Now more than ever we are seeing the climate change and not only on our TVs but within our own back gardens. From heatwaves that seem to melt into autumn, to torrential downpours that flood our lawns overnight; our climate is changing in ways that gardeners can’t ignore. For many, it’s become less about trying to fight the elements and more about learning to work with them and design gardens that work in this changing world.
A changing world
Globally, we’re seeing the kind of weather extremes once reserved for headlines: droughts, storms and sudden frosts.
The global climate has warmed by about 1.2 °C since pre-industrial times, leading to major shifts in rainfall and weather extremes worldwide. Many regions are now experiencing heavier and more intense rainfall events with unprecedented flooding, while others face prolonged droughts as weather patterns become more erratic.
The worldwide shift is now starting to feel increasingly close to home. In recent years we’ve had the hottest days on record, rainfall that rivals monsoon levels in parts of the country, and frosts that seem to arrive just when we thought spring had sprung. The UK has experienced a clear warming trend over recent decades, with average temperatures rising by around 0.25°C per decade since the 1980s. This sustained increase in temperature reflects the broader impacts of climate change across the country, influencing weather patterns, ecosystems, and seasonal norms.
Alongside rising temperatures, the UK has also become noticeably wetter. Between 2015 and 2024, the colder months (October to March) were about 16% wetter than the 1961–1990 average, while overall annual rainfall across the decade was roughly 10% higher.
So what does that mean for our gardens? It means resilience, in design, in planting, and in mindset. Traditional planting schemes, reliant on predictable seasons, are starting to feel a little out of sync. Yet rather than signalling the end of manageable, beautiful gardens, this moment could mark a quiet evolution – rethinking how we plan our outdoor spaces in this changing world, with less perfection and more adaptability.
Designing with resilience in mind
Resilient gardens aren’t about giving up on beauty, they just need intelligent and deliberate planning. They celebrate strength and flexibility, choosing plants that not only survive unpredictable conditions but thrive.
It starts below the surface. Good drainage, healthy soil, and an understanding of microclimates can make all the difference when the weather turns unpredictable. A north-facing slope, a well-placed tree for shade, or raised beds for drainage – these details form the backbone of a truly weather-smart garden.
Resilient plants
If you want your garden to cope with the changing weather extremes, there are plants you can choose to keep your space thriving.
Heavy rainfall and waterlogged ground:
- Ligularia dentata – bold foliage and yellow-orange flowers that love damp shade.
- Carex elata ‘Aurea’ (Bowles’ Golden Sedge) – decorative grass ideal for boggy areas.
- Salix purpurea or Salix cinerea (willows) – well suited to damp or flood-prone sites.
- Viburnum opulus (Guelder rose) – native shrub that thrives in moist soil and attracts wildlife.
- Caltha palustris (Marsh marigold) – early spring colour in very wet ground.
- Iris pseudacorus (Yellow flag iris) – striking native for saturated soils.
Dry weather and draughts which will survive the hosepipe ban:
- Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) – thrives in full sun and dry soil while attracting pollinators.
- Eryngium planum (Sea holly) – architectural and resilient, perfect for dry borders.
- Sedum (Stonecrop) – stores water in its leaves and flowers prolifically in poor, dry soil.
- Festuca glauca (Blue fescue) – ornamental grass that copes well with dryness.
- Cistus (Rock rose) – Mediterranean evergreen that flourishes in dry, sunny spots.
- Escallonia – glossy evergreen foliage with summer flowers; thrives in coastal and dry conditions.
Especially hot temperatures:
- Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower) – loves sun and heat, producing long-lasting blooms
- Salvia nemorosa or Salvia microphylla – thrive in full sun and keep flowering through heatwaves.
- Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain grass) – ornamental grass that handles heat and adds movement to the garden.
- Olea europaea (Olive tree) – perfectly suited to hot, sunny sites and increasingly popular in UK gardens.
- Sedum spurium or Sempervivum (Houseleeks) – store water in fleshy leaves and tolerate extreme heat.
- Thymus vulgaris (Common thyme) – aromatic, heat-loving herb perfect for borders or rockeries.
Extreme cold snaps and prolonged frost:
- Helleborus orientalis (Lenten rose) – evergreen foliage and winter flowers that tolerate frost and snow.
- Bergenia cordifolia (Elephant’s ears) – tough, evergreen leaves that withstand freezing and add winter colour.
- Heuchera villosa – resilient foliage plant that copes with frost and adds year-round interest.
- Cornus alba (Red-barked dogwood) – colourful winter stems that thrive in cold, damp soils.
- Viburnum tinus – evergreen shrub that flowers through winter and resists frost.
- Ilex aquifolium (Holly) – classic evergreen that withstands frost and provides berries for wildlife.
The key is variety. A mix of textures, leaf forms and flowering times creates a garden that doesn’t just survive, it adapts, it evolves, it tells a story of endurance. Of course resilience doesn’t end once the plants are in the ground. Maintenance plays its part too, from considered watering and mulching, to embracing a little wildness where it helps biodiversity thrive.
In the face of a changing world, our gardens can become more than just places of beauty; they can be living examples of adaptation and resilience. By embracing variety, understanding our garden’s conditions and microclimates, and choosing plants that work with rather than against the weather, we can create spaces that thrive through uncertainty. As the climate continues to shift, the most sustainable landscapes will be those that grow, change, and endure right alongside it.
For more inspiration take a look at our case studies.
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