Better Homes And Gardens Spring 2021

With spring officially here, many of us will be getting our garden forks at the ready and heading outside to tidy up our spaces.

Whether you're wondering what to prune and plant, or need some inspiration on garden accessories, Compare The Market has teamed up with Nikki Hollier, founder of Border in a Box, to reveal the top gardening trends set to surge this spring/summer.

1. Vertical gardens and allotments

Vertical gardens and local allotments are brilliant for growing your own tasty produce — especially if you don't have a large outdoor space of your own. In fact, searches for vertical gardens are up by 485 per cent, while allotments have surged by 92 per cent as more Brits turned to gardening in lockdown.

Nikki Hollier, founder of Border in a Box, adds: 'It probably comes as no surprise that vertical and allotment gardens are set to be the biggest trends as Brits look to make the most out of limited outdoor space and grow their own healthy produce. For gardening enthusiasts looking for something a little edgy, a vertical garden allows plants to grow along vertical surfaces such as fence panels.'

The top trends tipped to surge this summer, vertical gardens and allotments are the best ways to create an oasis of flowers, herbs, salad or fruit outside. Why not have a go this spring?

Wooden box full of freshly picked vegetables, including carrots, beetroots and potatoes.

Mint Images Getty Images

2. Raised flower beds

Raised flower beds should also be on your radar this year, with a 47 per cent search increase. As well as being great for growing vegetables, they are also recommended for dog owners to help prevent their four-legged friends from damaging plants.

Raised flower beds can help to improve soil temperature and drainage, while making it easier for less able gardeners to tend to their plants without kneeling down.

Homebase

Forest Garden Wooden Caledonian Corner Raised Bed

3. Insta-worthy plants

Slip on your gardening gloves and get your hands on the Insta-worthy plants rising in popularity. According to Compare The Market, Swiss Cheese Plants (+254 per cent) followed by the Devil's Ivy (+117 per cent) will be the must-have houseplants this season.

Bloombox Club

Elsewhere, the fragrant and bee-friendly English lavender (+56 per cent), which is used to treat various ailments and is a popular choice in cottage gardens and herb beds, is another plant to embrace this year. 'English lavender is also set to cause a stir with its calming medicinal qualities,' explains Nikki. 'Lavender can be highly beneficial for our mood, heart rate, and quality of sleep.'

a bee on a lavender flower, on a warm summers day

Melanie Hobson Getty Images

4. Stylish accessories

Whether you're tending to your back garden, balcony, or your indoor plants, complete your set up with a selection of stylish garden accessories. For the upcoming months, accessory trends to have on your radar include macramé for plant hangers (+103 per cent search increase), rattan plant pots (+71 per cent), and window boxes (40 per cent).

Crocus

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23 stylish garden accessories to spruce up your outdoor space

Outdoor Mirror - Best Garden Accessories

Creekwood Mirror

Creekwood amazon.co.uk

£44.91

Plant Stand - Best Garden Accessories

Barrington Plant Stand

Barrington gardentrading.co.uk

£120.00

Display your collection of plants, flowers and herbs with the Barrington Plant Stand. This three-tiered unit has shelves of varying depths allowing you to arrange the larger pots on the bottom, and smaller at the top.

Fireplace - Best Garden Accessories

Outdoor Iron Fireplace with Grill,

Create an ambience, keep warm and even cook all on the same piece of furniture: an iron fireplace. Not only does it look super-chic, it's as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.

Hanging Chair - Best Garden Accessories

Abbingt Hanging Chair

If you can't quite get on board with a hammock (literally) then a hanging chair is the next best (if not better) option. It's the grown-ups version of a hammock and means you don't need two trees to tie it to.

Garden Lanterns - Best Garden Accessories

Solar Lanterns

Tom-shine amazon.co.uk

£29.83

These outdoor solar lanterns create mesmerising patterns across your patio or shrubbery at night. The soft lighting adds a calm glow to an outdoor space and, best of all, there's no need for batteries or an electric point outside.

Insect House - Best Garden Accessories

CJ Wildlife Apex Insect House

National Trust nationaltrust.org.uk

£25.00

Create a haven for insects with this beautiful wooden insect house. Hang no higher than two metres from the ground and watch as buzzing bees and insects alike use the holes to lay their eggs.

