Blog: How The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society sees the year ahead
We always follow horticultural trends from the UK, but I thought it would be interesting to see the top 10 gardening trends for 2026 from the USA. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), established for nearly two centuries, has unveiled the ideas, practices, and emerging aesthetics poised to influence gardeners. I’m sure these will inspire all of us here in the UK.
Highlights include innovations in floral design, landscape, and ornamental design, indoor growing and plant-related lifestyle trends. This list gives gardeners of all experience levels practical guidance and new ways to interact with their cultivated areas. For more ideas, check out the PHS Gardener’s Blog. I hope my US readers enjoy this spotlight on their horticultural scene. While UK gardeners may not have access to (or be able to grow because of the climate), it makes interesting reading.
Gardening innovations
New plants and products focus on sustainability and versatility. Petunia Firefly is a genetically modified innovation, with petals featuring subtle flecks that glow in the dark. Gardening media, such as the 2nd Sand from Organic Mechanics, made from recycled glass, can be mixed into soil to improve drainage or used as a decorative top layer. Climb-itt® by Leafjoy® is a sustainable climbing supports made from potato skins and elephant grass.
Top 10 gardening trends for 2026 – Rewilding
A global trend where gardeners let portions of their plot rewild. It allows native species to re-establish while deterring invasive exotics.
Gravel gardening
Gravel Guru Jeff Epping releases a new book on gravel gardening this spring. This promotes water-wise gardening with strong visual appeal, a win-win for those looking for beauty while wanting to be more environmentally sound. As a gravel gardener myself, I can’t recommend this style of gardening enough – read my posts on gravel gardening.
Top 10 gardening trends for 2026 – Growing cut flowers
Boutique flower farms have reshaped how people grow, buy, and enjoy cut flowers. This movement reflects a growing interest in locally grown flowers that are fresher, more seasonal, and often cultivated using sustainable practices. Focus on dahlias, zinnias, and heirloom annuals.
Garden to the max
Maximalist garden design celebrates bold and unapologetically abundant spaces, where creativity and colour take centre stage. Teresa Woodard’s Garden to the Max: Joyful, Visionary, Maximalist Design promotes ‘more is more’ gardening. This approach is perfect for gardeners who don’t shy away from a profusion of colour. I love the sound of the one!
Top 10 gardening trends for 2026 – The houseplant phenomenon
Houseplants have become a global obsession since the pandemic, making gardening accessible for anyone. They bring beauty and wellness indoors while cleansing the air in the home and office. Trending houseplants include:
- Aroids, Monstera, Philodendron, and pothos (Epipremnum).
- Proven Winners™ has introduced a range called leafjoy®, with new cultivars of popular houseplants.
- Kokedama is a decorative planting technique. Plants are grown in a soil-filled ball wrapped in natural fibre and displayed without a traditional pot.
- Snake plants (Sansevieria syn. Draceana) continue in popularity. New cultivars include Pagoda Tower, Jewel Crown, Lili Put, Tiger Crown, and Hedgehog.
Fruit growing
Home fruit growing continues to rise. In the Southern US, gardeners are opting for the native paw paw, Asimina triloba. Heartwood Nursery in southern Pennsylvania hosts the annual Serviceberry Festival. The Philadelphia Orchard Project promotes the cultivation of all kinds of fruiting plants throughout the city. Popular fruits include:
- Diospyros kaki, Asian persimmon, Saijo, Great Wall, and Fuyu.
- Diospyros virginiana, American persimmon.
- Asimina triloba, paw paw, Susquehanna, Shenandoah, Wabash, Rebecca’s Gold and Sunflower.
- Amelanchier canadensis, serviceberry.
- Ficus carica, fig Fignomenal™.
Top 10 gardening trends for 2026 – AI and gardening
There are now AI design and many plant identification apps. On the flip side, there are many fake AI-generated images and sites out there, offering to sell seeds for these non-existent plants. Personally, I avoid AI at all costs and won’t use apps, etc that use it.
Hydrangeas
At CULTIVATE, a global tradeshow in Columbus, Ohio, many new hydrangeas were showcased. New varieties include First® Editions Hydrangea paniculata Spring Sizzle® and from Bloomin’ Easy, H. paniculata Bubble Bath™. US natives, including the smooth hydrangea, H. arborescens, and the oakleaf hydrangea, H.quercifolia, remain popular.
Top 10 gardening trends for 2026 – Gardens that Support Ecology
Native plants remain essential, especially pollinator-friendly species. Gardeners are reducing lawn areas and ‘leaving the leaves’ to create habitat for overwintering insects. The PHS Gold Medal Program highlights plants that support ecological health, such as Aronia arbutifolia Brilliantissima (chokeberry) and Rudbeckia maxima (giant coneflower). Habitat piles and bee hotels offer shelter for insects, mammals, and birds.
Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture at PHS, said: “Gardening continues to evolve as people explore new ways to connect with nature, express creativity, and grow food and beauty in their own spaces. From innovative houseplant displays and water-wise gravel gardens to cutting-edge AI tools and rewilding practices, the 2026 trends reflect how gardeners are experimenting, learning, and finding joy in every corner of their gardens.”
