This year and next, garden design is continuing to reflect contemporary values of sustainability, wellness, and a deeper connection to nature. Whether you're relandscaping a sprawling country garden or a compact urban balcony, these garden design trends remain front and centre.
1. Rewilding and Naturalistic Gardens
Rewilding continues to be a leading (and sometimes controversial!) trend as more garden designers embrace a less manicured, more natural approach to landscaping. This trend emphasizes creating ecosystems that support local wildlife by incorporating native plants, wildflowers (including "weeds"), and grasses. The goal is to design gardens that blend seamlessly with the natural environment, offering a mix of textures, colors, and habitats that promote biodiversity. Areas of wildflowers are a great way to boost the ecological value of your green space, and we have created several gardens in the last 12 months that have incorporated "mini meadows" - areas of wildflowers that provide a haven for bee and other insects. We have also created dedicated wildlife gardens, which are designed with 365 days of nectar sources, native plants and wildlife friendly layout, such as this one
2. Climate-Resilient Landscaping
With the increasing impact of climate change, garden designers are prioritizing climate-resilient landscaping in 2025. This includes the use of drought-tolerant plants, rain gardens, and xeriscaping techniques. By selecting plants that require less water and can withstand extreme weather conditions, garden designers ensure that landscapes remain vibrant and sustainable, even in unpredictable climates. With Cambridge being the driest part of the UK, this is particularly important, and we have created minimal watering gardens for several clients, including this one.
3. Wellness-Focused Garden Spaces
As wellness continues to be a key focus in contemporary living, garden design is increasingly reflecting this by creating spaces that promote mental and physical well-being. Garden designers are crafting meditation gardens, outdoor yoga spaces, and sensory gardens to engage all five senses. These thoughtfully designed spaces often include calming elements like water features, fragrant herbs, and comfortable seating areas, providing a serene retreat from the stresses of daily life. Courtyard gardens can lend themselves particularly well to this, as the enclosed spaces cshut out the world and create a unified aesthetic. See an example of our work on calming courtyard design here.
4.Urban Landscaping
For those with limited space, using all available space is a key consideration when designing a garden. Living walls, trellises, and stacked planters are popular choices for maximizing greenery in small areas such as roof terraces, and we have significant experience in working with roof gardens in Cambridge, especially in the Accordia development, as well as creating other mini gardens in tiny spaces. You can see some examples here and here.
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