Bird Bath - Best Garden Accessories

Round Terracotta Bird Bath, Green

nationaltrust.org.uk

£16.00

Give the birds somewhere safe to drink with this round glazed terracotta bird bath. Simply place in your garden, fill with water and watch as the garden birds come to visit. Make sure you keep it topped up.

Storage Boxes - Best Garden Accessories

Set of 2 Wooden Storage Boxes, £28

gardentrading.co.uk

Neatly hide away any bits and bobs with this set of two wooden storage boxes. Use it to carry cuttings or fresh produce, or to keep your shed organised.

Garden Lanterns - Best Garden Accessories

Summer Lantern Candle Holder, Pink/Blue

John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com

£35.00

This colourful candle lantern is a great addition for summer garden parties.

Garden Lights - Best Garden Accessories

10 Geo Shape Solar String Lights

Smart Solar very.co.uk

£19.99

Brighten up your outdoor space with these stylish solar string lights. Designed to illuminate automatically at dusk, they charge in direct sunlight. We also love that they are waterproof, too.

Outdoor Plant Pots - Best Garden Accessories

Three Oval Trough Planters

Watering Can - Best Garden Accessories

Metal watering can

Keep your outdoor plants hydrated with this stylish metal watering can. With a rounded handle at the top and narrow spout at the front, it's also available in classic silver.

Festoon Lights - Best Garden Accessories

20 Warm White Carnival Plug In Festoon Lights

Brighten up a summer's evening with these on-trend festoon lights. Either hang around a tree, along a fence or on a festoon pole. Ideal for creating an Insta-worthy look.

Outdoor Table - Best Garden Accessories

Ipanema Round 4 Seater Garden Table

Argos Home argos.co.uk

£75.00

Spruce up your patio with Argos Home's playful yellow garden table, perfect for popping drinks on when relaxing outdoors.

Garden Sculpture - Best Garden Accessories

Bluebell Handmade Recycled Metal Garden Sculpture

CHI-AFRICA notonthehighstreet.com

US$22.49

Made from recycled metals, such as car bodies and oil drums, this bluebell garden sculpture will look great nestled amongst grass and flower borders.

Fire Pit - Best Garden Accessories

Industrial Fire Pit In Two Sizes

notonthehighstreet.com

£160.00

Outdoor Games - Best Garden Accessories

Outdoor Wooden Tension Tower Game

Chad Valley argos.co.uk

£24.50

Looking to have some phone-free fun with the family this summer? This beautiful wooden tower game is great for both indoor and outdoor use.

Outdoor Rug - Best Garden Accessories

Catalpa Indoor/Outdoor Palm Leaf Rug

Rugs don't just have to be for inside the home: bring comfort underfoot with this beautiful green outdoor rug. It has been made from polypropylene — a highly durable material that is easy to care for.

Garden Ornament - Best Garden Accessories

Hand Blown Clear Glass Self Watering

Siyaglass amazon.co.uk

£10.99

This hand-blown glass snail offers an attractive way to keep plants watered. It slowly releases water into the soil around your plants as needed, which is great news if you don't have time to water them yourself.

Solar Garden Lights - Best Garden Accessories

Grand patio Garden Solar Lights

Grand patio amazon.co.uk

£54.98

A striking sculpture as well as a useful patio light, recharge the battery for more than eight hours with enough sunshine and it will keep aglow for six to eight hours at night.

Outdoor Drinks Trolley - Best Garden Accessories

Coated Metal Drinks Trolley

THE FOREST & CO notonthehighstreet.com

US$95.00

Serve up chilled beverages in style with this stylish drinks trolley. The wheels make it easy to move across decking, while the metal coating makes it waterproof.

Shed Sign - Best Garden Accessories

Personalised Hanging Metal Garden Shed Sign

DELIGHTFUL LIVING notonthehighstreet.com

£32.00

This personalised hanging metal sign can be printed with bespoke wording, making it the ideal accessory for a garden, shed, allotment or veg patch. The sign comes with either a rope or suede hanger.

Floor Cushions - Best Garden Accessories

Habitat Floor Cushion - Grey

Habitat argos.co.uk

£18.00

Transform your seating area with this cosy floor cushion. Made from 100 per cent cotton, it will give your garden an instant refresh. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.

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