British gardeners are turning to more exotic plants such as figs, grapevines and even banana trees due to a warming climate and being stuck in the UK due to lockdown.
New research by UK polytunnel manufacturer, Premier Polytunnels, found that climate change was leading to a change in the plants thriving in the UK.
Met Office data has shown that the UK average annual temperatures have increased by 3.9 per cent since 2015 with some months seeing a 50 per cent increase.
This has made it possible for a wider range of plants to grow in the UK, including citrus fruits, figs, grapevines and even palm trees in British gardens.
They found that the Coronavirus lockdown led to people be coming more experimental in their gardens and planting these more exotic options, although tomatoes, roses, daffodils and mint are the most commonly grown.
British gardeners are turning to more exotic plants such as figs, grapevines and even banana trees due to a warming climate and being stuck in the UK due to lockdown. Stock image
This has made it possible for a wider range of plants to grow in the UK, including citrus fruits, figs, grapevines and even palm trees in British gardens. Stock image
The researchers found that about a third of British people claim to be ‘excellent’ at gardening, but there that it is getting harder to keep plants thriving.
This is in part due to warmer temperatures caused by climate change, where traditional plants used to a cooler climate are struggling under more intense heat.
Temperatures are estimated to be up to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in the UK by 2050, unless more is done to reduce the impact of climate change.
This change in climate will result in wetter winters causing excessive rainfall and hotter summers leading to droughts.
When combined this will create a challenging terrain for plants, particularly those used to fairly consistent seasons.
The UK’s average annual rainfall across the winter months has increased by a substantial 11.3 per cent, from 16 inches in 2000, to 18.5 inches in 2020.
Although it is believed that many of the plants and vegetation are learning to adapt to the changing conditions, there are some quite noticeable changes to the types of plants becoming common in British gardens and allotments.
This is happening as gardeners seek to find plants more likely to survive and thrive in a warmer, wetter and sometimes drier British climate.
Citrus fruits, figs, grapevines and even palm trees are flourishing in recent years due to the change in weather conditions.
In more unusual cases, bananas trees were found to be growing in both the Northern city of Stockport and in areas of the South of England, albeit not always bearing edible fruits.
Jack Wallington, landscape designer, conservationist and gardening writer, said global warming was having a noticeable impact on plants grown in the UK
They found that the Coronavirus lockdown led to people be coming more experimental in their gardens and planting these more exotic options, although tomatoes, roses, daffodils and mint are the most commonly grown. Stock image
Met Office data has shown that the UK average annual temperatures have increased by 3.9 per cent since 2015 with some months seeing a 50 per cent increase. Stock image
‘Our winters are wetter with more rainfall, combined with warmer temperatures leading to less snow and frost,’ he said.
‘Soil remains waterlogged rather than freezing over which leads to more plants rotting or drowning, as well as increased flooding particularly in northern parts of the country.
‘At the other end of the stick, summers are hotter with extended periods with no rain making gardening increasingly difficult in south eastern areas.’
He gave the example of dahlias, which are traditionally dug up in the winter to store indoors – but with increasing soil temperature they are thriving outside year round.
‘Many warm climate fruits are performing better too, including figs and peaches.’
While these changes point to a more tropical outlook for UK gardens in the future, avid gardeners still favour traditional plants over tropical varieties.
The top plants grown in 2020 in UK gardens, yards and even in pots on balconies, were tomatoes, roses and daffodils, all of which thrive in typical British weather.
Whilst chamomile, zinnias, grape vines, cornflowers and allium rounded up the less-favoured plant list amongst UK growers.
Despite their green fingered attempts, almost ten per cent of UK adults currently fail to keep their garden plants alive, the researchers discovered.
A further 63 per cent stated it very much depended on the type of plant as to whether it will survive their care.
Deborah Wood, Company Director for Premier Polytunnels, who funded and carried out the research, said gardeners and plants were learning to adapt.
‘As our plants have done – we can provide an environment in which a wider variety of plants can flourish and thrive,’ she said.
‘We recommend spending time doing some research and introducing structures such as an orangery, greenhouse or polytunnel (if you have the space), which can provide shelter and a more stable environment for your plants to blossom.’