2026 has just begun, so it's time to look ahead to the garden trends for next year. What will be popular, which varieties are a must-have for your garden, and which color palette is gaining popularity? We are eager to look at the upcoming gardening season for inspiration for our own green patches.
The garden can be a bit messier
The days when every garden needed a perfect lawn are thankfully long gone. This trend happily continues in 2026: everything can be a bit less formal and neatly defined. A messy corner, a brush pile, or a heap of leaves: the ideal addition to any garden. Biodiversity also reaps the benefits: insects find their way to your garden, and birds find much-needed feeding and hiding spots. Did you know that pests also have less chance in biodiverse gardens? Because there is a great balance, pests are naturally kept in check. Do you also leave your pruning shears aside in the fall? Many plants retain their structure during the winter months, making them ideal hiding places and food sources for birds and insects. So, prune in the spring and let the garden do its thing in the winter.
Edible varieties in the garden
Did you know you can perfectly add some edible crops to your garden border for a delightful effect? Where there used to be a more classic division between vegetable garden, cutting garden, or ornamental garden, these now blend more together. The concept of a potager is becoming increasingly well-known. In such gardens, functions intermingle. The ornamental garden deserves a prominent place and forms the structure, but the cutting and vegetable gardens also make up a large part of the garden. Annual cut flowers are scattered throughout, shrubs and perennials are harvested, and here and there, vegetables are tucked away in the borders.
Chives are not only a tasty kitchen herb, but their purple flowers also add a charming touch to the border. If winter isn't too harsh, they'll return year after year.
Tuscan kale is a robust crop that serves as a beautiful structural plant in the garden. It stands proudly upright, and its dark green color draws attention.
Swiss chard is not only a delicious crop, but its bright colors add delightful accents to the borders. Is the plant getting too big? Just eat it up.
Tagetes or marigolds. These small flowers are the perfect addition to the vegetable garden. They attract many beneficial insects, and their scent keeps whiteflies at bay.
Adding native plants to the border
We are all aware of the environment and the impact our gardens can have on a positive and sustainable climate. A lawn can certainly have a function in the garden and can, of course, be beautiful, but unfortunately, a lawn has little to no ecological value. Borders are a good step in the right direction to make your garden more biodiverse and thus more attractive. However, if you want to take it a step further, plant a native plant here and there in the garden for the fauna and flora.
Native plants are perfectly adapted to our local fauna and flora. Compare it to a cactus: the perfect plant in the desert, but in our temperate climate, it doesn't thrive. Native plants support the local food chain, are more resistant to water and drought, and require less maintenance.
Achillea or yarrow. This fine plant with white flower clusters is the ideal landing spot for pollinators, and small insects can shelter in the stems.
Allium ursinum or wild garlic. This ground cover is not only edible but also an important nectar source for bees and bumblebees.
Digitalis or foxglove. This biennial plant fits perfectly in a cottage garden but also has great ecological value. Bees and bumblebees are fond of foxglove nectar.
Knautia arvensis or field scabious. This delicate, purple flower attracts an incredible number of butterflies to the border. It loves a sunny spot.
Do you have moist soil or are you looking for a plant to place by a pond? Then consider Valeriana officinalis or common valerian. The flowers are a treat for pollinators.
Learn more through our videos
Did you know we also have a well-stocked YouTube channel? With over 450 videos, we have a vast database of information. Be sure to check out YouTube and subscribe to stay updated on the latest videos.
In this video, Angelo teaches you all about autumn asters, a stunning border plant for your garden that steals the show during the autumn months.
More than just a garden table
Zones will be less strictly defined in 2026. A designated spot to eat, enjoy the peace, and harvest is becoming increasingly rare. Places and destinations are more vaguely outlined; a resting spot can also perfectly serve as a potting area for young seedlings. Only tomatoes in the greenhouse? How about a cozy nook where you can unwind? A comfy garden chair, a blanket, and some lights are all you need to transform a greenhouse into a green paradise.
