We all loved the 1960's and 70's... I was born in 1979, so technically, I can just about get away with the second part of that. One great element of Horticulture that boomed in a way only previously seen during the Victorian era was the value of extensive houseplant gardening.
Following a trend that started a couple of years ago, I predict that...
Indoor gardening will reach all new levels.
The value of green spaces is better appreciated now than ever in history and as living spaces get smaller and population density increases we a experiencing less and less green outdoor space. Public parks and street trees are the only green space that many (particularly city dwellers) have, but they needn't be.
Indoor gardening is going through a Renaissance, ranging from the diversity of plant species being grown, to the manner in which we grow them. While a spider plant hanging on a windowsill or Peace Lily in a bathroom may still be the most common houseplant solutions, change is very much on the horizon for even the most reticent gardeners. Indoor bulbs like Amaryllis and Hippeastrum (pictured below will also increase in popularity).I'm even predicting that 1970's Macrame Plant Hangers are going to be big again!
I've been micro-gardening (for want of a better term) for many years now, using Kilner Jars, Demijohns, Bottle Jars, Aquariums and anything else I can get hold of to create micro-landscapes using mosses, ferns, exotic climbing and trailing plants with rocks, bogwood and twigs to form structured, but freeflowing landscapes. Over the last two years, I have extended a hobby of mine (fish keeping), where I have for over 25 years now created aquascapes and used some plants that are more commonly aquatic in nature in very humid sealed micro-scapes. I'll share pictures of my recent projects soon, but in the meantime, enjoy these generic stock photos (below).
There is a lot that can be done here and the inventiveness of the creator is the only factor limiting creativity.
Outside of sealed and typically humid landscapes, I have most recently been working with arid-scapes, using airplants Tillandsia species mostly, affixed to stone or wood and cacti (yes, I know they don't grow together and I don't care) to experiment with ultra-low maintenance houseplant combinations.
Where once I would have planted a single species in a pot, I am now much more inclined to put three of more plants into a larger pot and create a scene and I see this as a good use of space and resource to provide the gardener with workable planted solutions. Less individual pots to maintain means easier times for all.
As well as a more diverse range of plants available, more creative uses of plants and interior-scaping, I think we will see more in the way of indoor gardens created. Perhaps these will be the preserve of the wealthy, or business premises, but I'm hoping and indeed predicting that some dedicated souls, myself included will have a go at making gardens indoors. Time will tell.
One final element of interior-scaping that we should consider is the availability of ready made, cost effective solutions to install Green Walls/Living Wall indoors. Definitely something for the future.
Image, ITN - Indoor Living Wall installed by Scotscape. (c) Scotscape. Visit their site by clicking here to view this and more projects.
So, whether you have a windowsill, or a conservatory, a jar or an unused aquarium, I hope you all have a go at making your own interior scapes in 2020 and beyond.
Definitely worth following James Wong on Instagram as he is producing some absolutely wonderful micro-landscapes and has created some video guides on how to. Click on his name to follow link to his Insta page. I promise that you won't regret it!
