Climate change

Could climate change mark the end of the typical English country garden?

As temperatures continue to rise, science predicts that by 2080 climate conditions in the UK will be similar to those of Southern Europe. While this means more sun, it also means more rain and wind and will see the growing conditions in the UK changed forever, unless we significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) pollution.

As the climate gets warmer we can expect more droughts, more water restrictions and more plants suffering stress, including vital food crops. We will no longer be able to grow some of our best loved plants and many native species may be lost.

Our garden illustrations show you what UK gardens of the future may look like. Explore the pictures to find out some fascinating facts on how our gardens could change if the mercury continues to creep up.

UK gardens today (2010)

In the UK, our current climate allows us to grow a richly diverse and often lush range of plants. We are able to achieve the traditional English country garden with herbaceous borders, shrubs and trees, fine lawns and water features.

  • Green hills
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    The rolling hills represent the traditional British countryside as we know it. Our current climate caters for everything from lush grasslands and wildlife rich hedgerows.

  • Cows
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    Naturally lush green pastures, perfect for grass fed cattle, are dependent on the moist temperate climate we enjoy today.

  • Lawn
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    Formal lawns thrive in our current climate. They require a significant soil moisture level to remain healthy and green.

  • Cedar
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    This Cedar of Lebanon was planted in the 18th century. The current UK climate has preserved ancient trees like this for many hundreds of years. How long will trees like this still tower above us?

  • Pond
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    This pond is spring fed and is home to a range of native wildlife.

  • Clematis
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    The stunning clematis is a much loved British plant that requires moisture and shade to thrive.

  • Borders
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    These colourful mixed borders are made up of moisture loving traditional English plants such as delphinium, lupins, foxgloves and astilbes that love a rich, moist soil to grow.

  • Front of house
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    Our current temperate climate allows us to preserve our orchards – offering a range of traditional regional pear and apple varieties – also home to many native insects and wildlife, including bees.

  • Lake
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    This lake was dug in the 18th century and relies on a spring fed water supply to maintain its level.

Present day

Artwork © Rob Collins

A plus 2°C future (2040)

Summer temperatures at + 2°C will average 38°C. We have moved to a climate similar to Southern France. A luxurious herbaceous border and an immaculate green lawn are much harder to achieve and Mediterranean varieties of plants have become much more common.

  • Olive Trees
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    Where chestnuts originally grew, warm wet winter conditions have caused widespread disease. As a result, our traditional trees have been replaced with species like olives and cork oak.

  • Tree
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    Due to extreme weather conditions (wind, rain and storms) the cedar tree has been damaged – its future is in doubt.

  • Cows
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    We can no longer graze large numbers of cattle – our pastures aren't lush enough to support the livestock, and the cost of grain crop to feed them is too high for them to be economical. Could this signal the end to steak and chips?

  • Plants
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    In this climate we see the prominence of South American plants such as this passion flower – which can cope in drier conditions and needs more sunlight.

  • Countryside
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    The countryside has become drier in summer due to more regular droughts – we've seen a 30% drop in plant growth.

  • Orchard
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    Due to increasingly mild winters, apple orchard have failed and have been replaced by apricots, peaches and nectarines.

  • Pond
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    The pond has been replaced by a water feature as the spring has dried up. This has seen many native species of wildlife and aquatic life wiped out.

  • Bushes
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    Oranges grown under cover in winter and stood out in summer now crop well in our warmer climate.

  • Lake
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    The lake has turned green. Heavy winter rain has washed soil into the lake from surrounding farmland, causing algae blooms – toxic to both wildlife and humans.

  • Lawn
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    The once lush lawn is now showing signs of stress from drought. When once we may have been able to spare water to quench its thirst, our new climate means water shortages see the grass go thirsty.

In the future

Artwork © Rob Collins

A plus 4°C future (2080)

This temperature sees us living in a climate similar to that currently enjoyed by Portugal. Portugal now has a climate closer to that of sub-Saharan Africa – with famine and droughts widespread. In the UK, plants from Southern Europe thrive in the hot and dry summer, including lemons, oranges and bougainvillea.

