4 Garden Design Trends for 2026, From Nancy Meyers-Inspired Gardens to Container Planting

Backyard spaces—from gardens to patios—have become a true extension of the home, with more homeowners creating outdoor areas that feel like actual living rooms and serve as a place to escape. Going into 2026, you can expect that trend to continue.

After conducting extensive consumer research with over 1,400 homeowners, Monrovia Nursery recently revealed the top garden design trends to watch for in the coming year. That data was paired with the company's analysis of digital and print media, consumer behavior, and adjacent industries such as design, food, and art, and compiled into an insights report.

"Our latest research has shown that interest in gardening overall is holding steady year over year despite economic worries and pressures. We see that edible gardening is a top goal for next year across all age groups, and the main motivation in gardening continues to be about creating spaces that help us lower our stress," Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter for Monrovia, said in a statement.

From unique crops to romantic gardens, here are the garden design trends that Monrovia predicts will pop up in 2026.

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Container Planting

A continuing trend from 2025, outdoor living areas like patios and porches will remain popular in 2026, with homeowners creating lush environments where they can relax and unwind, no matter the size of the space.

"There is more interest than ever in gardening on decks and patios," Tamony said. "We’re seeing the biggest increase in container gardening interest with gardeners 65 years old, but this is a trend that reaches every demographic, especially gardeners who want elegant outdoor spaces that are low maintenance. They are creating whole gardens on their patios with beautiful containers."

To design these spaces, gardeners are looking to soften their hardscape with greenery, pops of color, and fragrant plants. According to Monrovia, ferns, grasses, and broad-leafed evergreens are used for structure and movement, while climbing vines such as jasmine or mandevilla add height and fragrance.

Edible Gardens

According to Monrovia’s research, all gardeners, especially those 45 to 55, are getting into homegrown produce, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

"When times are tough, people gravitate toward growing their own food, but this trend goes beyond that phenomenon," Tamony said. "The expansion we’re seeing in the edibles trend shows home gardeners are getting more adventurous and more world-aware in their selections."

The trend sees homeowners branching out beyond tomatoes and cucumbers, and instead planting crops like kiwi, persimmon, and figs. Monrovia also reports that unique selections such as columnar apple trees, ultra-compact blueberries, and espaliered peaches are gaining in popularity.

Gardeners are also growing more varieties in containers, selecting edible plants that add beauty and interest, and expanding their growing season by overwintering fruit and citrus trees.

Tamer Meadows

The unkempt meadow trend that was popular this year will continue into 2026, but with a more refined appearance. The research shows that gardeners remain drawn to a wild design but want a more curated look.

"This trend is where naturalistic design meets intentional simplicity," Tamony said. "Gardeners' interest in soil health, pollinators, sustainability, and native plants is evolving. They’re combining this interest into a design aesthetic that is natural but not unruly."

To achieve this design, combine native plants with cultivars for a freeform look with less maintenance. Plant choices in both categories welcome pollinators and offer a flowing, relaxed look that can combine grasses and perennials with rocks and nature-inspired pathways.

Romantic Yards

To combat everyday stresses, homeowners are seeking to create at-home escapes with picture-perfect gardens that are easy to maintain.

"This design trend encourages gardens and landscapes with tidy bones," Tamony said. "It also incorporates a dash of quiet luxury and a touch of romance. It is the landscape equivalent of a Nancy Meyers movie." Think evergreen hedges paired with a cohesive palette of flowering plants.

"We have seen increasing interest in climbing roses and growing roses in containers," she added. “Those elements fit this trend perfectly. It is timeless design combined with nostalgia, refined elegance, and happy color as an accessory. We see a lot of interest in pinks as a single color accent to all that lovely green."

To create this garden style, plant boxwood, holly, ferns, and other greenery. Climbing vines such as roses, camellias, and jasmine add height and subtle color, while flowering shrubs and perennials, like lavender and hydrangea, add romance to the space. You could also match bloom color across plants for an even more upscale look.