6 Outdated Garden Trends Experts Are Tired of Seeing—and What You Should Do Instead

Just like fashion, gardening has its fair share of fads. The painted tire planters of the ‘80s, for example, are well past their prime, and oversized, tiered fountains have been phased out in favor of more minimalist water features.

The trend cycle continues today, with gardening styles blooming and fading—or sometimes coming back with a modern twist. And while there’s always room for nuance and personal affinities, there are some outdated garden trends that have really fallen out of style, according to the experts we chatted with.

Colorful Mulch

Vibrant mulches are made by grinding up a form of dry wood waste into chips, then dying them with a water-based solution. It can look pretty, but some of the dyes used may contain harmful chemicals that affect soil health.

“There are way more functional, [environmentally friendly] ways to mulch your garden,” says Victor Castro, gardening expert from Palmstreet. “Start shifting towards natural bark, decomposed granite, and darker mulches that both complement plants and support soil vitality."

He suggests pumice rock as a great alternative, as it's light in color and weight, and is more permanent than mulch.

Some Herb Spirals

Herb spirals are a permaculture classic that started as a clever idea: That stacking spirals would save space, while also creating different microclimates for various herbs. While great in theory, they're not always so wonderful in practice for everyone.

“They usually turn into awkward piles of soil that dry out too fast at the top and stay too wet at the bottom,” says Andrew Porwol, a gardening expert at Garden Centre Shopping. “On top of that, they’re harder to maintain than expected. Herbs outgrow their spots quickly, and keeping the spiral looking tidy takes more effort than most gardeners have time for.” 

They can be great for learning about microclimates or tending to herbs that need a lot of care, but otherwise, you might be better off with another approach. As an alternative, Porwol suggests vertical planters or tiered raised beds. These are easier to manage and have better drainage.

Solo Vegetable Patches

For many years, gardeners have kept vegetable gardens in a neat and tidy box. However, we’ve since learned that vegetables don’t have to be kept isolated. In fact, they may even fare better when planted alongside other plants.  

“Flowers can have many benefits for your edible harvest,” says Marion Meesenburg, gardening pro and marketing specialist with Darwin Perennials. “For example, French marigolds can deter small rodents, petunias and zinnias add color and attract pollinators (which give you more fruit), and strong-scented lavender or sage can keep pests and insects away.”

Manicured Box Hedges

The tightly clipped box hedges that used to line garden paths are losing their luster.

“They were once the go-to for anyone aiming for that classic British garden look, but a lot of people are moving away from them now—and not just because of aesthetics,” Porwol tells us. “Box blight and caterpillar infestations have become a real hassle. More importantly, gardeners are shifting toward borders that are better for the environment.” 

Instead, native shrubs, wild edges, and ornamental grasses are taking their place. They’re easier to care for, they look more relaxed and natural, and they actually support local wildlife.

The Classic Lawn

Along with white picket fences, the “perfect green lawn” is increasingly being swapped out for more eco-friendly alternatives. These green grass lawns often require enormous upkeep, lots of water, and synthetic chemicals. 

“The traditional lawn—smooth, uniform, and constantly mowed—is starting to feel a bit tired, especially as more people think about the environmental trade-offs,” Porwol says. “Gardeners are exploring other ground covers that work with nature, not against it. Think wildflower meadows, creeping thyme, clover, or mixed low-growers that support pollinators and don’t need constant upkeep.” 

Non-Native Plants

In the past, showcasing non-native plants in garden beds was pretty common. Now, Castro says, gardeners are becoming much more intentional about planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees. 

“The biggest concern when planting non-native plants is that they potentially endanger local ecosystems. Many invasive plants have characteristics that make them a threat to the natural order,” he says. “Native plants are perfectly adapted to local climates, they dependably survive winters in their native hardiness zones, and they’re usually more drought tolerant and pest resistant."