Page 38 2024 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April 2024 Trends in gardening: When you’re hot you’re hot, but when you’re not you could be cool Hot pink, blazing orange, sunny yellow, and fiery red step aside because this year the best trend may have a cooler temperature. We’re talking black. That’s right, black. While everyone knows that the little black dress is a timeless fashion statement, this year the little black plant may also be wildly popular in gardens around the country. In March, the Logan County Master Gardeners hosted their annual Russel Allen Garden Day at the Oasis Senior Center in Lincoln. The day consisted of breakout sessions on various topics in the first two-thirds of the day and a keynote speaker in the last hour. This year the keynote speakers were Anne and Lee Niepagen of Wendell Niepagen Greenhouses in Bloomington. Anne led the talk with input and contributions from Lee from time to time. The talk was titled “What’s new in the gardening world in 2023-2024?” Niepagen began by explaining the title. She said that each year she and Lee go to a garden tradeshow in Ohio, and they see what large name brand plant providers are predicting will be the big trend in gardening in the coming season. There is a problem with the predictions though. Niepagen said what they predict is usually in short supply in that first year, and because it is a proven name making the prediction, it is in high demand. Consequently, those trendy plants sell out quickly and many greenhouses like Niepagen’s are left to wait until the next year when the old trend is less trendy and becomes more in supply and less in demand. Therefore, trends in this part of the country are usually finding their footing a year behind other areas. Even so, she added that these trends are or can be timeless and even though perhaps a bit behind the leaders, this part of the world takes to the new suggestions with great enthusiasm. A growing trend in this area that may intensify this year is setting aside a portion of the garden for cut-flowers for floral bouquets. Niepagen said that folks enjoy having fresh cut flowers in their home. Flowers add a sunny personality to any room. But, buying those floral arrangements or even a clump bouquet at a big box store can be costly, which adds up over time. Continued --
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzExODA=