European flair hits the states

Traveling at least twice a year to Europe to visit breeders allows me to keep up with gardening trends. Yeah, I know, it’s a super job, and the more I watch what is going on in our industry trend-wise, the more I realize it echoes fashion in many ways. This year, I noticed more than ever the trends in Europe are similar to what we are seeing in the U.S. We are not as immersed in some, but I think we are catching up.

How do the trends echo fashion? Have you noticed how short the women/young adult dresses are? I mean, really, are we supposed to wear bloomers again, like they did way back? The dresses are so short you can’t bend over without exposing yourself to many things. Not to mention that you must have great legs to wear them. These new lengths are discriminating, in my humble opinion. Compare that to all the short plants being introduced. Uh-huh, now you see what I’m talking about, right?

And what’s with all of the pink and orange accessories in garden centers? When we developed our new Plants Nouveau logo, we thought we were going against the horticultural grain. A plant industry company with a pink and orange logo – gasp! But now, pink and orange is everywhere. Every department store you walk into has outfits in pink and orange, bed spreads and linens in pink and orange – it’s totally hip. I saw so many pots, ribbons and accessories in the floral displays in Europe in pink and orange – I think we are onto something.

Horticulture definitely mimics fashion, and for good reason.

Trend number one
Pink and orange is hot. It’s everywhere. Seriously, the Plants Nouveau logo was way ahead of its time. I saw pink and orange floral arrangements, fabrics, pots and accessories and clothing. Perhaps we set the trend?

Trend number two
Short plants are very hot for growers, retailers and consumers. I don’t much like this trend. Growers and retailers want them because they can ship more for less. Retailers also want them because they usually look better in a pot on an end cap for consumer displays. Consumers want them, well...because we are telling them that’s what they want. Many have smaller spaces, so this trend could be justified for them, but some consumers just think every plant in a garden center should be no larger than a 3-foot circle, so anything taller or vase-shaped or a little wild looking or unruly will sit and sit and never sell, and that’s sad for me. What will gardens look like in 10 years if there are no plants sold that are taller than 3 feet?

Trend number three
Mini plants (not to be confused with short plants) are especially hot in the gift plant market right now. Mini campanulas, violets, roses, lucky bamboo, kalanchoe, succulents, even one-stemmed hydrangeas are all wildly popular. And why? I don’t know. But I think it is the cuteness factor. Maybe they are easier to carry to a dinner party? Perhaps they fit better on our smaller windowsills? But they are hot and you can now see them in the average American grocery store.

Trend number four
The one trend I wish would go away is the coloring of plants. Have you seen the painted succulents everywhere? Poor things. It’s so sad. I’ve seen orchids, succulents, hydrangea, carnations and even foliage plants painted. And most of these are literally spray-painted, while the orchids are fed a dye that colors the flowers.

Trend number five
Another trend I see here and in Europe is an attitude that says, “If it doesn’t do something for me or feed me or the wildlife, I won’t have it.” That’s a good trend. Doug Tallamy would be proud. Mini patio fruits, mini and smaller berry bushes, climbing fruits like kiwis, goji berries and other good-for-you fruits are trending now worldwide. BrazelBerries is doing a good job spreading this trend in the U.S. Greenleaf Nursery in Oklahoma has a line of columnar apple trees called Urban Apple. They are grafted fruit trees perfect for patio plantings.

Just because it’s trendy, doesn’t mean you have to grow it or sell it. (Refer to my short-plants comment.) But it helps to keep a watchful eye on the Europeans when it comes to fashion and floral trends, whether you’re planning to copy them or buck them.

Angela Treadwell-Palmer is founder of Plants Nouveau, a company that represents new plant introductions. She travels the world looking for new plants.