Apple trees, which normally bloom at the end of April in the South of England, are currently flowering  in the Homebase Garden, designed by Adam Frost.

In the M&G Centenary Garden, designed by Roger Platts, a rhododendron that would normally have finished flowering by this time of year, Rhododendron (Loderi Group) ‘Loderi Game Chick’, will be on show. The garden also features a magnificent wisteria and Viburnum plicatum, both of which are flowering later than normal this year.

Air temperatures (0.5 oC colder than average) have challenged nurseries to rethink their normal growing practices, and adapt their designs to ensure that the show is bursting with colour.

Britain’s garden centres are also pinning their hopes on a “Chelsea boost” to offset the impact of the spring freeze that kept the green-fingered indoors at a crucial buying time for the industry.

The coldest March since 1962 left garden centres empty across the country and forced growers to throw away hundreds of thousands of unsaleable bedding plants.Garden centres typically see trade peak during the six weeks between mid-March and May. This year the icy conditions delayed the start of the “high season” until mid-April and pushed up operating costs for garden centres.

Year-to-date sales at garden centres are down by 11 per cent, the HTA said, on top of a decline of 7 per cent in 2012. March sales were 25 per cent lower than last year.   http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2dc67e20-bede-11e2-a9d4-00144feab7de.html#axzz2Tm5akVYH

Each year, the Chelsea Flower Show attracts more than 157,000 visitors over six days and is watched by 19 million viewers via the excellent  coverage of the worlds biggest Flower Show which began today on  BBC  TV.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007lyhs

Visitors and TV viewers are attracted by the prospect of wonderful designs, colourful blooms and innovation in horticulture. Set in just 3 and half acres in the centre of London, The Chelsea Flower Show is celebrating its 100th year anniversary in 2013.

But it’s not all about competitive garden design: this year’s show has much for environmentalists. RHS Environment is a new initiative that launched in 2012 to focus on showing  how to maximise the planet friendliness of our green spaces – however small.

News is that 9 out of the 15 main show gardens will focus on the environment in some way – whether its using sustainable garden design, environmentally sound materials, rainwater harvesting or solar lighting.

The RHS  knows that it is not acceptable for gardeners not to be eco-aware and they are doing all they can to turn the nations love of gardens into an environmental concern that will help preserve our green spaces

http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/1927467/ecodesign_at_chelsea_flower_show_2013.html

Our seasons are confused and becoming increasingly unpredictable.

If you have a garden you will have noticed the effects of this weird weather on plants and wildlife but the good news is that your garden is helping to combat climate change  – particularly if it is in the city as gardens now account for almost half of the UK’s urban green space.

The RHS have outlined ways in which our gardens  help to keep the planet green and healthy. They have sent a strong  message to Britain’s gardeners that  the humble urban backyard plays a vital environmental and ecological role in our present and future lives.

It’s something that keen horticulturalists have always suspected, but for the first time, the RHS has brought together all the published evidence in a scientific review entitled Gardening Matters: Urban Gardens.

Collating the evidence reveals four key areas in which our gardens make a difference.

* They help control urban temperatures, mitigating the effects of extreme heat and cold.

* They help prevent flooding by absorbing rainwater that would otherwise overload drainage systems.

* They have effectively become some of Britain’s best nature reserves, supporting a range of wildlife including birds, mammals and invertebrates.

*They support human health by easing stress and providing physical exercise.

 http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/pdfs/RHS-urban-greening

Think they forgot to mention one other vital benefit:

* They are a precious legacy that we can give to future generations !

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/gardening/dig-for-victory-how-your-garden-can-help-beat-climate-change-2288156.html

Hundreds are going online to complete a very important RHS survey about the effects of climate change on our gardens.

With spring flowers up to a month late in many areas of the UK,it certainly is the perfect time to question gardeners about how they are coping with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Visit this survey now and help the RHS to collate data that will preserve our precious gardens for an uncertain future:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/Gardening-in-a-changing-climate

However, anyone who thinks that climate change will provide a simple good news story for English wine-lovers may be deluding themselves. In England, depending on what happens to the gulf stream and other variables, it might become hotter, wetter or, perhaps, even colder. All that climate change really promises is chaos and instability, which are not conditions that are beneficial for grapes or any other crop.

Until relatively recently, the English wine industry tended to rely on high-yield, cold climate Germanic vines with names like tractor manufacturers: Huxelrebe and Dornfelder among others.

