Trends in gardening for 2011? It often comes down to who you talk to: everyone has an opinion.

The Garden Media Group in Philadelphia, which puts out its list of trends annually, thinks that "gardening with a purpose", as it is manifested in the rise of community gardens and "greening of urban spaces" is one movement that stands out.

The group also sees a lot more gardening initiatives being launched at schools as well as more rooftop and "curbside" projects.

Garden Chic magazine sees an emerging trend in the way vintage garden furniture, especially metal chairs, rattan porch sliders and gem-encrusted tables, is being incorporated more and more into garden spaces.

The magazine also expects an increased use of water-saving devices, such as rain barrels, along with more emphasis on xeriscaping — landscaping with drought-tolerant plants.

Gardeners in B.C. are conscious of the need to create eco-friendly, wildlife-friendly gardens using water-saving plants and creating a sustainable, organic, chemical-free landscape, but there are other clearly identifiable trends. Here are the top 10 that I see emerging or continuing this year.

1. The garden as an outdoor living room

The idea to make the garden a natural extension of indoor living space is not new but now there will be an even greater emphasis on fuss-free, low-maintenance planting schemes and gardens equipped with all the bells-and-whistles of luxury outdoor living: barbecue kitchens, fire pits, ambient night lighting, sound-systems hardwired into permanent infrastructure, resort-quality patio furniture and colourful accents.

2. Food gardening

The trend that was started and largely driven by young, new gardeners in 2005 will become a little more refined as this new generation of gardeners learns more about what vegetables and fruit they can grow best and make the most use of and which produce they can store easily for later use. Beets, cabbage, potatoes, onions and garlic are all top picks along with fruit that is preservable in frozen form, juices or jams.

3. Community gardens

Expect to see more public spaces turned over to food gardens as more people living in apartments and townhouses get the opportunity in their own neighbourhood to get together with others to garden. This will involve more sharing of tools as well as seed, some of which will be heritage/heirloom varieties passed down through generations, as well as a free exchange of knowledge.

4. Green walls, green roofs

Green walls are still too expensive for widespread use in home gardens, but more gardeners are expected to experiment with creating their own green roofs on sheds and garages using easy-care plants like sempervivum and low-growing sedums.

5. Dahlia revival

The diversity of dahlias and the ease with which they can be cultivated will appeal more to time-strapped gardeners who want vibrant colour in among their vegetables when it comes time to harvest. Short bushy dahlias will also become more popular as a feature in the perennial border.

6. Container gardening

Expect super-colourful pots filled with non-stop flowering annuals and large containers used for growing herbs and vegetables. Herb containers will be especially popular with gardeners discovering the pleasure of harvesting ingredients from a pot placed right outside the kitchen door.

7. Rock bubblers

Self-contained water features, particularly the popular basalt-rock bubblers complete with fitted night light, are expected to find their way into more back yards because of the relaxing ambience they bring and the fact that they require minimal maintenance and are easier to accommodate than a full-sized pond.

8. Lawnless gardens

The lawn is under attack not only from European chafer beetle, but by environmental lobbyists who oppose the mindless use of high-nitrogen fertilizer and an excessive watering regimen. Many lawns will be converted to drought-tolerant creeping ground cover plants or used to grow vegetables or gravelled over and turned into a xeriscape or shade garden.

9. Gardening classes

There is an increasing appetite to learn how to garden properly. Classes and lectures on basic gardening techniques and fundamental principles will be more popular in 2011 and there will be more demand for books and websites that explain the simple how-to of gardening.

10. Hardy, evergreens

Plants that are hardy and evergreen, whether they be perennials or shrubs, will appeal to those looking for plants that give them more than one year of service. However, there will also be renewed enthusiasm for exotic, tender succulent, such as aeoniums and specialty echeveria, that add a spectacular tropical look to the summer garden.

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