Creating a resilient garden goes beyond simply harvesting rainwater or making your own compost. While these are important practices that benefit both your garden and your well-being, a truly resilient garden requires a holistic approach—one that considers the larger impact your garden has on the environment, both locally and globally. Whether you are planning a garden design in Cheltenham or across the Cotswolds, it’s essential to consider sustainable practices. Your garden should not only be visually appealing but also eco-friendly, supporting wildlife while minimising its carbon footprint.
As we face an increasingly unpredictable climate, with hotter summers, wetter winters, unexpected cold snaps, strong winds, and the arrival of foreign pests and diseases, the gardens we grew up with may no longer be sustainable. Adapting to these changes is essential, all while creating beautiful spaces that provide food and shelter for pollinators, insects, and other wildlife. One strategy for future-proofing your garden is incorporating versatile plants from different climates—species that can cope with extreme weather or have developed strategies to adapt to changing conditions.
In designing a resilient garden, selecting the right plants is key. Many plants are either drought-resistant or drought-tolerant, and understanding the distinction can help guide your choices.
Drought conditions are not limited to hot climates—they can also occur during winter, when freezing temperatures replace rainfall. In the UK, such conditions are usually brief, but in other countries, winters can be severe and prolonged. To prepare for these changes, consider incorporating drought-resistant plants recommended by the RHS into your garden.
Another important consideration is the sustainability of your plant choices. Ask yourself where your plants come from—were they grown locally, or imported from abroad? Imported plants often come with higher carbon footprints due to transportation and packaging. Consider sourcing locally grown plants or growing similar varieties from seed yourself. Growing plants from seed can be a rewarding process, allowing you to connect more deeply with your garden.
Designing a resilient garden involves thoughtful planning. Sustainable or recycled materials, such as crushed construction waste for pathways and driveways, can reduce environmental impact. This approach was exemplified by award-winning designer Tom Massey in his show garden at Hampton Court Palace in 2023.
With climate change affecting the hardiness of many beloved garden plants, species diversity is crucial. Look for new, hardy varieties that can thrive in challenging conditions while preserving the beauty of traditional gardens. For those in the Cotswolds, sustainable gardening practices can help adapt to these climatic changes, ensuring your garden remains both beautiful and resilient. Advances in rose breeding, for example, have produced cultivars that are more resistant to environmental stresses while retaining their cherished characteristics.
The natural world has already developed countless adaptive strategies for coping with change. By observing and learning from these strategies, we can create gardens that are not only beautiful but resilient and future-proof.
Contact Gardens by Keltie & Clark to discuss how we can help you to create a sustainable, eco-friendly garden design in the Cotswolds that thrives in the face of changing climates.
