"But isn’t it always the same?"

Gartenspaß is celebrating its 25th anniversary - a good reason for me to take a closer look at the gardening magazine. But before I even pick up an issue, one thought keeps running through my mind: pruning perennials, preparing beds, growing young plants - isn't it the same every year? I can't help but wonder: how much new information can a gardening magazine really offer every year? To find out, I meet Kornelia Friedenauer, deputy editor-in-chief of Gartenspaß, who has been running the magazine for over seven years, in Offenburg. Her answer surprises me.

"It's not just about how we grow things, but also what we grow"

We take a look at the very first issue of Gartenspaß, published in 2000. Back then, bright marigolds, calendulas and pansies in bold reds, blues and yellows filled the pages - bright, eye-catching and very much in line with the aesthetic of the time. Today, gardens are dominated by soft pastels and more refined color palettes. Like fashion, gardening is driven by trends. "Trends change - today's colours are much softer and more harmonious," explains Kornelia. What was trendy 25 years ago is now outdated. "In Gartenspaß, we don't just show how to grow plants - we show what to grow."

"The climate is changing—and our plants are changing with it"

The plants that will thrive in gardens in 2025 won’t just be determined by trends, but also by the weather. What was once considered exotic now grows in our backyards. Take the olive tree, for example—once limited to southern Europe, it can now survive in Germany’s milder regions with the right winter protection.

"Rising temperatures allow us to cultivate plants that wouldn’t have stood a chance here before," Kornelia says. But these changes also bring challenges. Popular flowers such as hydrangeas are struggling with increasing heat and drought. "Shade-loving plants are finding it harder to survive," she explains. Gardeners are being forced to adapt. Plant breeders are working on solutions—developing heat-resistant varieties and special soils and fertilisers that improve water retention. "In Gartenspaß, we keep a close eye on these developments," says Kornelia. "25 years ago, no one was thinking about these issues. Today, they’re impossible to ignore. The climate is changing—and our plants are changing with it."

"Flowers without bees? Expect a social media shitstorm"

The issues that matter to gardeners have also evolved. Right now, one of the hottest topics is the decline of insect populations. It’s a major concern in the gardening community, Kornelia tells me, because no insects mean no plants—and no plants mean no food.

While we can’t solve the root problem, we can make a difference with our plant choices, countering the effects of monocultures and urbanisation. "It’s no longer just about what looks good—it’s about what benefits the ecosystem," Kornelia says. She has experienced firsthand what happens when the importance of bee-friendly plants is overlooked. "Flowers without bees? Expect a social media shitstorm." Recently, she posted a picture of a snow forsythia on the Gartenspaß Instagram page. The first comment appeared almost immediately: ‘But does it offer anything for insects?’

"These interactions show just how much this issue matters to our readers and fellow gardeners," she says. "And we have to respond to that." Discussions like this, she predicts, will only become more intense in the coming years.

(Fun fact: Although the snow forsythia shares part of its name with the yellow forsythia— often criticised by nature lovers—it actually does provide nectar and pollen for bees!)

"Today's gardeners want to experiment, to embrace a little wilderness"

This shift in mindset isn’t just affecting retirees. Gardening has become a popular hobby for younger generations as well. For many, it’s the perfect counterbalance to fast-paced digital life, where everything is polished and curated. "The more we surround ourselves with screens and digital stimulation, the stronger the urge becomes to create something tangible with our own hands. And the garden is the perfect place for that." This desire for a slower, more grounded lifestyle is driving a major trend: the return of the kitchen garden. "It’s no longer just about having a beautiful outdoor space—people want to harvest what they grow. They want to literally enjoy the fruits of their labour," Kornelia explains.

More and more amateur gardeners are turning to self-sufficiency. Instead of just growing traditional vegetables like beans and peas, they’re experimenting with ginger, turmeric, and even soybeans. Recognising this, Gartenspaß expanded its kitchen garden section two years ago. "In the past, the focus was on perfectly manicured flower beds and neatly trimmed hedges. But that’s changed. Today's gardeners want to experiment, to embrace a little wilderness," says Kornelia.

"One thing remains: A magazine for real gardens"

So, back to my original question: Isn’t it always the same? The answer is a resounding no. While the core gardening tasks may not change, the world of plants, the challenges of climate change, and the needs of gardeners are constantly evolving. And Gartenspaß is keeping pace. "For more than 25 years, we've kept up with these changes. But one thing remains constant - we are and always will be a magazine for real, everyday gardening. A brand that really resonates with our readers," concludes Kornelia.