What B.C. Gardeners Are Growing in 2026

It is officially spring here in B.C., and the not-so-subtle hints have been plentiful. Chirping robins demanding we notice their return, cherry blossoms showing off as no other tree can, plus daffodils and tulips popping up from winter-buried bulbs, reminding us that they’re here for a good time, not a long time.

Check out these top 2026 gardening trends and tips—perfectly suited for B.C. living.

Top Gardening Trends for 2026

1. Get Rid of the Grass

Many B.C. residents are fed up with trying to grow green lawns. Insects, summer drought and birds that love ripping up the sod can leave your patch of grass an unsightly mess. Plus, lawns aren’t particularly great for the environment as they need lots of water from the sprinkler, and in B.C., we take that seriously.

Conscientious folks are pulling up their grass lawns and replacing them with low-maintenance clover lawns that literally grow like a weed. Filling what once was grass with river stones or lava rocks is also a trend that results in a clean, zero-maintenance look that is environmentally sound.

2. Go Maximalist

Gardeners are embracing bold colour and creative design in their outdoor spaces, just like they would indoors. Mass planting has a powerful effect. For instance, I once had an 8-foot-long rectangular concrete planter I filled with French lavender on my condo deck that was a showstopper. Try mixing floral colours, like vibrant hot pinks and bright citrusy oranges, in your flower beds, making sure you don’t scrimp on the number of plants. In the world of maximalism, it truly is go big or go home.

3. Rewilding

This trend has a give-back purpose, and for B.C. residents, it makes so much sense. Gardeners are taking a bit of a “let nature run its course” approach here, by reducing interference with the plants and letting them grow naturally or rewild. The idea is to encourage native species to grow instead of forcing exotic plants to take hold. Take a nature-first approach and let wildflowers and pollinators like bees and butterflies do their thing.

4. Planting from Seed

Rather than buy vegetable plants from the garden store, people are purchasing seeds that they start indoors and then plant in their outdoor kitchen gardens when they’re ready to transplant. Seeds are significantly cheaper than plants, too, and there’s something holistic about growing your veggies with this extra layer being part of the process. When it comes to flowers, fast-growing seeds like sweet peas and poppies can be scattered and create a lovely addition to your existing garden.

5. Geometric Design

The opposite of rewilding, this trend is for the gardener who avoids randomness and aims for order. This landscape design has clean lines and is uncluttered, often minimalistic and geometrically formed.

6. Kitchen Gardens

Edible gardens are here to stay. Create yours by building a separate container that stands alone, where you can grow tomatoes and herbs to add to meals all summer long. Or create a space within your existing floral beds to dedicate to edible plants—just make sure you check which companion plants work best. For instance, marigolds love tomatoes and act as natural pest control.

Read More: Green Thumb Guide: How to Start a Veggie Garden in B.C.