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Everything’s a bit soggy after two days of rain and high winds. But we were lucky and didn’t see the worst of the weather, there are a lot of people having to deal with much worse than a waterlogged garden.
It’s been reported as the most intense September storm for 30 years. Roads, rail lines and homes have been flooded – many in areas that were hit by similar floods in recent years.
Reports of extreme weather events, not just in the UK but globally, seem to be becoming more common. There was a discussion on the radio this morning over the increasing number of ’1 in 100 year’ weather events we’ve seen over the last couple of decades.
Climate scientists are saying that, while they can’t link individual extreme weather events directly to climate change, the probability of such events occurring is going to be higher under a changing climate. So, are the droughts, high temperatures and severe storms across the world a taste of things to come as global temperatures rise?
The thing is that, here at least, gardening magazines are still advising us to plan for climate change by choosing drought-tolerant plants. This might make sense in the long term, but given the weather we’ve had over the last few summers, I’d rather be growing lots of nectar-rich plants (drought tolerant or otherwise) to help feed the bees and butterflies that are struggling with habitat loss and poor conditions. But maybe that’s just me…
Agreed…and that extends to allowing a section of wild flowers in the yard to bloom until frost, to feed the stragglers!
Good to know you didn’t have any serious damage.
The stragglers are important too! We sometimes get queen bumblebees out and looking for food when really they should be hibernating – it’s nice to have some nectar still on offer for them.
I also agree that whether it’s hot or dry, wet or cold, we need to plant our gardens to encourage and support the wildlife as they ultimately support us! The Rudbekia is gorgeous by the way
Yup, those pollinators are really important! The rudbeckia is one I grew from seed years ago and has since spread – last year it made it as far as next door’s garden! Not sure if there’s any seed set this year, but if there is and you’re interested I could send you some.
Beautiful photos – especially the bee! I agree entirely. At the end of the day the wildlife is more important than a few plants that survive certain conditions. Grasses and wild flowers are not emphasised enough in those magazines. By the way, do you know the name of the plant in your second photo? It is so pretty!
Thanks Cathy! The plant is Linaria ‘Canon J Went’ – another one that was grown from seed and has spread itself about. If there’s been some seed produced this year, and it’s OK to send seed to Germany, I can let you have some.
That would be fantastic! As far as I know there are no restrictions. I’ll mail you my address! THANKS!
I absolutely agree! Well said! And great photos!
Thank you! Good to hear I’m not alone on this one!
I tend to agree with what you say – I think it is a case of finding the right balance.
Like many thing in life (and gardening), there’s no one simple solution – especially when it’s all so unpredictable.
My mum & dad have a huge native (Australian) garden which has large number of drought tolerant plants which was great during our last 12 year drought but less helpful when it broke 2 years ago and many of them died because of the completely changed conditions. I think you need a combination and be prepared to change what you are growing reasonably regularly to cope with the increasingly changing conditions.
I think you’re right Liz – planting for current growing conditions with a good mixture of plants increases the chances of something doing well.