TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - CRAIG MCGIBBON
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TRENDS
FOR YOUR GARDEN
POPULAR TRENDS IN GARDEN DESIGN, LANDSCAPING, SPECIAL FEATURES & PLANTING
BY CRAIG McGIBBON – JULY 2021
© CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI
-03
INTRODUCTION
BY CRAIG
If I had to sum up this year’s garden trends it would be
“the need for water”.
Whether this is in the form of a cascading fountain, a
gently bubbling water feature, a wildlife-attracting pond,
hot tubs, stock tanks or swimming pools... many clients
are seeking to add the element of water into their gardens.
The other most popular request over the last year is “the
need for shade”. This can be achieved with permanent
structures such as pergolas or canopies, seasonal
additions such as parasols or Raj tents, or exploiting
Mother Nature by using trees and planting.
Our Garden Trends 2021 guide explores ways to
incorporate water and shade into a garden design as well
as providing an update on emerging products and ideas
in the landscaping world.
PHOTO: DOROTHEA OLDANI ON UNSPLASH TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI
-04 -05
STOCK TANKS WILDLIFE PONDS
Traditionally used as water tanks on farms At Craig McGibbon HQ we are big fans of
throughout the USA, stock tanks are now wildlife ponds and thrilled when a client
being repurposed as above-ground pools. wants to incorporate one into their garden
design. Even a modest-sized pond can attract
WATER Made from galvanised steel, stock tanks
bring a rustic, nostalgic feel to the garden.
At approximately 2 foot deep, stock tanks
a plethora of jewel-coloured dragonflies.
Here’s what Alison says about her pond; “I love
are not deep enough for a swim but they are my pond. I love the relaxing sound of the water
perfect for cooling off during our random feature. I love the wildlife it attracts; we had the
heatwaves, or for the kids to have a good most amazing dragonflies last year.
splash about (and will last much longer than
The pond fills with frog and toad spawn each
many paddling pools).
year, the frogs keep the slugs down (last weekend
A quick Instagram search for #stocktankpool I counted 57 frogs!). I have fish in there and they
provides more inspiration such as ice baths appear to be breeding. The birds come down in
for serious athletes, custom paint jobs, the mornings for a wash off on the beach shelf.
decking surrounds and lots of dogs getting in
I grow a collection of marginal plants and
on the fun!
pond plants and these bring a different style of
Currently, UK suppliers are limited but we are planting to my garden.”
keeping our eye on Diptanks who supply oval
and circular pools ranging from 3 foot to 8
WATER FEATURES
foot in size.
PHOTO: MICHAEL EFFENDY ON UNSPLASH
The sound of water can be very soothing
SAUNAS
The benefits of water are well known: SWIMMING POOLS and reduce unwanted noises from roads or
calming, stress relief, reduces noise neighbours. Water features come in a wide
pollution, attracts wildlife... The rising interest in home saunas has been range of styles to suit any garden scheme or
For some people it’s a dream to have their own
noticeable over the last year. maybe consider adding a bespoke design to
In these turbulent times, when we’re spending swimming pool and, with overseas holidays
your next landscaping project.
more time at home than ever before, these difficult this year, they are finally taking the Whether this stems from a desire to recreate
health and wellbeing benefits have never plunge! the spa/gym experience at home, or simply Alternatively, a corten steel bowl filled with
PHOTO: WESLEY TINGEY ON UNSPLASH
been so important. that they are the perfect accompaniment to water and pebbles, surrounded by pots on a
For those fortunate enough to already have a
the ever popular hot tub, saunas are on many patio or half hidden in a flower bed, is a simple
Inspired by our clients, here are some different pool, we are getting requests to refurbish the
clients’ wish lists. addition that anyone can create themselves.
ways to add the element of water into your surrounding patio/seating areas to ensure it’s
garden scheme. truly staycation ready. Outdoor saunas are available in a wide variety
of cabin sizes, styles, features and budget...
you really can get creative with this feature.
TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI
-06 -07
PERGOLAS & CANOPIES MOTHER NATURE
Pergolas are a popular choice for many clients Taking a natural approach to creating shade is
and can be custom-built to suit individual perhaps the most satisfying decision. Unlike
needs and styles. They provide a focal point many manmade products, foliage absorbs
for the garden, are often used as dining or heat so the resulting shade will feel cool and
SHADE relaxing areas, and can be adorned with
plants and climbers to create a welcoming
refreshing.
Trees and shrubs provide height and depth
space.
to a garden and prevent the space feeling
For those looking for ultimate protection from too sterile. Multi-stem trees, such as the
sunshine, Renson® canopies offer homeowners Amelanchier lamarckii, provide gentle shade
the perfect solution. Louvred roofs can be for perennials, bulbs and annuals, allowing
opened for ventilation and to control the them to flourish (drought-tolerant plants and
amount of shade required. Curtains and bulbs are the best companions with trees as
doors can be adjusted as the sun moves round they do not compete for water).
the garden and give added privacy. Then, as
In urban gardens, shrubs and trees are often
the sun sets, heaters and lights can be used to
used to blur hard boundaries and provide a
make the space comfortable for hours.
more attractive focal point than fencing or
walls. The added benefit is you have natural
RAJ TENTS pockets of shade for lawn chairs and benches.
If you have the space and patience, then
To create a true summer holiday vibe, Raj planting a new area with a variety of fruit
tents are a fun, exotic alternative. Offering a trees is the ultimate solution... imagine lying
PHOTO: COURTESY OF GARDEN HOUSE DESIGN
RENSON CANOPIES AVAILABLE FROM CRAIG McGIBBON - GARDENS WITH PASSION more flexible solution, they are easy to setup in a hammock in the cool, dappled shade
and are perfect for garden parties, smaller from your own mini orchard.
We like to think it’s a sign that our British favourite solution) shade can be enticed into
get-togethers, sleepovers, or simply long, lazy
summers are getting better (or maybe your garden in its most natural, dappled form.
days in the garden. When choosing tree species, do so carefully,
people are simply more sun-aware these days)
Also, the lack of shade often is a result of for example consider growth rates, eventual
but many of our clients request adding shade
Take a look at the Raj Tent Club for inspiration height, pruning requirements and whether
landscaping decisions, such as removing
into their gardens.
(we love their tea tents and dog tents!) you want leaves all year round or just for the
mature trees and shrubs to make space for
It’s a strange request really as shade is the seating areas or outdoor kitchens. Luckily, we spring and summer months.
by-product of something else. Shade can be have a few ideas on how to introduce different
PHOTO: MADISON INOUYE ON PEXELS
controlled and regulated through permanent shady areas into your garden and make it a
structures, or it can be created on-demand by feature in its own right.
using flexible, seasonal products, or (and our
TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI
-08 -09
HARD LANDSCAPING
Every garden designer and landscaper have their favourite products that shape the look
of their gardens, but there are always new products and emerging trends to keep designs fresh.
CLAY PAVERS REPURPOSING MATERIALS
Whilst porcelain is still a popular choice for Less of a trend, and more a prediction, we
patios, there is another product gathering anticipate that repurposing and rethinking
interest - clay pavers. hard landscaping materials will become
important in the coming year.
Having been used for centuries, clay pavers
bring the warmth, character and charm of With industry-wide shortages and supply-
European towns and villages to your own chain issues of many raw materials; including
garden. They are a sustainable, natural timber, sand, cement and steel; prices are on
product manufactured using two raw the increase (see this article by the BBC).
materials, clay and sand.
