfound relationship to nature is here to stay. As we once again open our
porches, set up our patios, and watch our landscapes spring to life, we went in
search of new finds for your home—inside and out.
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1. Black & White
From fashion to home décor, garden influences are everywhere.
This season’s stylized flowers on crisp black-and-white dinnerware makes a big
statement. Add linens with the accent color of your choice to make your
tablescape work indoor or out. Dinner
plates, bowls, cup and saucer, tea pot, and sugar bowl, $27–$204, all from
Bianconero Collection by Missoni. Dahlia salad plates, $10 each, by
Waechtersbach. Indigo Silhouette napkin and place mats, $8–$10. Yamazaki
silverware, sixty-five-piece set, $675. All items from Marshall Field’s, 612-375-2200 2. Individuality
Artistry in the garden can take many forms. A swirling blend
of color in an ever-blooming perennial garden or multiple shades of green formed
by an assortment of foliage, shapes, and textures. We photographed our
black-and-white dishes among the Japanese irises at the Marshall Field’s and
Bachman’s Spring Flower Show, where thousands toured the inspirational display
of lush works infused with a stark and modern undertone. This year’s show was
one of the best. Don’t let the pressure of getting it right hold you back from
expressing yourself in your own garden. There really aren’t any rules, except to
tend to it and make it your own.
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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3. Garden Seating
Place a bench within your garden so you can enjoy your
garden from within it. We love this seat inspired by Parisian wrought iron
balconies. Over time, plants will easily grow through and around the grooves and
open spaces, eventually making the bench a part of your garden. Panisse bench, $395. Smith & Hawken, Galleria,
952-285-1110; St. Paul, 651-222-1140; The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, 763-488-1876
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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4. Alpines
The plant needs to suit the site. A slope or hill in your
yard may be the perfect spot to create a rock garden. The plants that will be
happiest among the rocks are alpines. (True alpines are native to mountainous
regions and grow in crevices.) But any plant that is dwarf, mat- or
cushion-forming, lower-growing, or tufted falls within the broader definition.
No rocky slope in your landscape? For a similar effect, choose a planter
chiseled from stone, such as this Gandalf-like alpine container, which is also
available as a statue. Plants and
sculptures from Highland Nursery, 1742 W. 7th St., St. Paul,
651-698-1708
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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5. The New Hydrangea
St. Paul’s Bailey’s Nurseries introduction of the Endless
Summer Hydrangea three years ago took the gardening world by storm. It was hardy
and bloomed on old and new wood. New
for 2006 is Blushing Bride, a new variety with white blooms, blush pink florets,
and deep green foliage. The big-blooming ornamental flowers from the end of June
until the fall frost and is happy in partly shady or sunny areas. Watch for it
at independent garden centers.
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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6. Floral-inspired Fabrics
Decorating with overpowering floral patterns has given way to
taking design cues from a flower’s color and texture as well as its bloom. As in
your garden, a variety of textures in one color family can have dramatic
results. The fabrics here from Designers Guild offer fresh takes on classic
patterns in textured crushed velvet (seat) and a flocked-floral (large pillow).
And, yes, flocking is making a comeback.
KDR Designer Showroom, International Market Square, 612-332-0402
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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7. Urban Sanctuary
Even the tiniest spaces—indoors or out—benefit from the
calming effects of a garden. Choose soothing organic colors, a bubbling
fountain, and lush, leafy green plants to create a subtle, meditative haven.
From the roughness of the rocks to the fluidity of the water, we were drawn to
this display at Tangletown Gardens for the variety of textures in the
setting and its soft pewter, gray, and granite color scheme. 5353 Nicollet Ave., Mpls., 612-822-4769
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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8. Contemporary Outdoor Furniture
Clean, modern landscapes call for sophisticated garden
furniture, and this year, there are more options than ever. We love the contrast
in the rough wood of the Montego table and clean lines of the Rio chairs with
the soft colors and textures of a garden setting. The table is created from
stainless steel and ipê, a strong, dense South American hardwood that, left
untreated, will patinate into a beautiful silvery gray over time. Montego table, $699-$899. Rio chair, $79
each. Room & Board, 7010 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-927-8835
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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9. Patio Plates
If you’re too busy for colorful plantings on your patio,
bring the color to your table. Funky plates from Target’s Random Acts of Summer
line are lightweight, ceramic, and perfect for patio barbecues and poolside
picnics. Round decal dinner plate, $3.99.
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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10. Container Plantings
No flower bed? Create a mini garden in a pretty pot. But just
as you would never combine plaids, prints, and polka dots, mixing too many types
of plants within your pots looks careless. Instead, select various textures, but
similar colors, and place varying planters throughout your garden or on your
patio or balcony. And don’t forget
that the vessel is an important part of the equation. Choose a pot that best
suits your setting or desired outcome. Today you’ll find antique and
contemporary, stainless steel, copper, concrete, stone, and iron, plus a
wonderful selection of colorful glazes. If you’re not up for the mess of a DIY
project, many garden stores, such as Nature’s Harvest, which created this
container for us, will do it for you. 320
E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata, 952-473-4687
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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11. Contemporary Classics
The traditional forms long associated with more formal
gardens—urns, birdbaths, arbors, and sundails—are being reinterperated for
gardeners looking to bring these same elements to their modern landscapes. This
German-engineered sundail by Blomus stands five feet tall and makes a striking
statement in stainless steel. $699. Tangletown Gardens, 5353 Nicollet Ave.,
Mpls., 612-822-4769
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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12. Public Gardens
The solution for urban loft dwellers with itchy green thumbs?
