By Ellen Braunstein
As April and May unfold in Montgomery County, those themes are shaping what goes into the ground — and what stays on garden center shelves. After years of shifting habits driven by busy schedules, climate swings and pandemic-era planting booms, this spring’s gardening trends reflect a mix of practicality and renewed enthusiasm.
At Good Earth Garden Market in Potomac, owner Dave Johannes is watching those patterns take shape in real time.
“Natives are the big thing right now,” he says. Customers increasingly ask for plants native to the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic, motivated by ecological awareness and a desire to support butterflies, bees and birds. “People are more in tune with wanting to try and grow things that are native to the region,” Johannes says. Beyond the environmental value, there is also an emotional appeal. “It’s certainly a feel-good thing.”
Perennials — especially native perennials — continue to perform strongly. Johannes says that last year, perennials and the trees-and-shrubs category were the two biggest gainers in his business, with perennials showing steady growth. The appeal is simple: “People don’t want to have to plant the same stuff every year.”
Convenience is a driving force. “A lot of people want the idea of gardening,” Johannes says. “They don’t necessarily want the work of gardening.” That desire has fueled interest in container gardening and smaller-footprint projects. Pre-planted containers offer what he describes as “instant gratification,” allowing customers to bring home coordinated color without having to design or assemble it themselves. Raised beds and compact plantings also attract homeowners who want manageable projects rather than large-scale landscape renovations.
Even so, practical concerns often top the wish list. “Deer-resistance is always going to be the No. 1 thing that people are seeking,” Johannes says, noting the steady deer population in residential neighborhoods throughout Montgomery County.
Lavender remains a consistent favorite. Flowering vinca is popular because it is both drought-resistant and deer-resistant. Marigolds, verbenas and salvias also perform well locally. Among shrubs, boxwoods and junipers are staples. Johannes acknowledges, however, that deer can adapt. “Things come in deer-resistant, and then the deer discover them,” he says.
Vegetable and herb gardening is also inching upward. “Every year that category grows a little bit,” Johannes says. But he cautions that vegetables demand attention. “There is no low-maintenance vegetable garden.” Between pests, watering, fertilizing and pruning, vegetables require consistent upkeep.
April, he says, is when Montgomery County gardeners feel the urge to push ahead — sometimes too quickly. While some retailers offer tomato plants by late March, Johannes urges patience. “We can get frost nights up until Mother’s Day,” he says. Warm-weather plants like tomatoes and peppers start arriving in late April, but he urges customers to wait until the risk of frost has passed before putting them in the ground.
After decades in the business, Johannes has seen predictions that gardening would fade as families grew busier. Instead, he sees resilience. Houseplants, which surged during COVID and later dipped, are climbing again. New gardeners still walk in convinced they have a “brown thumb,” only to gain confidence after early success.
“They’re not children, they’re just plants,” Johannes says. “As long as they get a little bit of the right conditions and a little bit of water, nine times out of 10, they’re going to survive.”
Across Montgomery County, that mindset is shaping spring gardens — thoughtful choices, realistic timing and plants selected to succeed in local conditions. As spring unfolds, the focus is less on chasing trends and more on planting wisely for the season ahead.
