Industry Sees Plant Trends Taking a Turn

Expect to see more eco-conscious and unconventional plants in homes and gardens for 2020, according to horticultural experts with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

- Samantha Grenrock

Here are some of the hottest trends to look for in the new year.

1. NATIVE PLANTS

Plants are considered native to your area if they naturally occur there. “One trend I have noticed lately is residents asking about and seeking out native plants that work in our area for their landscape needs,” says Kate Rotindo, urban horticulture agent for UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County.

Native plants are generally lower maintenance, requiring less water, pruning and fertilizer, and grow well in their native range, which has made them increasingly attractive to homeowners and commercial landscapes, Rotindo says.

2. PLANTS FOR WILDLIFE

In recent years, plants that attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators have gotten attention for their positive environmental impact, says Wendy Wilber, state coordinator for the UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

“Now people are becoming more aware of how plants can benefit and attract the wildlife we enjoy seeing in our yards,” she says. For example, plants with berries attract birds, and layering plants of various heights provides hiding places for other species.

3. DWARF VARIETIES