A trip to one of the metro’s twenty-seven public gardens. Enthusiasts flock to
Como, Harriet, Eloise Butler, and other gardens for inspiration, enjoyment, and
the perfect setting for a picnic. Connoisseurs head north to St. Cloud’s Clemens
Munsinger gardens (shown) for explosions of fragrance and color and inspiring
symmetry created by the intricate and creative trimming of trees, hedges, and
bushes. 320-255-7216
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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13. Faux Moss
Some gardeners are too impatient to wait years for garden
objects to develop a patina. Fiberglass ornaments with a faux terra cotta and
moss finish are ready to fill your garden’s cozy nooks and provide an attractive
vintage appearance of weathered stone. Your guests will be none the wiser. Sphere, $29. Lion, $69. Antoinette Wall
Fountain, $199. Smith & Hawken, Galleria, 952-285-1110; St. Paul,
651-222-1140; The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, 763-488-1876
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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14. Water Gardens
Water gardens create both a sanctuary and a natural habitat.
Long used in Asia, ornamental ponds create a sustainable habitat in
your garden, housing fish and aquatic plants and attracting birds, butterflies,
and other wildlife. There are many options, but the most important thing is to
make sure a pond fits the surrounding landscape and environment. You’ll see some
of the best local water gardens and gather inspiration and ideas at the Parade
of Ponds annual garden tour.
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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15. Art in the Garden
Original works of art are making their way into our
landscapes. A trip to the Uptown Art Fair introduced us to Jim Hanson’s
unrefined stone garden art, including benches, birdbaths, and bridges. The
organic, structural pieces are designed around the individual characteristics of
the stone, and whether snuggled under a tree or used as a focal point, these
works are beautiful in less formal gardens as well. Starting at $300. 651-248-2260
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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16. Garden Clogs
You needn’t be a constant gardener to own a pair of clogs,
or, in this case, Sloggers, that are soft, lightweight, and easy to clean. Keep
yours tucked near the back door for quick trips to water your pots or hose off
the dog. Once you’ve owned a pair, you’ll never soil your good soles again. Clogs, $14.99. Boots, $24.99. Target
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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17. Koi
Add aesthetically pleasing and colorful koi to your water
garden this season. They come in
numerous varieties and colors, some even have sunlight-attracting
metallic-like silver scales. Since koi can grow quite large, they require a
larger and deeper pond. To protect these colorful creatures, create elevated
overhangs to your pond so predators cannot reach in or see the fish from above.
Find koi and pond supplies at Hedberg
Landscape Supplies. Five metro locations
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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18. Succulents
With soft, muted greens, pinks, and yellows and thick, fleshy
leaves, the Echiveria, Cryptanthus, and Kalanchoe succulents look great in
rustic terra cotta pots or on a vintage Chinese granite riser (shown)—and add
fabulous texture to outdoor spaces. Traditionally a desert plant, the
succulent’s ability to store water in its stem makes it a low-maintenance indoor
addition during the winter months. All
items available at Tangletown Gardens, 5353 Nicollet Ave., Mpls., 612-822-4769
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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19. New Shrubs
Dazzling blooms, fabulous foliage, and a huge variety of
sizes and forms await gardeners who shift their attention to shrubs. Nancy Rose,
woody plant expert with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, notes the
following new introductions as having particular merit—and all are Zone 4
hardy. Read more.
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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20. Create a Habitat
A well-designed landscape offers food, water, and protection
for birds. Add houses so they will also have a place to nest. Most houses can be
either hung or mounted, and placing a few around your yard will give birds
feeding options. Our functional picks include a cedar log house with a patinaed
copper dome that comes in both wren and chickadee sizes, a cedar house for
chickadees, and a redwood wild-bird nesting box. $38–$45. Yardware, 3545 W. 44th St., Mpls.,
612-922-3295
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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21. Fire Pits
A fire pit has become almost prerequisite for Twin Cities
patios, extending your outdoor season—on both ends—with the welcome warmth. And
like moths to a flame, you and your guests will be drawn to it’s engaging
properties. This chunky iron pit by Oré is both striking and capable of handling
a big blaze. $779. Tangletown Gardens,
5353 Nicollet Ave., Mpls., 612-822-4769
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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22. Architecture
More and more landscapes are being driven by architecture.
The European-styled walled garden of this Minneapolis landscape was a collaboration
between homeowners and design professionals. Plants and architectural elements
blend into the surrounding area, and the placement of shrubbery and flowers
emphasizes the rectangular design. The strength of the project is in its
minimalism and coherence, not in following any particular trend, resulting in a
garden room that will sustain itself for years to come and grow better with age.
Conceptual planners, Tom Morin and John
Skogmo. Architect, Yunker Associates Architecture, Inc., Rehn Hassell, AIA.
Landscape design, Sarah Nettleton Architects Ltd., Sarah Nettleton, AIA, and
Christine Albertsson, AIA. General contractor, Choice Wood. Landscape
contractor, Kerker, Inc.
Photo by John Wagner and Mike Hendrickson
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