Grandma gardens are trending right now – how to get the look for a wholesome, low-maintenance garden full of colour
Embrace nostalgia this summer
Grandma gardens are fast becoming one of the most popular garden trends of the year, and characterised by low-maintenance, naturalistic planting rooted in nostalgia, this gorgeous trend is here to stay.
With searches for ‘grandma flower garden’ up 500% on Pinterest, it’s no surprise that old-fashioned plants are making a comeback. Unruly in the best way, this style is defined by combining stunning cottage plants with natural garden furniture, pots and wildlife-friendly landscaping.
Given that nostalgia has been a driving force behind trends in both the home and garden for the past few years, it’s only natural that we’re now looking to create gardens in honour of our grandparents. Here’s how you can do it, too.
The grandma garden trend
Nostalgic plants are at the core of the grandma garden trend. Think romantic pink roses (such as this Hopes & Dreams variety at Thompson & Morgan), sweet peas (£9.99, Thompson & Morgan), delphiniums (£7.99, B&Q) and geraniums (£15.29, B&Q) - all the good stuff you’d expect to see in a grandparent's home during childhood.
‘The grandma garden is a nostalgic space, anti-minimalist, abundant. It reminds us of a time when things felt warmer, richer. Flowers climbing a rustic trellis, foxgloves erupting from greenery, peonies and hydrangeas in large unruly clusters, mismatched terracotta pots, bright ceramic garden ornaments, birdbaths, hanging baskets. The aim is an inviting, lush garden that looks loved, not designed. Nothing coordinated or over-manufactured,’ explains Annabelle Sacher, retail trends lead at MediaVision.
‘Demand for grandma 'core' and 'style' has risen by over 100% across Google, Pinterest and TikTok, while more specific searches for terms like 'grandma flower garden' have seen an increase of 500% on Pinterest.
‘The indicator that this is a genuine cultural shift vs. a passing style trend lies in what's happening at a planting level. Searches for planting, pruning and caring for flowers associated with the 'grandma garden': peonies (+1600% Google), hydrangeas (+600% Google), roses (+267% Google), etc., are all rising.’
The entire essence of this trend is to create a space that feels comforting, and to do this, we need to embrace softer, romantic planting schemes. Say goodbye to hard landscaping as grandma gardens prefer less polished, wildlife-friendly borders, veg patches and patios that are packed with your own personality.
‘I think grandma gardens are trending right now because people are craving comfort and escapism in their homes. In a world that often feels fast-paced and digital, there’s something incredibly grounding about a garden that feels traditional, personal and slightly imperfect. It ties into a wider movement towards slow living and reconnecting with nature,’ says Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys.
How to get the look
If you want to achieve a grandma garden, you’ll need to get your garden furniture right as well as your planting scheme. Think of traditional garden seating ideas, such as wrought-iron bistro sets (I like this White Tulip Bistro Set from Dunelm) and rattan garden furniture, over modern sets.
‘Typically, a grandma garden is abundant and a little unruly in the best way! You’ll find classic cottage garden plants like roses, hydrangeas, lavender, foxgloves and delphiniums, often mixed freely rather than planted in strict rows. There’s a real emphasis on scent, colour and texture, and it’s not about perfection, it’s about creating a space that feels lived-in and loved,’ says Luke.
‘The furniture and decor play a huge role too, like painted metal bistro sets, weathered wooden benches, floral cushions and vintage-style accessories. Details like bird feeders, terracotta pots, climbing frames for roses, and even an old watering can used as a planter all add to that nostalgic feel. It’s about layering pieces that feel collected over time rather than bought in one go.’
This classic metal bistro set is exactly what comes to mind when I think of the garden furniture sets used by my grandparents.
A wooden bench is not only a nostalgic feature, but one that allows you to sit back and enjoy the splendor of your garden.
When selecting cushions for your gardens, opt for ones with floral motifs such as this one.
Delphiniums are a classic cottage plant and are loved by pollinators, too.
Hydrangeas are another classic, old-fashioned plant that are having a huge comeback. This purple is great if you want bold colour.
My grandma always had geraniums in her garden, so they remind me of her. I love the bold red hue of these.
‘If you’re looking to get the look, my advice would be to start by loosening up your planting style. Don’t over-plan it – mix perennials and annuals freely, and opt for heritage plant varieties where you can. Incorporate vintage or vintage-inspired furniture, and don’t be afraid to clash patterns and colours slightly. It’s also worth adding small decorative touches, like lanterns or ceramics, to build that layered, homely feel,’ Luke concludes.
This trend is rooted in comfort and nostalgia, creating gardens where you actually want to relax and enjoy.
