What's On
Goodbye England's Rose?
Famous British trees will also be affected, including mature Beech trees – which can require up to 220 litres of water per hour – struggling to cope with the dry summers, while the survival of Horse Chestnuts will be under threat from a moth that thrives in warmer winters. Oak trees – another British institution - will also suffer due to their need for a steady supply of water and their particular vulnerability to back-to-back droughts.
Drought-resistant plants will thrive
There is likely to be an increase in drought-resistant plants that are less impacted by cold but tolerant of temperatures above 40ºC. The conditions in 2050 will be ideal for exotic species of plants and trees to replace existing species plants and flowers, with pomegranates, citrus, apricots and figs all able to thrive in the increasingly Mediterranean climate. Grapevines, palm trees and even olive trees are all set to flourish in gardens across Britain.
Weeds will grow all year round
The increased length of the growing season will also mean that year-round weeds will become an increasing annoyance to British gardeners. Weeds which currently exist as garden plants in the UK are set to thrive against the wishes of gardeners, with species like bamboo likely to become an unwanted feature of gardens in the future.
Pests and diseases will be common
Milder, wetter winters will results in pests and diseases being able to survive more readily throughout the winter, thus producing large populations in the spring, with diseases such as mildew becoming an all year-round problem. Hotter, drier summers will favour pests such as mites and aphids and diseases such as rusts and powdery mildew. Mice and rats will easily adapt to the new conditions and new more aggressive wasps and mosquitoes will prosper.
Water shortages will increase
Although annual rainfall will increase, because of changes in seasonal distribution of rainfall coupled with the all-year round growing season and increasing temperatures, water availability is set to decrease. So water restrictions and hose pipe bans could become a widespread problem within the next century. Additionally, while summer rainfall is decreasing, it is also becoming more intense, manifesting itself in increasingly violent thunderstorms characterised by torrential rain, a higher number of tornadoes and heavy hail – all of which will prove damaging to all aspects of the garden environment.
Dr David Viner, of the University of East Anglia, comments: 'With species dying, water shortages, and the introduction of new pests and diseases, the UKTV Gardens Climate Report on the impact of global warming on British gardens certainly makes for grim reading. However, since the garden is the one location where the majority of Britons will feel the full force of climate change, it highlights the need for everyone to be aware of how they can help adapt their day to day lifestyles now to help reduce the devastating effects of global warming in the future.'
There is likely to be an increase in drought-resistant plants that are less impacted by cold but tolerant of temperatures above 40ºC. The conditions in 2050 will be ideal for exotic species of plants and trees to replace existing species plants and flowers, with pomegranates, citrus, apricots and figs all able to thrive in the increasingly Mediterranean climate. Grapevines, palm trees and even olive trees are all set to flourish in gardens across Britain.
The increased length of the growing season will also mean that year-round weeds will become an increasing annoyance to British gardeners. Weeds which currently exist as garden plants in the UK are set to thrive against the wishes of gardeners, with species like bamboo likely to become an unwanted feature of gardens in the future.
Milder, wetter winters will results in pests and diseases being able to survive more readily throughout the winter, thus producing large populations in the spring, with diseases such as mildew becoming an all year-round problem. Hotter, drier summers will favour pests such as mites and aphids and diseases such as rusts and powdery mildew. Mice and rats will easily adapt to the new conditions and new more aggressive wasps and mosquitoes will prosper.
Although annual rainfall will increase, because of changes in seasonal distribution of rainfall coupled with the all-year round growing season and increasing temperatures, water availability is set to decrease. So water restrictions and hose pipe bans could become a widespread problem within the next century. Additionally, while summer rainfall is decreasing, it is also becoming more intense, manifesting itself in increasingly violent thunderstorms characterised by torrential rain, a higher number of tornadoes and heavy hail – all of which will prove damaging to all aspects of the garden environment.
Dr David Viner, of the University of East Anglia, comments: 'With species dying, water shortages, and the introduction of new pests and diseases, the UKTV Gardens Climate Report on the impact of global warming on British gardens certainly makes for grim reading. However, since the garden is the one location where the majority of Britons will feel the full force of climate change, it highlights the need for everyone to be aware of how they can help adapt their day to day lifestyles now to help reduce the devastating effects of global warming in the future.'
Our Programmes
In UKTV Gardens
Ask The Expert
| Celebrities
| Competitions
| Design Inspiration
| Design Your Garden
| Gardening Guides
| Grow Your Own
| Design Your Own
| Gardens News
| Lawns
| Message Boards
| Organic and Wildlife
| Paving and Decking
| Planting Up
| Plant Finder
| Plant of the Month
| Programmes
| Stockist Directory
| Sven’s Diary
| Water Features
