7 Gardening Trends to Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space in 2025—From Micro Forests to Wildlife Gardens

There’s more to a gorgeous garden than choosing pretty flowers and a few herbs. Our outdoor spaces have become a place to relax, recharge, entertain, eat, and just enjoy—and gardening trends have shown that we’re looking to get more and more out of every square inch of yard.

So are you ready to create your own mini forest to get lost in—or a perfect space to curl up with your favorite book? The landscaping experts at Bower and Branch have shared their favorite trends you’ll be seeing in a backyard near you next year.

Micro Forests

Even the smallest yard can embrace this trend, which creates a forest-inspired space by planting a cluster of trees and shrubs together, and adding forest-like ground cover such as ferns. This new trend is used as a replacement for traditional ways to create privacy in a yard, such as a line of arborvitae.

To bring it home, you have to think of the garden in layers. “A micro forest is typically going to include shade trees—larger ones—and understory trees that are meant to grow within the large tree canopies,” Singleton says. “Don’t forget your forest floor! This can include ground covers, shady perennials, and ferns.”

Shade Trees

As summers continue to heat up, shade has become an important backyard feature—and more homeowners are looking to add shade trees as a natural solution to help cool off their backyard.

To speed up the time until you can enjoy that shade, you’ll want to invest in more mature trees, rather than seedlings. And if you have the space, consider multiple tree types. “My recommendation is a mixed approach, choosing fast growing trees as well as those which require more time,” says Eaton. “Generally, it is the slower growing trees that eventually become the legacy trees that provide generational impact.”

Keep in mind the grow time when you’re choosing your plants. “A good rule of thumb for even faster growing trees is not to expect more than two to three feet per year,” Singleton says. “Some trees that grow faster can include sycamores, bald cypress, weeping willow, river birch, and tulip trees.”

Eaton also recommends sweetgum, catalpa, redbuds, cherry, hawthorn, and sweetbay magnolia.

Sustainable Landscaping

Environmental concerns have been playing a role in how people plan out their gardens, as they look to use native plants that require fewer pesticides and herbicides and less water to thrive. “People are embracing sustainable practices that include low-maintenance and drought-tolerant landscapes,” Singleton says. That includes replacing grass with low-maintenance ground cover, swapping in native plants, and incorporating edible gardens.

Wellness and Hobby Spaces

Move over, outdoor kitchens and living rooms. Now people are building their backyard to help them pursue their hobbies. Think sundecks for yoga, saunas, cold plunge pools, or a cozy fire pit and lounge seating for an outdoor reading nook. “Cold plunge pools are definitely gaining some traction with the idea of creating a spa-like environment at home,” Singleton says. “They are a fun addition to a space and don’t take up a ton of room. Yoga or meditation spaces can include water features for an auditory experience, and outdoor showers help you cool down after a sauna visit.

Vertical Gardening

No room to spread out? Think vertical! Utilizing vertical space, like walls or fences, is a great way to increase the amount of planting area you have—and also create plenty of privacy. “Vertical gardens can be used to screen unsightly views and add color to a small space,” Singleton says. Structures like trellises and pergolas, or wood slat walls with garden boxes, are used to support flowering vines, herbs, and flowers.

Wildlife-Friendly Gardens

As part of the sustainability trend, many people are creating customized gardens meant to draw in local wildlife. Gardens that feature pollinator-friendly trees and plants, birdhouses, water features, and diverse plantings are becoming especially popular as gardeners look to increase the biodiversity in their community. “Butterflies and birds seem to be the most requested species-themed gardens,” Singleton says. To plan one yourself, ensure you have food, water, and shelter covered for the species you’re hoping to see in your space.

Smart Gardens

As our homes become smarter, so do the gardens outside. Smart lighting and irrigation systems have become especially popular, as they make it easier to care for a garden and deploy precious water more effectively. “The ability to control these two elements from a mobile device is game-changing and can ultimately save you a lot of money too,” Singleton says.