Although these are still present in many vineyards, many  Sussex vignerons are now planting the classic “champagne” grapes: chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. The sparkling wines produced with those varieties by local producers, such as Nyetimber andRidgeview, among others, have regularly beaten champagne in international competitions and blind tastings. “The temperatures in this area are now pretty much where champagne’s were in the 1980s,” says Mark Driver. “And they made some pretty good champagne in the 70s and 80s.”

Find out more about how Sussex wine growers are already adapting to a shifting climate.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/may/07/climate-change-transforming-british-wine

On Monday 20th May 2013, the most famous Horticultural Show in the world opens in London for its 100th year to deliver garden delights that inspire and delight, as well as create debate and discussion,

The Chelsea Flower Show is  THE horticultural mecca for global gardeners and marks the official beginning of English summer.

RHS Chelsea acting show manager Sarah Easter explains that both professional horticulturalists and total amateurs will find something to enjoy this year. “The history is what makes it special – it has been running for such a long time and we have very strong traditions within the show. I think people like that we uphold those traditions but, at the same time, it is also the place to go to see what’s new. It really is at the forefront of the industry.” While the organisers keep most details firmly under wraps until the show opens its doors, the BBC radio Times has uncovered a few special details from this year’s event that both beginners and expert gardeners will enjoy:

South East England is predicted to enjoy 21c on Bank Holiday Monday which is wonderful news but night frosts can still be a problem well into May  - take care with seedlings in particular. Here is the link to a brilliant app that warns of impending frosts:

Cold Snap Frost Warning Android App

ColdSnap! Frost Alarm is a must have application for gardeners, allotment holders and anyone else that wants a low maintenance,  low temperature warning. 

For accurate weather forecast try these sites – looks like they all think May is going to be warm which is great news  - especially as Chelsea Flower Show starts in just 2 weeks!

Met Check

This site has a brilliant gardening page which gives predictions in 3 hour sections and has soil temperature. 

The Met Office

As you would expect from the Met Office, loads of information and help. 

The Weather Channel

Local and national forecasts.

Netweather.tv – UK weather forecasts

Weather forecasts for the UK, local and national, long and short range. Other features on the site include the UK 5 minute weather radar and lightning detection.

It is exactly 10 years since the RHS, National Trust and other concerned organisations reported on the serious consequences of the effects of climate change on our future gardens.

They published a joint paper Called Gardening in the Global Greenhouse which looked at the likely scenarios for English gardening if the effects of climate change continue as predicted.

http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/gardening-in-the-global-greenhouse

http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/rhs-gardens-in-a-changing-climate

Climate Gardens has ambitious plans to help our gardens and green spaces adapt to uncertain future. Please contact me at hello@globalgardening.org if you want further information and/or would like to be involved in this exciting internet project.

This blog receives hits from all over the world which proves how important this issue is becoming to global gardeners. Our changing climate is the biggest factor affecting our gardens over the next 10-30 years and now is the time to plan for an uncertain  horticultural future.

Are you noticing any similar changes to your plants as a result of the challenging weather experienced in the UK recently?

Apparently chimeras occur where there are two DNA lines in one creature or plant. Most living things only have one set of DNA, but through mutation, either natural or artificial, chimeras are born. All variegated plants are technically chimeras too. People or animals with blotchy, differently-patterned skin or two eyes of different colour could also be suspected chimeras.

To find out more about this fascinating natural phenomena visit the RHS plant pages: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=259

Entitled ” Gardening in the Global Greenhouse, the impact of climate change on our gardens”, it clearly sets out  that our gardens are in trouble and face an uncertain future.It is an impressive document, covering the key issues that will concern anyone who gardens and is well worth the time to read through its impressive and very detailed 17 pages.

The introduction is by one of the UK’s most passionate gardeners , HRH Prince Charles, who poignantly expresses his concerns about the threat of climate change. I remember reading his powerful words for the first time and feeling very moved . Here are just a few lines that I am sure will make you want to read more:

“Almost all scientists now agree that the British climate is likely to  change significantly in years to come. The precise nature of these changes is still uncertain, but it is both an alarming and sobering thought that some of the nation’s best loved gardens might become unsustainable due to changing climatic conditions”.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/gardening-global-greenhouse/gardening-global-greenhouse-summary.pdf