Walking around the latest garden trade shows in Europe, it doesn’t take long to spot that something BIG is going on in the way of new garden trends. The format isn’t new, but how it’s being interpreted is completely pushing the boundaries…

We’re still seeing hedging plants – because they are still the best way to create screened garden spaces. Edging plants are also still part of the picture as well – plants that sit at the front of garden beds. And there’s also the bit in between which is filled with other plants. So far – so ordinary. But here’s where the rule book has been shut, and fearless experimentation has taken over.

To start with, the hedges are no longer demure green, subtle backdrops for the garden. No way. Think instead of plants which function as a screen but also have a lot more going on in the way of foliage colour or flowers. Red leafed Photinia. Flower spangled Fairy Magnolias®. Funky foliaged spinning gums and the strikingly bold foliage of Fatsia or Castor Oil plant. In other words, a background hedge that is bold and attention grabbing.

Then the same sort of deal is happening at the front where the edging plants grow. Rainbow bright Pacific™ Coprosmas. Gorgeous new Hebe Surf™ series. Flower Carpet® roses. Again the new garden trend is for remarkable plants. So we’ve now got a lot going on in both the background and the foreground. But wait, there’s more to come.

The garden bed in between gets the same treatment, but here there’s complete freedom to pick whatever. Grasses planted with Heuchera. Brightly coloured annuals. Variegated ivy, ferns and barrel cactus. It’s almost as if someone’s decided they like this plant, and this, and also this and then popped them all in together without waiting to be told that’s not how it’s done. The results are bold, surprisingly good and inspiring…