A Blooming History: Tracing Flower Trends in Garden Centers Over 50 Years

Garden centers are vibrant havens, brimming with the promise of beauty and growth. But if you could step back in time, what blooms would you see dominating the aisles in decades past? The history of popular flowers in garden centers over the last 50 years tells a fascinating story of changing tastes, horticultural innovations, and even cultural shifts.

The 1970s: A Riot of Color and Low Maintenance

The 70s were all about ease and impact. As more people moved into suburban homes, they sought vibrant, yet relatively fuss-free, ways to add curb appeal.

Geraniums (Pelargoniums) were undisputed kings. Their cheerful, abundant blooms and robust nature made them a garden center staple for window boxes, containers, and beds.

Impatiens (Busy Lizzies) also surged in popularity, particularly for shady spots where their continuous blooms brought much-needed color. Their relatively compact size made them ideal for mass plantings.

Other popular choices included Marigolds for their sunny disposition and pest-repelling qualities, and Petunias, especially the spreading varieties, for their prolific flowering.

The 1980s: Pastel Hues and English Garden Charm

The 80s saw a slight shift towards more romantic and softer aesthetics. The "cottage garden" look gained traction, leading to increased interest in perennials and flowers with a more delicate appearance.

Hostas became immensely popular, not for their flowers, but for their incredible variety of foliage – from deep blue-green to variegated patterns. They offered structure and texture in shade gardens, complementing more overtly floral displays.

The 1990s: Branding, Breeding, and Baskets

The 1990s marked a major turning point in the garden center industry. Horticultural science ramped up, leading to the introduction of powerful new flower varieties and effective marketing. This was the decade of the hanging basket and the desire for instant gratification.

• Wave Petunias: Arguably the most revolutionary introduction of the decade, the Wave Petunia (a patented series) transformed the way people used petunias. Unlike the traditional upright varieties, the Wave spread aggressively, creating massive, cascading blankets of color perfect for baskets and ground cover. Their ease of care and spectacular performance made them an overnight sensation.

• Coneflowers (Echinacea): As gardeners became more eco-conscious and interested in attracting pollinators, native plants began to climb the popularity charts. The sturdy, drought-tolerant native purple coneflower was bred into exciting new colors—from brilliant orange to deep magenta—making it a must-have perennial.

• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): New, re-blooming varieties became highly sought after, offering continuous color throughout the summer rather than just a few weeks in spring.

The 2000s: The Rise of the Hydrangea and Tropical Flair

The turn of the millennium brought a focus on statement plants and a desire to integrate outdoor spaces into a cohesive "outdoor room" design.

• Hydrangeas: The introduction of Hydrangea macrophylla varieties that could reliably bloom on new wood (like the successful 'Endless Summer' series) caused a massive resurgence. Gardeners who lived in colder climates could finally enjoy the massive, mophead blooms, cementing hydrangeas as the quintessential "designer" shrub for patios and landscapes.

• Cannas and Tropicals: Inspired by travel and the desire to create dramatic, jungle-like flair, annuals with bold foliage and exotic looks, such as Cannas and Elephant Ears (Colocasia), became standard garden center offerings, especially for container gardening.

• Calibrachoa ('Million Bells'): A smaller relative of the petunia, this vigorous bloomer offered tiny, trumpet-shaped flowers in an incredible array of colors, becoming the perfect filler/spiller for mixed containers, often outperforming petunias in heat and continuous bloom.

The 2010s to Today: Sustainability and Pollinators

The current decade is heavily influenced by environmental awareness, water conservation, and a strong push to support declining pollinator populations. Gardeners are prioritizing low-input, high-impact native and drought-tolerant species.

• Succulents: The ultimate low-water, low-maintenance plant, succulents have exploded in popularity. Whether used in trendy indoor arrangements, creative outdoor containers, or rock gardens, their architectural shapes and muted colors appeal to a modern aesthetic.

• Milkweed (Asclepias): Driven by the plight of the Monarch butterfly, milkweed and other butterfly-friendly plants have moved from specialty nurseries to front-and-center displays at major garden centers.

• Ornamental Grasses: Tall, textural grasses like Pennisetum and Miscanthus are favored for their low water needs, winter interest, and ability to add movement and sound to the landscape, reflecting a more naturalistic planting style.

• Proven Winners and Branded Plants: The trend toward highly-bred, brand-name varieties continues, offering consumers guaranteed performance and pest resistance right off the shelf.

The evolution of popular flowers in garden centers mirrors the changing values of home life—from the low-maintenance color of the 70s to the environmental stewardship and specialized breeding of today.

Which popular plant from the past 50 years do you remember planting the most?