Brutalism, Biodiversity and Bee Hotels: Here Are the Top Garden Trends That Will Define 2025

If The Brutalist’s Oscar nomination proves anything, it’s that bold, unpolished design is having a moment—and gardens are no exception. Brutalist Gardens strip away the frills in favor of stark beauty: raw concrete planters, corten steel installations and sculptural plants like agave and yucca that look straight out of a dystopian dream. It’s a direct response to the softness of past garden trends—clean, modern and effortlessly cool. Just like the film’s exploration of ambition and adaptation, this trend is about working with the landscape rather than forcing it into something it’s not. It leans into the tension between creation and environment, embracing structure over excess, and proving that minimalism isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about purpose.

Sticking with the theme of less is more, water-wise gardening—aka “xeriscaping”—is taking over. This trend is all about swapping thirsty grass for drought-tolerant plants like lavender, ornamental grasses and creeping thyme. Picture a sun-drenched yard with soft, low-maintenance groundcovers, sleek gravel pathways and sculptural agave instead of a lawn that constantly needs mowing. Mulch locks in moisture, deep-rooted natives thrive with little upkeep and drip irrigation ensures every drop of water goes exactly where it’s needed—meaning lower water bills, less erosion and fewer pesticides. Plus, this kind of landscaping isn’t just better for you—it’s better for everything around you, supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies while reducing environmental strain. And with states like California cracking down on non-functional lawns, xeriscaping is more than just a trend—it’s the future of sustainable outdoor design.

Naturally, as a writer, I’m instinctively drawn to a backyard that feels like the setting of a gothic novel. Enter: The New Gothic Garden, where deep purples, inky blacks, and shadowy greens create a moody, dramatic escape. Basically, if Nosferatu had a garden, this would be it—black mondo grass creeping along the edges, Queen of the Night tulips blooming under the moonlight and Bat Flowers adding that eerie, otherworldly touch. With dark romanticism everywhere (Wednesday Addams-core, Victorian fashion, even lace gloves making a comeback), it makes sense to see gardens following suit. This look is less about neat flower beds and more about atmosphere—wrought-iron trellises, antique lanterns and ivy-covered pathways that feel like they hold secrets. And beyond aesthetics, darker foliage is surprisingly easy to maintain, making this look both low-maintenance and high-impact.

With grocery prices soaring, more people are turning their backyards into functional food sources. Foodscaping blends edible plants—like fruit trees, container veggies and vertical herb gardens—seamlessly into landscaping. Picture an apple tree providing dappled shade, tomato vines thriving in patio planters, and rosemary spilling from a chic wall-mounted balcony garden. Meanwhile, TikTokkers are raving about foraging gardens, featuring medicinal herbs, wild edibles and, most popularly, mushroom gardens. Home cultivation of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms is booming, tapping into the intersection of DIY wellness and survivalist culture. With people rethinking traditional lawns in favor of nutrient-dense greenery, foodscaping signals that gardens can be both beautiful and deliciously practical.

Similarly, forget overpriced grocery store bouquets—homegrown floral arrangements are the new status symbol. Cut flower gardens aren’t just about pretty landscaping; they’re designed for harvesting, blending seasonal, Instagram-worthy blooms with the slow-living appeal of gardening. Think: spring tulips, summer dahlias and moody fall chrysanthemums—all grown in rotating cycles for a steady supply of fresh stems. Whether it’s DIY floral styling, gifting hand-tied bouquets or even starting a small-scale flower farm, this trend taps into the quiet luxury of growing your own high-end florals. No surprise it’s exploding on TikTok and Instagram—what’s more aesthetic (and wallet-friendly) than a perfectly curated vase of homegrown peonies?

Gardening is getting a glow-up—literally. Cyber Gardens are where tech and nature collide, turning backyards and indoor spaces into sleek, automated, futuristic green havens. AI-powered apps can now track soil moisture, sunlight and plant health in real time, while smart sensors and voice-controlled assistants (yes, you can tell Alexa to water your plants) take the guesswork out of care. Hydroponic and aeroponic systems also ditch the dirt entirely, making soil feel passé, with nutrient-rich water and mist growing fresh produce faster and cleaner than ever. And now, vertical gardening is getting a high-tech upgrade—smart irrigation and AI-assisted planning are making green walls and vertical farm systems the go-to for urban gardeners. And because Cyber Gardens are all about aesthetics, glowing bioluminescent plants, UV-reactive pathways and color-changing LED grow lights are turning ordinary spaces into something straight out of Blade Runner.

Not all gardens are meant for daytime. Moon Gardens are designed to glow under the night sky, layering silvery foliage, white-blooming flowers and soft, flickering light to create an ethereal, otherworldly escape. Imagine moonflowers unfurling at dusk, night-blooming jasmine filling the air with fragrance and lamb’s ear catching the light like velvet in the dark. Water features reflect the moon’s glow, while mirrored garden orbs and glass sculptures add depth and shimmer. It’s also worth mentioning that soundscaping is also becoming a key part of this trend—wind chimes, soft trickling fountains or even outdoor speakers playing ambient nature sounds help enhance the dreamy, meditative feel. Throw in a lantern-lit pathway alongside feathery fountain grass and ghost ferns, and you’re left with an oasis designed for unwinding after a long day.

Sustainability isn’t just about water conservation anymore—gardens are becoming full-blown ecosystems, designed to support birds, bees, butterflies and beyond. Wildlife-first gardens swap manicured lawns for native wildflowers, pollinator meadows, and even mini wetland zones, letting nature do its thing. Birdhouses are turning into sculptural focal points, “bee hotels” (see: above) are doubling as garden art, and hedgerows are replacing fences. With biodiversity loss making headlines and pollinator decline impossible to ignore, this trend isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about restoration. Less pruning, no pesticides and rewilding at its most intentional.

Finally, maximalism is back, and it’s making its way outside. Maximalist gardens embrace drama—black mondo grass against electric blue salvia, deep burgundy coleus popping against neon-yellow hostas. It’s high contrast, but make it botanical, with bold textures (spiky succulents next to feathery grasses), unexpected color pairings and moody, sculptural plants like agave and cordyline. Whether it’s goth gardens or modern landscapes, the common theme is impact. And with strategically placed lighting to enhance contrast at night? This trend is yet another rejection of beige, boring minimalism.