With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show starting this week, many gardeners will be getting their outdoor spaces prepared for the months ahead making them ideal for gardens all year round.
While most people look forward to summer, droughts and heavy downpours can wreak havoc on gardens.
As the UK’s climate slowly changes, many Britons may have noticed their plants drying out more quickly due to extreme droughts or being submerged due to torrential downpours.
This can make choosing the best plants for your garden particularly difficult, especially if you’ve got a larger plot with varying degrees of sun and shade.
With this in mind, bespoke garden designer, Melanie Hick, has shared some of the best drought-tolerant and hardy plants for your garden.
She exclusively told Express.co.uk: “Climate change is indeed having a huge impact on gardens not just in the UK, but all over the world.
“Things like sudden, heavy downpours and restricted hose pipe use all impact the plants that grow in our gardens.
“In most areas, we’re now looking for plants that are both drought-tolerant and hardy, which means they are able to survive without water for a while and can withstand frosts.
“We can learn a lot from Australian plants. Small eucalyptus plants that are used to being covered in snow and also exposed to blazing sun are good choices, as are fine-leafed plants like Calistemons and Grevilleas.
“These are becoming much easier to find in nurseries across the country. My top tip is to look for small leaves for lower water loss.
“These are the kind of plants I am using in the Climate Forward Garden at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival this summer.
“UK gardeners can come and see how to mix drought-tolerant Australian plants with the native plants they may be more used to growing at the event in July.”
Melanie is designing the Climate Forward Garden in the Get Started Category at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival.
The garden showcases both style and sustainability and is designed to embrace and withstand the UK’s ever-changing climate.
Melanie, who is Australian but lives in London, has added heady aromas and vibrant hues of Australian eucalyptus and crepe myrtle which are both drought-tolerant.
The garden is inspired by the evolution of Australian garden design, blending both beauty and practicality as well as tackling issues such as how to reduce water usage.
