Page 40 2024 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April 2024 Something easier to find in this area and equally as easy to grow is white clover. This ground cover will withstand foot traffic, is drought resistant, and requires little in the line of fertilization. What is funny about this is that this is a throw-back trend, as back in the 1940s lawns that contained white clover even in part were considered to be a cut above the neighbor next door who had none. White clover can and should be mowed from time to time but will not require the mowing of a regular grass lawn. Another big trend this year will be a push to hang plants to brighten and decorate boring spaces. Niepagen said that planters on porches with give the area a finished look and also be inviting to those approaching the house. Covering plain-Jane fences with trailing plants can also take a space from drab and boring to bright and inviting. Though black is trending, Niepagen said that the trade show also offered opinions on the “2024 color of the year.” Cyber Lime is going to be a big one. She showed a slide with plants of that color mixed in with deep reds and greens being used as a backdrop for a bright red outdoor café’ table and chair. She said that the area had a French appeal to it, and with the colors of the furniture and plants complementing each over it had a very nice, finished look. Another color trend is going to be Peach Fuzz. Not quite orange, not quite pink, Niepagen said this was going to be one of her personal favorites for the year. Niepagen said there are always going to be new trends coming to the garden. It is the job of the large plant providers to create that buzz through marketing then sell it, and their job will never end. At the same time, there are some tried and true “trends” that will remain year in and year out. Those trends include growing for wildlife and pollinators. She said that growing plants that draw birds and pollinator insects is always going to be popular, and it is also an environmentally responsible act, as depletion of those populations would hurt the environment in many ways. When thinking about trends and what is going to be popular in the growing season there are a couple of words of advice. First, “if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you do it too?” In other words, it may be a trend, but if it doesn’t touch your heart and make you smile, then it is not a trend for you. On the other hand, “try it you’ll like it!” If you are intrigued by the thought of growing black plants or a cutting garden, then try it. If you like it fine, but if you don’t then check it off as a ‘tried it and didn’t like it” and move on. Remember no matter what you do, the most important part of your garden is that you are in it, and it makes you happy. Happy gardening! [Nila Smith]
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