How will you garden in 2012?

Dragon's Blood sedum, Ghost Plant, Finger Aloe

I am interested in business practices in general after owning my own small company for 20 years and became fascinated by how businesses get their customers, specifically how trends are set to direct spending. This is off my normal topic but may interest you if you plan on spending any money this year on your garden.

Garden Media Group, a PR firm servicing the gardening industry, has a new theme and list of trends for 2012 that they are hoping will appeal to consumers.  Using interesting buzzwords and topics phrased differently each year, they ‘spot’ trends and compile a list to promote their industry and the clients who hire them. Basically, they want to direct what you do and buy when it comes to gardening.

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 ‘Cultivate the new good life with the power of plants’ is Garden Media Group’s theme phrase this year.  Judge for yourself:

“Urban Knights  Generation X and Y are taking up the mantle to protect and defend the earth.

Eco-scaping  From rocks in the garden to rocks in the living room, nature’s influence can be found both indoors and out.

Occupy Local  People are “occupying” local farmers markets and joining CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) groups for fresh produce, plants and products.   Mindful consumption  According to the 2010 Cone Survey, 83 percent of consumers still want to see more brands, products, and companies that support worthy causes.

Water-watchers  “There is no single issue greater than water,” said Hall. And, he added, Gen X & Y want gardening to be simple with easy, low-maintenance plants that require less water and are “earth kind.”   In living color  Neon colors, pop art and color blocking are influencing fashion on the runways to fashion in the garden.

Techno-gardening  With the rise of smartphone technology, QR-codes, apps and Groupon, living social is bringing power to the people and consumers into the buying experience.

Children’s gardens  From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are discovering firsthand how to grow their own food and take care of the planet. ”

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Verbena bonariensis and Oaks

I know that ideas are needed when choosing products and plants for gardening projects and I’m all for free commerce, but I prefer to read and search out what appeals to me for this pleasurable and personal occupation of mine. I prefer to let my garden develop naturally as I am influenced by my own curiosity. I’m usually wary of advertising of any form and now of the trends promoted by the Garden Media Group. How will you choose what to buy for your garden in 2012?

Now, let’s look at the trends spotted in previous years. Here are the Garden Media Groups list of trends which they have in the form of what’s In-What’s Out Lists going back to 2003.  See what you think.

GMG 2010 Garden Trends

What’s In What’s Out

1. Main Street is In.                           Wall Street is Out.

2. Edible gardens are In.                  Lawns are Out.

3. Slow Gardening is In.                   Instant gratification is Out.

4. Mindful is In.                                 Bling is Out.

5. Eco-Boosting is In.                        ChemicalDependentGardensare Out.

6. Multi-tasking is In.                       Single-Purpose gardening is Out

7. Perennials and Shrubs are In.    Divas are Out.

GMG 2009 Garden Trends

What’s In What’s Out

1. Eco-Boosting is In!                     Conspicuous Consumption is Out

2. Grow It Yourself (GIY) is In     Doing it ALL for Me is Out

3. Blended gardens are In              Segregated gardens are Out

4. Locavore is In                               Big carbon footprints are Out

5. Water is In                                    Water is Out

6. Outside is In                                 Inside is Out (But not “out”)

7. Info Lust is In                               Lack of Knowledge is Out

8. Quick & Simple is In                   Over-the-top gardens are Out

9. Global Colors are In                    Safe colors are Out

10. Worldly is In                              Cookie-cutter is Out

11. Bubbling is In                             Excess is out

GMG 2008 Trends Report

What’s In What’s Out

Gardening for the Greener Good is In             Gardening for Self Gratification is Out

Eco-Chic Gardens Are Forever In.                    Chemical Needy Gardens are Way Out.

Buying Local is In.                                                Big Eco-Footprints Are Out

Water in the Garden is In.                                  Wasting Water is Out

Smart n’ Easy Gardens Are In.                           High Maintenance Gardens Are Out

Corresponding Color Combinations Are In.   Complementary Color Combos are Out.

Curvaceous Gardens Are In.                               Square Gardens are Out.

Well-Lit Gardens Are In                                      “In the Dark” Gardens Are Out

Gardening for the Birds & Bees is in                  Reckless Gardening is Out

GMG 2007 Trends Report

What’s In What’s Out

Outdoor Living is In.                              Indoor Living is Out.

EscapeGardensAreIn.                            Everyday GardensAre Out.

Streamlined Gardens Are In.                Shabby Chic Gardens Are Out.

Eco-ChicGardensAre In.                       Chemical Needy Gardens Are Out.

SmallSpaceGardensAre In.                   Colossal Gardens Are Out.

Larger than Life Accents Are In.          Peak-a-Boo Accessories Are Out.

Foliage in Focus Is In.                            Flowers Only Are Out.

Multi-taskingGardensAreIn.                Time ConsumingGardensAre Out.

Fancy Plants Are In.                                Basic Plants Are Out.

Masses of Any Color Are In.                  Colorless Masses Are Out.

24-Hour Gardens Are In.                       Daytime Only Gardens Are Out.

GMG 2005 Trends Report

WHAT’S IN – WHAT’S OUT FOR GARDENING IN 2005

REALITYGARDENSAREIN.                      IDEALGARDENSARE OUT.

SIGNATUREGARDENSARE IN.               COOKIE CUTTERS ARE OUT.

SIMPLE IS STILL IN.                                  CLUTTER IS OUT.

DO SOME OF IT FOR ME IS IN.              DO IT ALL YOURSELF IS OUT.

MEGA BLOOMS ARE IN.                          SEEDLINGS ARE OUT.

SPECIALTY ANNUALS ARE IN.              BEDDING PLANTS ARE OUT.

LUXURY BRANDS ARE IN.                     BARGAIN BRANDS ARE OUT.

VERTICAL GARDENING IS IN.              ONE DIMENSIONAL GARDENING IS OUT.

ROMANTIC IS IN.                                      PEDESTRIAN IS OUT.

NEW CLASSICS ARE IN.                          TRENDY IS OUT.

CURATED CONSUMPTION IS IN.         AVALANCHE OF CHOICES IS OUT.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE GARDENING IS IN.                                        CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT GARDENING IS OUT.

CONTAINER GARDENING IS STILL IN.     AND NOT GOING OUT.

EMPOWERED PLANTS ARE IN.               NEEDY PLANTS ARE OUT.

TROPICALGARDENSAREIN.                     COTTAGEGARDENSARE OUT.

HOUSEPLANTS ARE IN.                             GREENLESS HOUSES ARE OUT.

GMG 2004 Trends Report

What’s in – What’s Out for Gardening in 2004

Simple Chic Is In.                                                    Over The Top Is Out.

Harmony Is In.                                                         A Riot Of Color Is Out.

Mono-Impact Containers Are In.                        Mixed Containers Are Out.

Extending The Planting Season Is In.                Planting Just In Spring Is Out

Running Water Is In.                                              Still Water Is Out.

Spirited Colors Are In.                                           Timid Colors Are Out.

Green Revolutions Are In.                                    Chemical Attacks Are Out.

Technorganic Gardening Is In.                            Pest Destruction Is Out.

Yard Fun Is In.                                                         Yard Work Is Out.

Landscaping Is In.                                                   Bathroom Remodeling Is Out.

Decorating Is In.                                                      Random Planting Is Out.

Luxury Products Are In.                                         Commonplace Items Are Out.

Nature Outside-In Is In.                                         Separating Space Is Out.

Planting With Others Is In.                                   Planting Alone Is Out.

Flower Power is In.                                                  Industrial Power is Out.

GMG 2003 Trends Report

Complicated   Is Out. Simple Is In.
No   Color Is Out. Four Seasons of Color Is In.
Self   Gratification Is Out. Self Awareness Is In.
Rows   Of Bulbs Are Out. Anything Goes Is In.
Pastels   Are Out. Bold Colors Are In.
Plain   Pots Are Out. Exciting Containers Are In.
Gardening   Above Ground Is Out. Gardening Underground Is In.
Dirt   Is Out. Pre-Formulated Mixes Are In.
Traditional   Lawn Care Is Out. Organic Grass Is In.
Pale   Is Out. Blue Is In.
Instant   Gratification Is Out. Real Gardening Is In.
Sloppy   Is Out. High Style Is In.

More about these trends can be found here. http://www.gardenmediagroup.com/

3 comments

  1. Curbstone Valley Farm -

    Interesting. As I tend to stay off band-wagons, avoid trends, and often go out of my way not to do something that everyone else is doing, I think I’ll just carry on…well, gardening! 😉

    • Sue Langley -

      I totally agree, Clare. I must admit, though, that I *have* become influenced by my other blogging friends and their real gardens, projects and goals. 🙂

  2. Katie Hertfelder -

    It is kind of sad that instead of being presented with real information, people are being sold accessories that must be replaced as soon as they go out of style. We know that’s not what gardening is about, but lots of people don’t. I think in the end this focus on buying stuff and not on the actual experience of creating a garden backfires on retailers because buying stuff is not a unique experience and the customers burn out and move on. Interesting! Thanks for sharing this.

Comments are closed.