Garden planted to cope with weather extremes

At Beningbrough Hall, a stunning new garden has been created to adapt to the changing climate. This Mediterranean-inspired garden, located in North Yorkshire, England, is designed to handle the warmer summers and extreme weather events that are becoming more common. The National Trust, which manages many historic sites, announced that the garden will open to the public on Monday. It features over 4,000 plants, including herbaceous perennials, grasses, trees, and shrubs sourced from various regions around the globe. The designer of the garden, Andy Sturgeon, emphasized that climate change is forcing landscapers to rethink their gardening strategies. He pointed out that in the UK, we can expect not only hotter summers and prolonged dry spells but also an increase in heavy rainfall, particularly during the winter months. This means that gardens must be able to withstand both dry and wet conditions. To address this, the garden includes a stormwater tank that collects rainwater, which can be used for irrigation during dry periods. Andy Sturgeon stated that the garden is equipped to handle 'very wet days' as well as extended periods of warm weather. The plants chosen for this garden come from Mediterranean countries, as well as South Africa, South Korea, Chile, China, and Australia. This diverse selection of plants will enhance biodiversity in an area that has not been fully utilized in the past. The inspiration for the garden's design was drawn from the Italian-style baroque hall, which was constructed in 1716 for the Bourchier family. Head gardener Sam Shipman shared that since the construction began in 2023, it has rained almost every day, which has delayed their progress. He humorously noted the irony of building a Mediterranean garden during one of the wettest autumns, winters, and springs on record. The National Trust highlighted that the extreme local weather conditions have underscored the necessity for adaptable planting strategies. The redevelopment of the garden was made possible through funding from Ian Reddihough, a supporter of Beningbrough Hall, who left a generous gift in his will to support the development of the stately home. This new garden not only serves as a beautiful attraction for visitors but also stands as a testament to how we can adapt our gardening practices in response to the challenges posed by climate change.