Real Simple published their garden trends for 2024 this week. The article by Morgan Noll provides valuable insights for Airbnb hosts looking to enhance their outdoor spaces and clues to what potential rentals may be searching for. Here’s a breakdown of the key trends and how they can benefit your short-term rental:
1. Environmental Considerations:
- Leave the leaves: This eco-friendly practice reduces waste and provides winter shelter for beneficial insects.
- Use battery-powered equipment: Lower carbon emissions and contribute to a quieter environment for your guests.
- Create habitats for overwintering insects: Leaving perennials standing helps wildlife and encourages biodiversity.
- Rewilding: Convert portions of your lawn into meadows with native plants, creating a beautiful and low-maintenance space.
- Use peat-free potting soil: Support sustainable practices and protect vital wetland ecosystems.
- Buy native plants: Promote biodiversity, reduce water usage, and support local ecosystems.
2. Growing Fruit:
- Try persimmons, pawpaws, or dwarf fruit trees: Offer unique experiences for your guests and enjoy delicious homegrown fruit.
- Consider container fruit gardening: Ideal for smaller spaces, allowing you to grow blueberries, figs, and strawberries on your patio.
- If you’re not local, this may not be a trend for you. Over-ripened fruit can be a turn-off for guests and attract pests.
3. Houseplant Decor:
- Incorporate trendy houseplants: Dracaena, Monstera, pothos, Anthurium, Epipremnum, Alocasia, and Philodendron are popular choices.
- Cater to “plant parents”: Offer amenities like watering cans, plant stands, and information resources but don’t rely on them to water/prune your plants.
4. Ecological Certifications:
- Get recognized for your eco-friendly efforts: Programs like Home Grown National Park and Pollinator-Friendly Garden offer official recognition.
- Attract environmentally conscious guests: Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and responsible gardening practices. (Just assure them that it’s no extra work for them.)
5. Pollinator-Friendly Gardens:
- Plant pollinator-attracting flowers: Pycnanthemum, mountain mint; Eutrochium (syn. Eupatorium) Joe-pye weed; Liatris, gayfeathers; Echinacea, coneflowers; and Asclepias, milkweeds are good options.
- Create bee hotels and nesting sites: Provide essential habitat for pollinators and encourage biodiversity.
- Offer educational materials about pollinators: Inform your guests and showcase your commitment to environmental conservation.
6. Mitigating Climate Change:
- Plant heat and drought-tolerant native species: Adapt your garden to changing weather patterns and reduce water usage.
- Utilize waterwise gardening practices: Implement strategies like mulching and rainwater harvesting to conserve water.
- Consider gravel gardens, rain gardens, or swale gardens: These innovative garden designs are both beautiful and functional, promoting sustainable water management.
7. Boxwood Substitutes:
- Explore alternative evergreens: Inkberry holly is a good option that is resistant to boxwood blight.
- Choose blight-resistant boxwood varieties: Newer cultivars offer increased protection against this fungal disease.
8. Planting More Grasses and Sedges:
- Utilize ornamental grasses: These versatile plants add texture and movement to your garden and provide habitat for beneficial insects.
- Incorporate native grasses: Contribute to local ecosystems and create a natural, low-maintenance landscape.
9. Hydrangeas:
- Embrace this popular choice: Hydrangeas offer vibrant blooms and diverse varieties to suit various garden styles.
- Consider new introductions: The First Editions Eclipse Hydrangea and Sweet Starlight Hydrangea offer unique foliage and compact size.
10. Tropical Plants:
- Add a touch of the tropics: Plants like elephant ears and bold-foliaged begonias can create a vibrant and exotic atmosphere.
- Utilize them for seasonal impact: Enjoy the tropical vibe throughout summer and into fall.
Overall, these trends offer exciting opportunities for Airbnb hosts to create beautiful, sustainable, and guest-centric outdoor spaces. By incorporating these elements, you can attract eco-conscious guests, enhance their experience, and contribute to a healthier planet.
Additional Considerations for Airbnb hosts:
- Maintenance: Choose plants that are low-maintenance to minimize your workload and ensure your garden remains beautiful year-round.
- Local sourcing: Support local nurseries and plant growers to find native species and unique varieties.
- Guest education: Provide information about your garden, including plant names and care tips, to enhance the guest experience.
- Seasonal changes: Consider incorporating plants that offer different colors and textures throughout the seasons to create a dynamic and visually appealing landscape.
By following these tips and embracing the top gardening trends for 2024, you can transform your Airbnb property’s outdoor space into an inviting oasis that will leave your guests feeling