Summer heat

Garden Designer and Landscaper Charles Hogarth discusses preparing for climate change in the garden.

Our climate may be changing but one thing that remains constant in the world of gardening is that plants need to thrive. The key ingredients for a beautiful display each year are simple - plenty of organic matter in the soil, consistent watering, feeding and the right amount of good old fashioned sunlight.

Having had some harsh weather during the winter and a dry spring, the general trend towards a warmer climate can lead to loss of favourite plants if you’re not prepared. With our busy lives, inconsistent watering has to be the biggest cause of plant loss. This can be remedied by installing a simple irrigation system on a timer that is programmed to give the plant the amount of water it needs, when it needs it. The drip line irrigation system, which I prefer to use, is actually manufactured abroad for use in hotter climes and designed to deliver a consistent amount of water along the pipeline under the same amount of pressure for accurate, even watering which is essential. The flexible pipe can be threaded in between plants and hidden under bark mulch. For an alternative to bark there are many decorative aggregates to choose from such as cobbles and pebbles to complement the colours in surrounding brick and patio work. Whatever mulch you choose, it will set off the plants beautifully, help keep thirsty weeds at bay and keep the moisture in.

Irrigation is a good investment, particularly if you are planting up a new bed from scratch where regular watering is even more important to help the plants establish. I’ve seen the results of an irrigated vs. a non-irrigated bed and the difference is considerable.

If you are planning a new planting scheme there are many drought tolerant plants to choose from that, once established, will require less water to survive. As a rule of thumb, most plants with small, leathery, grassy or succulent leaves, as well as those with grey or hairy leaves tend to be drought tolerant - for example lavenders, olive trees, sempervivums and ice plants. These evoke a Mediterranean feel, particularly when mulched with pebbles in a sunny spot. In fact, our changing climate means we can now choose more sub-tropical and Mediterranean plants, however they do need protection in the winter with geo-textile wraps and straw. New plantings will of course still need to be well watered until established, when their drought tolerance kicks in.

For a stunning late summer display of silvers, pinks and blues try a combination of daisy like Coneflowers and Osteospermum against a backdrop of silvery Perovskia punctuated with blue Globe Thistles. Pink Ice Plants and architectural Sea Holly will also add variety in shape and structure and all are drought tolerant once established. Don’t be tempted to cut them down before the spring though as their shapes will look wonderful on frosty winter days.

Creating a new planting scheme does involve a lot of planning and good plant knowledge. For impact it is best to be bold with your plant choice and use several of the same variety otherwise the effect can be too busy. It is also well worth investing the time on research before you buy. Alternatively, you could call in the experts to design and create it for you, leaving you to relax and enjoy the view, knowing your plants will look good together and are being automatically watered where and when they need it most!