Severe drought and heatwaves prompt gardeners to rethink planting strategies

Gardeners in West Sussex are facing unprecedented challenges as record-breaking heatwaves and severe drought put immense stress on traditional plant species, causing many to struggle or die completely. Horticultural experts note that the changing climate requires a shift in how landscapes are maintained. To build climate resilience, professionals plan to gradually introduce a more diverse mix of plant species from regions such as North America, southeastern Europe, central Asia, South Korea, and Japan. While predicting future survival rates remains difficult, experimentation and accepting the loss of vulnerable species will be key to keeping gardens full of life.