Speak to any independent garden centre owner this season and you'll hear the same surprised refrain: it's not the usual suspects that are selling out, but a handful of relatively obscure native and drought-tolerant species that customers are suddenly desperate to take home.
Industry insiders attribute the shift to a combination of climate awareness, social media inspiration, and a new wave of younger gardeners who are more interested in unusual textures and ecological value than picture-perfect blooms.
Several of the trending species are remarkably easy to care for, requiring minimal water and tolerating a wide range of soil conditions — qualities that are clearly appealing to time-poor urban dwellers.
This is a Hidden Verity Premium story
The article continues below. Subscribe to Hidden Verity for unlimited access from only $5 per month. Cancel anytime.