Gardening trends for 2008 and beyond

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It's hard to deny that trends hold a fascination for most of us.  Learning about them serves as a guide to some, but even for those who don't plan on following the pack, sometimes there's a touch of self-satisfaction in knowing you're already way ahead of the game.

Eco-chic gardening
Chemically dependent gardens are becoming passé.  Gardens in all shapes and sizes, grown with environmentally conscious techniques, are part of the green movement.  Earth-friendly gardeners should look for products with earth-friendly ingredients, such as organic deer repellent, soil amendments, insecticides, potting soil and fertilizers. To help conserve water, consumers are turning to the next generation of water holding technology. Disease-resistant plants like the Knock Out family of shrub roses are also making eco-chic gardening easier than ever before.

Buying local
Local has become a quality distinction marker for food consumption, as well as environmental causes.  At their root, local products are believed by consumers to have traveled shorter distances, to be fresher, to have fewer pesticides, and in general, to be of higher quality than mass-produced or imported products.

Wise waterfalls
If water gardening is hot, pondless waterfalls are hotter. They offer the lovely sound of a trickling stream without the worry of harboring mosquitoes or tending to fish. Available in kits (with everything but the rocks and plants), this clever cascade sends the water into a stone-covered sunken plastic reservoir instead of a pond. From there, a pump recirculates it to the top of the watercourse.  Bog and water plants can still be planted along the edges, and birds can drink and bathe.

Outdoor rooms
The practice of blending indoor with outdoor living spaces continues into 2008 with even more glamorous additions. You'll see outdoor kitchens, bars, propane heaters, showers, sound systems, built-in seating, fire pits, barbecue ranges, decorative wall fences complete with waterproof artwork and furniture with weather-resistant coverings.

Container gardens
Container gardening is more than potting plants. Container gardening gives you a chance to experiment with and hone your design skills. It gives you a chance to play with tropical plants that won't survive our winters, tiny gems that would get lost in your borders, color combinations that can be changed each year or each season, new plants you want to test drive and old favorites you just like having around. "Pot-scaping" or clustering groups of containers is a hot trend, but equally popular is using containers to fill in holes in the garden border or to create seasonal interest. Containers are the perfect addition to outdoor rooms and entertainment areas, where you want the luxury of plants without the major upkeep of a border.

Gardeners with limited space can make use of stairways, railings, and stoops. There is virtually nothing you can't grow in a pot: trees, perennials, herbs, vegetables -- and it's easier on the knees and back.

Attracting wildlife
Attracting wildlife to your outdoor space is a crucial aspect of gardening. Try planting perennials such as blazing star and salvias to lure hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Plant shrubs for food and nests. With the planet under climate assault, we have to be stewards at least in our own gardens.

Geometric shapes
Shrubs clipped into simple geometric forms bring crisp definition to borders and containers, while animal shapes such as closely sheared sheep add wit and whimsy. Boxwood and yew respond well to clipping, but if you don't trust yourself to work freehand, wire topiary forms are available. These are either placed over a shrub, which is then trimmed to the outline, or filled with sphagnum moss and planted with low-growing spreaders.

Extreme colors
This year, it's all about the extremes. From purple carrots to vibrant new roses, color is taking center stage. Last year the trend was toward a more pastel garden, but this year, anything vibrant is what is really hot, especially warm tones like orange, gold, and mango.

Raised beds
Raised beds are also very popular this year. As outdoor space becomes premium, many gardeners are figuring out how to do more with less room. These raised beds have several bonuses for a gardener, the most obvious being that it is easier on your back. Try to find a raised bed with several levels for a terraced effect.

New age sheds
No longer relegated to the far corner of the yard, today's garden shed has taken on new life as a multipurpose structure, increasing the space of your home. It may be used for meditation, entertaining, potting plants, storage, or as a playhouse, guestroom, or even a home office. Stylish prefab sheds are assuming architectural relevance in a myriad of styles and building materials, including wood, aluminum, glass, sheet metal, plastic, and more.