Wondering what home gardeners will be purchasing and planting next season? Monrovia's Garden Design Trends Study reveals insights into the top aesthetics, motivators, and plant categories for 2027.

Backed by consumer research and long-term data, the yearly analysis is compiled with proprietary information. Each year Monrovia conducts extensive consumer research with more than 1,500 homeowners. That data, paired with reviews of social media, website traffic, and email engagement, along with consumer behavior in adjacent industries such as design, food and art, helps formulate the garden design insights.

Here's a look at the top trends that customers will be focused on in 2027:

Palm Springs Style
Gardeners looking to create a striking desert oasis are bringing the look to containers as well as the landscape, transforming gardens with architectural succulents and energizing tropical color.

"Palm Springs Style trend is all about creating a calming, wellness-focused outdoor space that feels more upscale," says Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter at Monrovia. "Our research shows that consumers who agree with the statement 'gardening feels energizing and mentally restorative' is up as much as 6% since 2025."

Gardeners interested in this rejuvenating design style are looking for structured succulents and lush, tropical color found with agave, bougainvillea, mandevilla and tropical hibiscus.

The Gilded Garden
Romance and beauty are alive and well in our gardens and this trend shines a spotlight on classic plants like roses, peonies, hydrangea and boxwood. The Gilded Garden maximizes the popularity of European-inspired garden design with an elevated, modern twist.

"This trend appeals to established, higher-income gardeners," says Tamony. "Homeowners who have invested in their interior design are taking that high-end look to the garden. Their interest in rare, collector plants is increasing, and our research shows their willingness to pay for premium plants and exquisite blooms is up between 5-9% since 2025. We are also seeing high interest in this garden design style with men."

In addition to timeless plants, this trend showcases artful hedges, chartreuse foliage and collector statement plants that have garden visitors asking, "What is that plant?!"

Gardening for the Wild
Sustainability meets structure in this expanding garden trend. Pollinator friendly gardens are moving beyond an untended wildflower patch to a more polished and intentional, yet still natural looking garden design. Gardeners are welcoming bees, birds and other pollinators with a mix of natives, long-blooming, pollinator-friendly cultivars as well as trees and shrubs that provide nesting areas.

According to Tamony, ecological commitment is a growing purchase driver for gardeners interested in this trend. Research shows their willingness to pay more for pollinator-attracting varieties and reduced pesticide use has risen as much as 9% since 2025.

"The evolution of this trend showcases gardener's growing enthusiasm for birds," says Tamony. "They've captured our curiosity, we're downloading apps to identify new species and we're learning about new ways to attract them to the garden. That includes planting bird-friendly trees and shrubs."

In addition to planting for structure, gardeners interested in this style are choosing traditional yet modern pollinator plants that offer dependable and long-lasting blooms such as echinacea, salvia and penstemon. They're also choosing newer varieties of Agastache, ornamental grasses and even milkweed.

Moody Botanicals
Soothing, moody plants are on trend. Gardners are leaning into dark, dramatic design palettes featuring smokey blue-gray, deep burgundy and emerald foliage, especially in shaded spaces.

"These dark tones feel restorative and can help create a tranquil space in a chaotic world" says Tamony. "Homeowners who agree that gardening can be a calming influence in our lives and improve our mental well-being has been increasing over the last few years. This trend reaches just about every age group, with the highest interest in younger gardeners, ages 25-44."

Goth Garden style remains strong, especially for fall decorating and containers. Those interested in this design style are seeking out texture as well as moody colors, selecting plants like dark Japanese maples, heuchera, black mondo grass, and cordyline.

Edited Edibles
Gardeners are wanting more from their edible plants – and not just more fruits and vegetables to harvest.

"We're seeing shoppers be more discerning in their edible choices," says Tamony. "They're looking for plants that add a design element or feel more exotic than the common choices their neighbors grow, but they want to be more selective in what they choose. People are more interested in getting more berries, for example, or an edible plant that looks good in the fall in the landscape."

Adding an edible garden ranks among the highest-interest projects in Monrovia's survey, with more than 45% of respondents saying they are looking for more unique selections.

This trend has gardeners looking for specialty herbs, berries with year-round interest and conversation-starting selections like pomegranate, figs, kiwi, and olives.

The New Garden Party
The idea of outdoor living is not new, but the approach is now styled, elevated and energized. Patios and gardens are the new go-to entertaining space, and garden elements are the preferred décor. "Interest in creating an outdoor dining space is increasing, especially in 35-44-year-olds," says Tamony. "But what is interesting is how the space is being used – it is a celebration of being outdoors."

This trend features styled patios with statement container plantings that create a festive, vibrant atmosphere. Backdrops of flowering vines, tablescapes with potted plants and fresh from the garden cut flowers are also on trend. The garden party theme is even showing up in fashion with floral patterned fabrics gaining momentum.

Lavender, roses, and hydrangeas in containers drive this trend. Climbing vines such as jasmine, honeysuckle, and clematis can help define a space. Bold hued perennials and unique grasses can give the design an upscale feel.

This trend appeals to higher-income entertainers, renters and homeowners with smaller outdoor spaces.

"They're creating entire gardens in containers and celebrating life with just a few friends or a large gathering," says Tamony. "From book clubs to dinner parties the on-trend gathering space is outside."
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com