The Trend In 2026 That Turns Your Regular Garden Into A Stunning Statement Piece

Now that we're three months into the new year, it's becoming clearer which up-and-coming gardening trends for 2026 are truly finding favor with the people. The common notion — one shared by Brad Holley, owner of The UnDesign, during his exclusive interview with House Digest — is that clean, minimalist landscapes with a neutral palette are no longer the only way to make a high-brow statement. Instead, gardeners are returning to traditional designs, even leaning into maximalism, to create the perfect outdoor oasis.

Elaborating upon how this modern-to-maximalism switch is panning out across gardens, he said, "I'm seeing clean lines and orderly layouts being exchanged for meandering curves and asymmetrical features. Sparse and manicured plantings are being traded for lush, full gardens with lots of shade-providing greenery." He has even noticed a change in fixtures, which are increasingly becoming more ornate and detailed.

In other words, people are moving away from efficient, uncomplicated landscapes to something more opulent and abundant, even if it requires more maintenance. He chalks this up to ushering in a new 'Gilded Age,' which is antithetical to everything minimalist and contemporary. "I'm sensing that this aesthetic is about a rejection of a world that became overly processed and far too manufactured. In a lot of ways, it's about returning to the high-minded ideals of art and craftsmanship," he shared.

When you're trying to make your garden stand out, it might help to learn from gardens that have been attracting attention for centuries. "Think of stately, old-world, European gardens — think of the Palace of Versailles," stated Holley during his exclusive chat with House Digest. They often feature topiaries and use trees, ferns, and ivy (which, admittedly, ran unruly) to weave a lush, full look. "I'm even seeing the return of the hedge wall, a mainstay of unconcerned luxury," he added. However, he believes that it's the planters doing much of the heavy lifting. For this trend, they're oversized, designed artfully, and placed permanently on the deck after being outfitted with ornamental plants.

When starting out, Holley suggests asking yourself a simple question: "What would Jay Gatsby do?" In other words, think of features that will make your outdoor space look loud and overstated. "This look embraces the human ability to sculpt a living space. But it also sits firmly at the intersection of people and plants. Everything should be ornamental and thoroughly detailed, and when taken in a certain direction, this can almost feel 'Gothic' in a way," he elaborated. Think of it this way: You start with straight and orderly paths, but then soften them by rounding off or scalloping the edges. Similarly, rather than using finishes and materials that blend with the environment, you bring out the texture with rough-hewn surfaces and Art Deco patterns.

Although giving your landscape edging a French feel sounds magnificent, Holley warned that you must be prepared for the ensuing high maintenance. "The greatest downside to incorporating this aesthetic is the maintenance aspect. This is not the ideal space for anyone desiring passivity, and creating it is in no way a 'set-it-and-forget-it' project," he explained in his exclusive House Digest interview.

Like most grand things, a traditionalist or a maximalist garden requires significant time both for creation and upkeep. After installing formal edges or topiaries, you must diligently trim and prune them to maintain their desired shape and form. Likewise, with so much greenery around, you must spend considerable time raking and blowing the shed leaves, twigs, flowers, fruits, and limbs. Those antique planers and stone work, too, will require frequent spraying and cleaning to clear away the trapped dust and debris. "This is a long-term relationship that you're choosing to commit to and invest in. And if you're not fully honest with yourself about whether you have the time or the patience for an ongoing outdoor project (or the means to have someone else maintain it), then you might strongly consider a different look," advised Holley.

All in all, give this trend a pass if you want a low-maintenance landscape that doesn't require much time and money investment. But if you've been incorporating personality and character into your home, extending the aesthetic to your outdoor space might just be the right call.