Take a good look at the new garden trends set to dominate garden design in 2026. It's a great way to find inspiration and innovative ideas to breathe new life into a tired-looking yard. There is no better time to do this than in winter, when the garden is dormant, as this gives you more time to plan.
Staying up to date with the latest garden trends is key, whether you're thinking about re-landscaping your whole backyard or looking for ways to maximize the space by utilizing an underused area. Or it could simply be that you feel you're not making the most of planting opportunities.
Either way, it's always a good idea to take a fresh look at your backyard to see what's working and what isn't. From the latest takes on planting to the landscaping trends that will transform your garden, we have all the expert ideas you need to switch things up and bring your garden up to date.
1. Curated Plant Collections
Collecting plants such as rare cultivars, new colors, and unusual variegations is predicted to be one of the big garden trends for 2026. "Collecting is making a comeback, especially with Gen Z and Millennials," says leading garden industry expert Katie Dubow, president of the Garden Media Group, which has just released its Garden Trends Report for 2026. "They're reclaiming individuality through collecting plants, a quiet rebellion against disposable culture."
There is a preference for layered, nostalgic, and curated environments, which growing your plant collection plays into perfectly. Katie likens it to creating a personal museum. "Plants, tools, and décor are no longer just functional. Instead, they’re storytelling pieces that connect memory, meaning, and design."
Think of it as a limited-edition approach where you refine your choices. Collectors range from specialists curating monstera varieties, those tapping into the demand for high-demand cultivars, and anyone who has a desire to curate their plants so they support pollinators in your garden, preserve ecosystems, and restore biodiversity.
2. Wildfire Resilience
As wildfire seasons become longer and more intense across the country, firescaping your backyard has never been more important, especially if you live in a high-risk area. Webinars on fire-resilient gardening, offered by Oregon State and the University of Maine Extension, are selling out fast.
The trend is for choosing plants that are less flammable, creating defensible zones around your property, mulching with gravel and rock, and choosing non-combustible landscaping materials to help prevent the spread of fire.
"Extreme fire events are becoming more frequent due to warmer and drying conditions," according to Adrienne Edwards and Rachel Schleiger, authors of Firescaping Your Home: A Manual for Readiness in Wildfire Country. "Living in fire-prone landscapes doesn't mean that you must get rid of all the vegetation within hundreds of feet of structures. Landscaping in fire country is more nuanced than that. The right firescaping strategy for your home will depend on your habitat."
Your state fire marshal will be able to help with a definitive list of approved materials and planting guides for your area.
3. Desert Modernism
The desert modernism design trend that's big for 2026 focuses on using the drought-tolerant native shrubs used in xeriscaping ideas, minimalist hardscaping featuring plenty of straight lines, and the idea of borrowing elements from the landscape beyond your property. One of the key ideas is to dissolve the boundary between indoor and outdoor living.
"Classically associated with Palm Springs, there are variations on desert modern design that are more rough around the edges that have now become tremendously popular," says design director Kevin Lenhart, of landscape build and design experts Yardzen. "The desert modernism aesthetic is popular from Joshua Tree to Tucson to Austin and beyond."
Using space effectively is everything with this trend. Plants are typically broadly spaced to reflect the expansive desert permaculture landscape it imitates, which tends to be dotted with plants rather than carpeted with them. "Designed landscapes tend to look best when they take a similar tack, strategically placing moments of planting while allowing plenty of empty space between," says Kevin.
4. Faded Petal Colors
"Faded petal is a pale, dusty color. It's a soft blush kissed by ash, quietly romantic yet distinctly grown up," says Katie Dubow. "Paired with earthy tones, lush foliage, and textures like weathered wood, it can be used to transform your garden into a serene, sophisticated sanctuary."
Think of romantic 'Cafe au Lait' dahlias, available at Burpee, which open a pale blush pink color then fade to a pretty pale peach. Other plants that perfectly encapsulate the faded petal shade and work in most garden spaces are 'American Lace'™ Pink Hydrangea, 'Ivory Blush' Rose, and 'October Magic Dawn'™ Camellia.
Faded petal is a gentle pink shade that's an asset in any planting scheme, whether traditional or modern. It will segue into cottage garden ideas and contemporary small garden ideas equally well, so it feels like an easy option to take your planting to the next level.
Bred by David Austin, this gorgeous rose is moderately fragrant and repeat blooming – it will flower in flushes throughout the growing season.
Featuring dinner-plate-sized blooms, Café au Lait is a gorgeous addition to any garden. The flowers are excellent for cutting and displaying.
The multi-hued blossoms of this shrub range from creamy white to soft pink, with some petals tinged strawberry red. It's a true faded petal look.
5. Patio Culture
Creating a place to relax and unwind is a primary motivation for many gardeners, with research showing that the patio is seen as an extension of the living room. 'Patio culture' is one of the garden trends that will be everywhere in 2026. It's all about extending your living space outside and maxing up the planting.
“There is more interest than ever in gardening on decks and patios,” says Katie Tamony, award-winning cultural trend expert at Monrovia. “We’re seeing the biggest increase in container gardening interest, a trend that reaches every demographic, especially gardeners who want elegant outdoor spaces that are low maintenance. They are creating whole gardens on their patios with beautiful containers.”
Gardeners are looking for plants that soften the hardscape of outdoor living areas, adding greenery, pops of color, and fragrant plants. Ferns, grasses, and broad-leafed evergreens are being used for structure and movement. Climbing vines such as jasmine or mandevilla add height and fragrance.
“Patio culture is all about pushing beyond having just a few annuals in your outdoor living area,” adds Tamony. "Just about every shrub and perennial can be grown in a container, offering more options for an elevated look.”
These garden trends will be everywhere in 2026 – but there's one you should definitely leave behind too. Now find out what it is.
The One Gardening Trend to Leave Behind
High-maintenance landscaping designs with perfect flower beds and immaculate lawns are out of favor and definitely the gardening trend to leave behind in 2026. The new approach to garden design means less intervention and instead letting nature take the lead. Low-input landscaping means celebrating unexpected outcomes instead of trying to control every little detail.
The theme of the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show was "Gardens of Tomorrow", inviting us to envision a future where our actions today nurture a healthier planet. Through the simple act of gardening, we plant seeds of hope for a greener future.
Allowing your garden to get messy is a key part of this relaxed approach. It means letting your lawn grow into a no-mow one to encourage biodiversity, choosing plants that support wildlife habitat, and encouraging naturalistic flower planting in borders rather than shoehorning plants into set designs.
Happily, it's a more low-maintenance style of gardening that frees you up to spend more time enjoying your outdoor space, too.
