Patio Culture is a Top Garden Design Trend for 2026
March 12, 2026 | 3 min to read
Consumer research shows homeowners see gardening as a way to connect and relax
Dayton, Oregon – Whether decompressing from a hard day or having a space to gather with loved ones and everything in between, gardeners are creating a place to relax and unwind. Where is this place? Data shows many homeowners are gravitating to the patio – both in the front of the house and the backyard.
Patio Culture is a top garden design trend for 2026. Each year Monrovia Nursery – the nation’s largest grower of premium shrubs, trees, and perennials – conducts extensive consumer research with more than 1,400 homeowners to showcase the top garden design trends to watch. That research data, paired with analysis of digital and print media, consumer behavior, and adjacent industries such as design, food, and art, helps formulate the garden design insights report.
“As we mark Monrovia’s 100th anniversary, we are celebrating past innovations and looking forward to what’s next in gardening,” says Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter for Monrovia. “Our latest research has shown that interest in gardening overall is holding steady year over year despite economic worries and pressures. The main motivation in gardening continues to be about creating spaces that help us lower our stress. In fact, 48% of those surveyed strongly agree that gardening is good for mental health and well-being.”
Patio Culture is a trend worth watching. Research shows that for older homeowners especially, the patio is seen as an extension of the living room. For some it is a backyard sanctuary. For others it is a front yard space that helps them connect with neighbors, friends, and family.
“There is more interest than ever in gardening on decks and patios,” says Tamony. “We’re seeing the biggest increase in container gardening with older gardeners, but this is a trend that reaches every demographic, especially gardeners who want elegant outdoor spaces that are low maintenance. They are creating whole gardens on their patios with beautiful containers filled with interesting and unique plants.”
“Patio Culture is all about pushing beyond having just a few annuals in your outdoor living area,” adds Tamony. “Modern breeding work is creating selections that stay compact, so just about every shrub and perennial can be grown in a container, offering more options for an elevated look.”
Patio Culture focuses on extending living space outside. Gardeners are looking for plants that soften the hardscape of outdoor living areas, adding greenery, pops of color, and plants that add fragrance. The palette can be subtle to create a feeling of calm.
Ferns, grasses, and broad-leafed evergreens are being used for structure and movement. Climbing vines such as jasmine or mandevilla add height and fragrance. Tropicals add texture and make the space unique.
About Monrovia
Inspired by the beauty of plants, gardens, and landscapes everywhere, Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. founded Monrovia in 1926 to be a premier grower of shrubs and trees. For more than 100 years the Monrovia name has been a mark of horticultural craftsmanship and excellence. Monrovia collaborates with plant breeders around the world to introduce improved plant varieties to North America. Because of their breeding and handcrafted care, Monrovia plants flourish once planted to beautify gardens and landscapes. Please visit Monrovia.com to learn more.