Somewhat unexpectedly, Mediterranean plants and drought-resistant grasses are currently in the spotlight, despite not typically being the plants of choice once autumn hits. However, make your way to any garden centre and you’ll see that these hardy plants are certainly having a moment.
This comes as experienced gardeners aim to help their garden through a phenomenon that meteorologists are calling ‘false autumn.’ This change in the climate means that leaves have been browning and falling from trees before the official end of summer, with some gardeners even noticing this occurring in late August. The numerous heatwaves and droughts that hit the UK during the summer are having a lasting impact on our plants.
Some savvy gardeners are opting to switch out their flowers and grasses for those that will survive in these less-than-ideal conditions.
New data shows that the average number of scorching summer days has increased by 97% between 1981 and 2000, and 2001 and 2020.
These hot, dry summers are causing plants to go into survival mode up to three months earlier than normal, which is unsurprisingly wreaking havoc on traditional English gardens.
Liam Cleary, a gardening and outdoor furniture specialist at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, said: “Gardeners are making a strategic shift in their planting habits; the demand for Mediterranean and other heat-tolerant plants is higher than we’ve ever seen this early in the season, as people prepare for the continued impacts of a changing climate.”
The plants experts are rushing for
According to industry experts, those wanting their gardens to survive long-term should opt for heat-resilient plants.
Liam recommends kniphofia (red hot pokers), verbena hastata (blue vervain), and nepeta (catmint), three plants that are better adapted to warmer and drier climate zones.
His other recommended plants are lavender, rosemary, olive trees and bay laurel, which he has dubbed ‘Mediterranean must-haves’, and the ‘stress survival champions’ of sedum (‘autumn joy’), ornamental grasses, and echinacea.
Why you should be planting in September
Planting in September is essential for ensuring the longevity of your garden, with traditional spring planting becoming a gamble due to the increase in extreme weather events.
Plants need time to develop strong root systems before facing their first major stress test, and September planting gives them the winter to establish themselves for the increasingly intense summers.