The Rise of Hortifuturism: A Look into the Future of Gardens
Sci-fi and futurism are no longer limited to movies and books; they are now making their way into our gardens. According to The Garden Media Group's 23rd annual trend report, hortifuturism is set to become a major gardening trend in 2024.
Hortifuturism is all about embracing a sci-fi aesthetic in the garden. This trend will feature neon colors, metallic hues, and unique forms, creating an innovative and futuristic look. With climate change and habitat loss becoming more pressing issues, hortifuturism aims to bring optimism for the future of botanical life.
Biophilic design, which focuses on incorporating nature into our living spaces, has been gaining popularity in recent years. Hortifuturism takes this concept to the next level, infusing our gardens with a sense of imagination and possibility.
Creating your own Hortifuturism garden is a trend that is gaining popularity in cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Inspired by displays such as the "Astra Lumina" at the South Coast Botanic Garden and the Flower Show in Philadelphia, these gardens embrace a bright and ethereal aesthetic. One aspect of Hortifuturism is the concept of night gardens, which are designed to be enjoyed after dusk. These gardens feature plant life that shines best in the moonlight or blooms after sundown, often with white and silvery foliage that takes on an illuminated and glowing effect under a starry night. Not only are these flowers visually stunning, but they also tend to be very fragrant and attract nocturnal pollinators like bats, moths, and beetles. Another aspect of Hortifuturism is the idea of survivalist gardens, which are grown with the intention of being self-reliant on your own plants for things like medicinal herbs, spices, and homegrown foods. This approach allows individuals to draw back from dependency on other sources and provide themselves with sustenance and essential items on a daily basis.
After learning about the new phenomenon of Hortifuturism, it's hard not to feel the excitement of divulging this trend yourself. Finding the right plants to fit the eccentric and other-worldly traits may initially seem challenging, but many different flowers and plants are waiting to join your sci-fi garden this upcoming spring. Some botanical life that takes on an extraterrestrial-like appearance includes flowers like the Osteospermum 'White Spoon,' a white and purple flower with slender petals that bubble at the ends – looking like a spoon. The crested euphorbia cactus with its wavy fan-like shape and the 'Sterling Moon' Lunar Lights Begonia with its silver, pointed foliage are just a few more to consider.
The moonflower is a bright white blossom that opens up at night and illuminates in the dark, entering the night garden category. The 'Queen of Hearts' Brunnera is a dark silver heart-shaped plant with intricate veining just waiting to be admired in the moonlight. Forget-me-nots, Baby's Breath, and Silver Bullet are the perfect night garden accent flowers. We can't forget to add in some neon lights and bright flowers like the Gentians Gentiana Verna or display the lime green foliage of a Neon Pothos. If a survivalist garden is more up your alley, experiment with medicinal herbs alongside your favorite fruits and vegetables. Chamomile, lemon balm, marigolds, and Echinacea are just a few. We commonly use many spices in our kitchens that can also be administered as first aid.