  • Countryside
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    The countryside is even drier and permanent grassland is near impossible to maintain. It is now an arid, dusty scrub-meadow. Wild goats are now the only animal able to cope with the tough conditions.

  • Lake
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    The lake has silted up due to soil erosion and the cost of regular dredging has become too high. The days of carp fishing and lazy boating trips are long gone.

  • No pond
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    There is no water feature or pond – all the water is needed for drinking and food production and native aquatic wildlife has been lost.

  • Oranges
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    Orange trees can now be grown outdoors year-round, but still need winter protection from storms.

  • Lawn
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    The lawn is now gravelled as all our water is needed for drinking – no more mowing!

  • Bougainvillea
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    Bougainvillea (native to Brazil) is now able to thrive outdoors here in the UK.

  • Borders
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    It is now far too difficult to grow traditional cottage garden plants such as lupins and foxgloves. These have been replaced with cacti, aloe vera and bananas.

  • Solar Panels
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    Solar panels on the house take advantage of the strong summer sun – wind farms are now also widespread to replace the use of fossil fuels.

  • Cedar
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    The cedar tree has been felled by storms and replaced by date palms.

  • Countryside
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    Where once we grew grass and grazed cattle, these slopes are now dedicated to growing food for the local community with crops like yams and guavas.

In the far future

Artwork © Rob Collins

On average we each contribute over ten tons of CO₂ pollution every year. To live within the Earth's capacity we need to reduce this to less than two tons each. Our individual actions cause up to 40% of the UK's CO₂ pollution, so we all have an impact.

Save the planet and some pennies

There are lots of simple ways we can all make a difference – and save money at the same time. See how to cut your carbon and your costs, with the National Trust and Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks by exploring our interactive garden.

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How does the interactive garden work?

  • Use your cursor to explore our interactive house and garden.
  • There are eight top tips waiting to be found – see if you can find them all.
  • When the object glows, click on it to find out how you can help prevent climate change, while also saving yourself some money.
  • When you're finished reading, click the red cross to carry on hunting for more top tips.

How you can help prevent Climate Change

  • Compost
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    Compost

    There's a reason why gardeners call compost black gold – it's great for the garden and great for the environment too. Did you know that composting your kitchen waste can save as much CO₂ as your kettle produces in a year?

  • Grow your own veg
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    Grow your own veg

    They're good for you and the environment. Grow your own fruit and vegetables and you could save £250 a year and 0.1 tonnes of CO₂ - plus, you'll enjoy the fresher taste and the satisfaction of growing them.

  • Dry clothes outside
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    Dry clothes outside

    The average household spends £170 a year on tumble drying which creates 300 kg of CO₂ pollution. So next time the sun makes an appearance, turn off the tumble and give your clothes a breath of fresh air by using a washing line.

  • Recycle rainwater
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    Recycle rainwater

    By collecting rain in a water butt and using it to water your garden you could save £8 a year on water bills. Plus, it's much better for your plants.

  • Car share
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    Car share

    Ever thought of sharing a lift to the office with someone you work with? By making the change you could save 66kg of CO₂ and £1000 a year based on a 20 mile commute. Just don't blame us if you can't agree what radio station to listen to!

  • Add cavity wall insulation
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    Add cavity wall insulation

    According to research if everyone in the UK installed cavity wall insulation, emissions of CO₂ would be reduced by nine million tonnes. That is enough to fill 51 million double-decker buses! It could save £650 million a year – enough to power 1.8 million homes for the same period.

  • Use energy saving light bulbs
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    Use energy saving light bulbs

    Changing to energy saving bulbs can save you £9 per bulb per year – and release 135kg less CO₂ pollution per bulb. Now that's a bright idea.

  • Insulate your loft
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    Insulate your loft

    Laying insulation in your loft you could save 1500kg of CO₂ per year and £45 – look out for offers from your energy company.

Met Office Thanks to the Met Office for providing much of the information used to produce our climate change garden triptych

Clydesdale Bank & Yorkshire Banks proudly present National Trust Outdoor Programme Growing Together