I’m a gardening expert and here’s 20 plants that cope with extreme climates
SUNDAY saw the hottest January day ever - when meteorologists recorded a freaky peak of 19.6C in Scotland - hotter than the South of France.
And I can’t be the only one who’s found themselves recently ‘popping out to the garden’ only to be wrist-deep in soil hours later.
Scientists said it was partly due to the "Foehn effect" -— an abrupt warming and drying of air when winds gust over mountains.
But coupled with Storm Isha’s devastation and brutal frosts, our gardens have been taking a battering.
At this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, the ‘balcony and container’ designers are focussing on tough, tolerant plants - to withstand storms, high temperatures, and water shortages.
told Sun Gardening: “The trick is identifying the conditions and then selecting the appropriate plants.
GARDENING
“South facing sunny gardens, including breezy balconies, can be planted with drought tolerant shrubs and grasses while north facing balconies or shadier plots have evergreens that flourish in low light.”
There’s a whole range of plants that can help your garden go for longer, so here are some top picks for 2024.
Mediterranean-style lavender and rosemary’s blue grey waxy leaves reduce water loss and reflect light.
And nothing screams ‘summer holidays’ more than frost-hardy Olive trees.
Agapanthus Africanus add a touch of the tropical and Phlomis copes in full sun.
Plantsman told Sun Gardening: “Tulbaghia is my plant of the future. It’s used a lot in landscaping in Europe and Southern Africa and is really interesting as it's very tough and drought resistant, but will also cope in waterlogged soil."
While Miscanthus ‘Indian Summer’ turns to incredible reds in Autumn, and Festuca Glauca goes silvery blue in maximum sun.
Coastal favourites like variegated sea holly Eryngium variifolium, are incredibly tough, as are hardy geraniums, like ‘Rozanne’ which flowers for months.
And finally, the recent hot dry summers are ideal for certain fruits, like grape vines, figs, almonds, apricots, peaches and nectarines.
CAST A SPELL
IF worm casts are decimating your lawn, you’re not the only one. Earthworms thrive in damp weather, even in Winter, and are very active in early Spring.
It's difficult to get too angry, as it's a sign everything is thriving and healthy - and the casts themselves are so fine that once raked over, they’re perfect for lawn seed.
They’re also beneficial for recycling nutrients, aerating the soil, and soil structure.
Try to keep off your lawn as much as possible - but if we have a few dry days, use a wire rake side to side with the teeth upwards.
Some suggest reducing the soil pH as worms are less lively in acidic environments - but this is costly and time consuming.
And finally, make sure you rake up leaves and cuttings to prevent them returning.
WEED IT AND WEEP
BRIGHTON and Hove council has been forced into a U-Turn after conceding it’s 2019 ban on glyphosate weed killer isn’t working.
The Sun has previously reported how paths had become impassable following the cancellation due to environmental and cancer concerns.
But after furious locals lambasted the council, it's decided to bring it back for a 'reset' year.
Cllr Tim Rowkins said: “After five years of unchecked growth, there is an urgent need to get the weeds problem back under control.
THIS WEEK'S JOB
IT’S time to prepare your vegetable beds for planting - and start growing some seeds indoors. Aubergines, cucumbers, Leeks, Peppers, beefsteak tomatoes and Spinach are good to go.
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LEARN!
Q. What can I spray on weeds without killing my daffodils? Sue Winner, via email.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
A. Other than digging up the weeds by hand and mulching round the daffodils, any glyphosate spray will kill everything it touches. You could protect the daffs with a plastic sheet while you spray, but avoid doing it on a windy day. Or you could invest in some ‘dab on’ weed killer gel - so you have much more control on what it touches. Make sure no rain is forecast.