Bedding plants to make way for more eco-friendly options in 2025, predicts RHS
Petunias, begonias and other classic bedding plants like busy Lizzies will be out of fashion for 2025, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has predicted, as gardeners turn to more eco-friendly options.
Bedding plants are usually grown in large greenhouses in peat. But peat excavation around the country is destroying some of our most effective carbon sinks. On top of that, bedding plants are usually bred to be sterile, which means they do not produce pollen so are of little use to butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Edible perennials may be more popular instead; these plants need less maintenance and provide huge benefits for wildlife. Take the Honeyberry, a plant from the blueberry family, for example; the oval-shaped berry plant requires little attention and is increasingly available across the UK, meaning it will start to appear in gardens and community growing spaces very soon.
Other popular, and more environmentally-friendly, alternatives to bedding plants that are being seen more frequently in town squares include salvias, heather and dahlias, which require little maintenance as well as being colourful and good for pollinators.
Gardeners have been asking the experts at the RHS how to make space for plants as well as electric vehicles as more and more homes install charging points. The RHS is expecting to see more permeable paving and gravel gardens flanked with low maintenance plants. These are low cost and prevent pooling or runoff of rainwater, making them an ideal option in dense, urban areas.
Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the RHS, said: “Gardens never stand still and 2025 is likely to see not only new, exciting planting choices but new ways of designing, growing and maintaining spaces. The EV revolution could usher in significant changes to what front gardens look like, while city centres could be punctuated by many more growing spaces that serve the dual purpose of providing refuge for people and wildlife but also all important flood-proofing capabilities.”
The RHS is also seeing more demand for mini gardens and “pocket parks” as local authorities and communities try to find ways to alleviate flooding. This is causing more community gardens to pop up around the UK. As well as being attractive and good for pollinators and other wildlife, mini gardens in public spaces can store a surprising amount of water, reducing flooding and road runoff. 2025 is expected to see a growth in “sponge city” capabilities as developers and councils increasingly find the broader benefits of planted spaces.
RHS gardening trends for 2025 – in full
1. More edible perennials
Fruit trees and shrubs as well as perennial vegetables will continue to grow in popularity owing to their reliable annual bounty, low maintenance and provision of shape, structure and habitat for wildlife.
2. From community water butts to sponge cities
Community gardens are increasingly at the centre of local water capture and storage, helping to meet the needs of the immediate space but also local people during extended dry spells.
3. Infrastructure goes green
As research continues apace to evidence the benefits of plants, they’ll start to feature in towns and cities in more creative but practical ways. Green roofs and walls will be sought out.
4. Border and basket planting alternatives bed in
2025 will see a continued shift away from traditional bedding plants towards more long-lived, less thirsty and robust varieties, particularly in community gardens and public landscapes.
5. Front gardens on the frontline
With ever-increasing numbers of electric cars on the road, homeowners will be looking for landscaping options that provide easy access to charging points.
6. Gardeners start small
Small 9cm potted plants have proved popular in 2024, being cheaper than the standard 2- or 3-litre potted varieties and meaning gardeners can dabble with a greater variety of plants for the same price.
7. Carnivorous plants take a bite of the market
The advent of new peat-free formulations in 2024 is expected to benefit UK based propagation and breeding with increased availability, variety and appeal for sustainably minded growers.
8. Gardening for the fun of it
2024 saw a noticeable ripping up of the rulebook with people growing plants in ways that reflected their interests and personality rather than just for aesthetics or subsistence. This theme is set to continue in 2025 with a garden for dog lovers and one to inspire artistic creation set for the RHS Chelsea flower show.
