Here you will find useful information and beautiful images of over 100 plants that are coping with the changing climate. They have been selected to provide interest and colour throughout the year and because many require very low intervention – such as watering or chemical applications.
The Climate Gardens Plant Collection is a work in progress that will be continually updated. If you have any suggestions of plants that are coping well with our confused seasons, please send details to [email protected]
The plants are divided into three sections to help you identify the look you want to create as well as the conditions in your garden:
Mediterranean Plants
This group of plants offer a delightful range of colours, varied textures and hypnotic scents.They will survive in our driest and hottest summers and can be used in a variety of different ways. http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/category/drought-gardening-mediterranean
Architectural Plants
Architectural Plants are definitely what you need if you want to make a statement in your garden. Here you will find impressive plants with big personalities to inspire you to be bold and ambitious with your planting.
Visit our Architectural Plants section
Exotic Plants
Exotic plants have to be the most outrageously wonderful plants that can be grown in temperate gardens, imbuing the lushness and colour of far away places with exuberant tropical and sub-tropical planting. With a little care and attention you too can create an exotic garden. For more information on this style of gardening watch y video interview with the late great Will Giles in his Exotic Garden in Norwich .
Visit our Exotic Plants section
HOW TO SELECT YOUR PLANTS
Here are a few key questions that you might like to consider when buying Climate Change Plants:
THE AGE AND SIZE OF THE PLANT
Smaller and less established plants may not cope with severe conditions whilst older more established plants will make a faster impact although can take longer to settle when planted. It is probably best to choose a plant around 2-3 years old (as a guide) which will provide some instant impact and allow it to establish and gow into your garden.
RECOMMENDED LOWEST TEMPERATURE?
Ask the nursery what are the suggested lowest temperatures that the plant will withstand. It may survive our winters if you position it in a sheltered spot or if you cover with a fleece or, surround it with a sturdy but very fine netting to form a wind break. If the winter is very cold , then protect plants by bringing them in indoors into a conservatory from late October to May.
English winters vary so much from year to year that it is important to keep an eye on the ground frost temperature. Last winter damaged many plants in certain areas as there were temperatures of minus 9c but generally our winters are less cold but damper . As a rule if temperatures drop below -4c then you should take care to protect most tropical plants or move them to a warmer place until the risk of very cold frost has gone.
LIFTING YOUR PLANTS
Remember to think about the fact the you may have to lift and move containerised plants. Think about weight and space available for over wintering. It is also a good idea to visit any local gardens that have open days to see what is growing and ask the staff if they have experienced any problems with certain plants.
ENSURE GOOD WINTER DRAINAGE
Most plants suitable for Global Gardening not only require consistent temperatures but also hate damp conditions that will rot their roots. Plants that are in containers for ease of moving may be more tender as the soil in a container can freeze solid during prolonged frosty periods. Make sure there is a good layer of drainage material in the bottom of containers and a water rententive compost mixture to avoid the need to water in the summer.
THE SOURCE OF YOUR PLANTS
Although many Mediterranean, Tropical and Exotic plants orginate from sunnier countries, there are many growers who now propogate and grow their own plants from seedlings. To limit your carbon foot-print its a good idea to enquire about where the plants have come from and decide whether you want to buy plants that have been transported great distances across the world.
