The Latest Miniature Gardening Trends for 2020

Can you believe it is already December again? Everywhere you look, you can find end-of-year wrap-ups, “best of” lists, and slideshows commemorating the most memorable events of 2019. The year came and went in a flash. No doubt, yours was filled with a mix of highs and lows, and peppered with adventures in the miniature garden. Did you try out any new plants? Add some new fairies or pixies? Perhaps you completely re-themed your raised beds or made a container garden for the first time.

No matter what you accomplished in 2019, there is plenty to look forward to in the coming year. As gardeners, winter always has us on the lookout for spring. Today, we are sharing the top trends in miniature gardening for 2020. These are the things to be thinking about, looking out for, and planning around in 2020. There is little time to waste, as spring will be here before we know it! It is time to dive in.

Vertical Gardening

The world as we know it continues to become more urban. People are flocking to the cities, and apartments are becoming smaller. Funny how that works! Homeowners are feeling the pinch too, as home sizes shrink. This is enough to make us all a little claustrophobic, but there is good news: with limited space comes tons of possibility for the miniature garden.

One trend in small-space gardening is on every “what to expect in 2020” list this year. What is it? Vertical gardening! One classic way to try out this trend is to use a fence or a wall in your garden as a display for plants. Consider creeping varieties such as Ficus pumila, Muehlenbeckia complexa, garden clematis, wisteria, or climbing roses. Even a small vertical display can create a lush backdrop for your fairy garden.

You can also “go vertical” with wall vases and wall planters. These work well both inside the home and outside in the garden. On a porch or balcony, you can use elevated planters to bring plants and container gardens off of the floor.  When you start looking at the walls and space around you, the possibilities for vertical gardening seem almost endless.

Popular Colors for 2020

Each year, without fail, certain colors begin to emerge as favorites in gardens across the country. While one cannot know with 100% certainty what the most popular colors of the new year will be, those familiar with the latest trends have pointed out two distinct possibilities:

• Blue. Rich berry-blues, juicy purples, and sky-like ceruleans have always been a hit in the garden, but some are predicting that 2020 will be a particularly big year for this set of colors. In the miniature garden, plants like Ageratum, Hawaii Blue and Hosta, Blue Mouse Ears show off their moody blue hues. Add a few details like blue glass pebbles or a blue bistro set, and your miniature garden will be exactly on-trend in the new year.
• Dark and moody. In a garden, darker colors give the illusion of more space. Think of deep red, black, and purple. Some say Black Mondo Grass has the darkest foliage of any perennial. Use it in bunches around your fairy garden. Another purple-black plant is Leptinella squalida, Platt’s Black. It creates a dark ground cover that can stand up to foot traffic. Finally, Purple Split Rock comes in a deep purple shade and unique shape that will stand out.

Symmetry

Last, but certainly not least, is symmetry. Trend-spotters expect symmetry to be stylish in both full-size and miniature gardens in 2020. You can add symmetry to the fairy garden with just a few simple changes. Add a pair of miniature trees on either side of a gate. Nestle a fairy cottage in-between two miniature plants. Plant flowers along pathways, taking care to feature the same number on each side.

Symmetry works especially well in Zen miniature gardens and sand gardens. Miniature accessories, when placed carefully in a Zen garden, leave room for the mind to roam.