Gardening in a changing climate

Adaptation: the key to survival

Does changing climate threaten the way we garden? Small but fundamental changes to plant selection and gardening techniques should help ensure gardens’ continued survival, says Matthew Wilson. Matthew is Head of Site and Curator of RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

Even for those who believe in changing climate as a present and future threat, it is pretty easy to be confused by the whole business. Will gardeners have to replace existing ornamental plantings in favour of silver-leaved sub-shrubs and fleshy succulents adrift in acres of gravel, or can we simply adapt the ways we currently garden?

Given that the essence of gardening as we know it is intervention and manipulation, will gardens of the future be rather static, planted up with drought-tolerant evergreens, rather than the dynamic, engaging and seasonally changeable places we enjoy today, filled with a wide range of varied species? Perhaps most importantly, for an island with such a rich horticultural history, what are the implications for preserving internationally significant gardens and plant collections, including those in the care of organisations such as the National Trust, English Heritage and the RHS?

The crucial consideration we must make is that climate-change models strongly suggest that increased variability of the weather will be the overarching state. So while it is right to be concerned with water use, the key issue is water management in its broadest sense, including concerns such as water runoff, water storage, soil erosion and nitrate leaching.

Meeting the new challenges - how to adapt

Find out more about:
Gardening in drought conditions
Coping with waterlogging
Likely new pest & disease problems

Mediterranean plants: key to tomorrow’s gardens?

Find out more about Matthew's book RHS New Gardening - how to garden in a changing climate

Use the RHS Plant Selector to choose plants for specific situations

Many different kinds of garden will be affected by the demands of a changing climate…


Woodland gardens As summers in the south of the UK get hotter and drier, cool, moist shade will be at a premium in many areas.	Alpine gardens High-altitude alpines may suffer from wetter winters, excessive summer heat and drought; plants from other regions will have to be substituted.


Mixed borders Summer drought may make mixed borders harder to manage; changing the plant palette and soil preparation will be key.	Water gardens Once-dependable summer water supplies may dry up; there may be fewer opportunities to plant moisture-loving species.