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Gardening has been met with a young and enthusiastic generation of new gardeners.
This past year has seen 'exciting and unprecedented growth in gardening', reveals Wyevale Garden Centres.
The benefits of gardening are persuading more and more of us to pick up a spade and fork, and what's more, traditional and experienced gardeners have been met with a young and enthusiastic generation of new gardeners.
Wyevale's Garden Trends Report 2018 provides a snapshot for gardening this year and uncovers 'the new breeds of British gardeners'. Take a look at the four most popular categories below:
• This eager group of gardeners are in their 30s and 40s and have been identified by the Royal Horticultural Society as 'The Lost Generation': a missing link down through the gardening generations.
• Their baby boomer parents – modern thinking and rejecting of their own parents' old-fashioned ways – preferred to go off effecting groovy cultural change than to stay at home sowing seeds. In doing so they failed to pass on gardening skills.
• As the Late Bloomers have grown older they have become increasingly keen to garden, but see it as complicated and confusing, and are lacking in confidence.
• They are most likely to have decking, paving and a barbecue in their garden, but few plants; though they can lean towards buying ready-grown larger plants and completed hanging baskets that take away the worry of growing from seed.
• Born between the early 1980s and 2000s, this trend-led, demanding crowd have discovered gardening via the internet.
• Gardening fits in with many millennial obsessions such as self-improvement, crafts and wellbeing, but it also provides a wealth of opportunities to show off online, either with gardening skills or using the garden as a decorative backdrop.
• They are transient and space-restricted, often living in rented homes with little to no garden and because of this they have been responsible for a huge surge in houseplant sales over the past two years. This has filtered through to the high street, with non-traditional stores such as Urban Outfitters and Topshop getting in on the horticultural action.
• The Millennial Gardener particularly loves green, and a continued rise in sales of interesting foliage houseplants is predicted for 2018.
• There is a rise in eco-conscious gardeners who are seeking a more sustainable, environmentally friendly way to garden, with greater consideration for wildlife and the dangers it faces.
• The Eco-Gardeners are embracing the Grow Your Own trend, in a bid to shrink their food miles and reduce their carbon footprint, and are most likely to adopt an organic approach to their growing. This has been encouraged by pro-organic gardening media and celebrity gardeners such as Monty Don.
• Veganism and vegetarianism are also on the rise among this group and with this comes a greater demand for fresh, beautifully grown produce.
• They have an enterprising ethic and an interest in the alternative economy, utilising community gardens and allotment space to grow, sell or trade their produce.
• There is a growing desire to turn the garden into the fifth room of the house, and this group is at the heart of the trend.
• They have caused a boost in sales across garden furniture sets, barbecues and outdoor lighting, using every opportunity to relax, socialise and dine alfresco.
• Having space to entertain is deemed the second most appealing garden feature for Brits, regardless of backyard space, with small balconies and vast lawns proving sought-after spots for hosting.
• The Entertainers are also taking soft furnishings outside, with an increasing demand for outdoor mirrors, cushions, ornaments, candles and decorative accessories.
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