Rather than passing on the full burden of
PHOTOS: CRAIG McGIBBON - GARDENS WITH PASSION
Available in a wide range of colours, styles these price increases to our clients, we are
and textures, they are perfect for breaking- actively looking at ways to rethink designs
up large areas of patio, creating interesting and materials. For example, we recently
pathways and great for driveways. repurposed the timber from a client’s large,
rectangular decking area (inherited from the
We love the simplicity of linear patterns, such
previous homeowners) into a wrap-around
as a stacked or running bond, (see images
seating area with sunken planters that better
left) although herringbone or basketweave
suited the client’s needs and reduced the
designs work well in a traditional setting.
amount of new materials that needed to be
purchased.
TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI
-010 -011
PLANTING
As always, when it comes to plants, we are guided more by what we love and less by trends.
However, here are some new additions to our list of planting favourites.
AMELANCHIER TREES BOX BLIGHT
Whilst we are still big fans of Acer trees Shaped and topiarised European or common
(as featured in our 2020 Trends Report), in box (Buxus sempervirens) has been a firm
Hertfordshire there’s a new kid on the block! favourite of garden designers since the era of
formal parterres and knot gardens.
Amelanchier trees are popping up in many
clients’ gardens or on their planting wish- Unfortunately, the popularity of this all-
lists. These small deciduous trees or shrubs rounder is under threat by a disfiguring
are perfect for urban gardens as they have an fungal disease called Box blight. First found
open habit, provide year-round interest, and in England in 1994, Box blight isn’t a “new
their darkened fruit are an important winter trend” however, coupled with the Box tree
food for birds. Amelanchiers are hardy and caterpillar found in 2007 that strips leaves
PHOTO: KRISTINA PAUKSHTITE FROM PEXELS
grow well in many positions including full from plants and is spreading across the UK,
sun, shady and damp sites. the trend to look for alternative plants that
don’t suffer the same fate is real.
Amelanchier lamarckii, common name snowy
mespilus or juneberry, has delicate white The RHS has been trialing suitable alternatives
blossoms arriving at the same time as the and have found five contenders including the
coppery young foliage in spring, followed popular English Yew, see this RHS article.
by red to dark-purple fruits in summer, then
spectacular autumn colour.
Other varieties to watch are RHS award winners
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’ and ‘Robin’s
Hill’, see Ornamental Trees Nursery.
TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI
-012 -013
PLANTING continued
ABOUT CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED
SOFTER LANDSCAPING WILDFLOWERS
Our goal at Craig McGibbon is to create
Gardens with Passion.
A silver-lining of the nationwide lockdowns Continuing on from the previous trend, we
This means helping our clients to feel passionate about
over the last year is that we have had more have seen a greater interest and openness to
their garden; to step outside and feel joy at what they
time at home to enjoy our gardens. introduce areas of wildflowers into designs.
see; to want to share it with friends and family; and to get
Many people feel their gardens have become Wildflowers will provide a range of food and involved in creating a garden that is right for them.
a sanctuary and, as they spend less hours shelter for a whole range of wildlife, from
Gardens with passion is also about how we approach
commuting or in an office, they are turning species to attract butterflies and bees, to
every project. We feel passionate about the design; we
increasingly to gardening. mixtures that feed the birds.
are passionate about only using quality materials from
Our new clients are expressing more interest A wildflower seed mix is different to a meadow good suppliers; we are passionate about providing skilled
in the planting and plant-care side of their seed mix, often the latter will contain more workmanship and professional service; and above all, we
garden projects than we have seen typically. grasses. As always, choosing the right seed are passionate that our clients feel thrilled with their new
As a result, there is more more emphasis on will depend on soil type and environment. A garden.
soft landscaping—bringing more flowers great place to start your research is Landlife
and foliage into designs, and being willing Wildflowers who grow and supply native
to experiment with more exotic, higher British wildflower seeds to the general public craigmcgibbon.com
maintenance plants. and trade alike.
Alternatively, you could try leaving an area
of your garden uncut and see which native
species might appear... see #NoMowMay on
Instagram for inspiration.
TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXI TRENDS FOR YOUR GARDEN - JULY 2021 © CRAIG McGIBBON LIMITED MMXXIYou can also read
