Garden Design and climate change - a challenge and an opportunity.

The British weather has always been a favourite topic of conversation, but in recent years many gardeners have noticed something different. Longer periods of drought, sudden downpours, warmer winters and increasingly unpredictable growing seasons are becoming more common. Conditions that once felt exceptional are now beginning to shape the way we think about our gardens.

For garden designers, these more extreme weather patterns, coupled with alarming reports of declining insect, bird, amphibian and wildflower populations, present a significant challenge. While aesthetic beauty and practical functionality remain at the heart of the gardens we create, it would be both irresponsible and unwise to ignore the realities of the climate emergency. A successful garden should continue to thrive, evolve and bring joy for many years after it is planted, and I think it is fair to say most garden designers get a kick from making a positive contribution to the world.

This subject was recently highlighted in the National Trust Magazine, where our work on the Iris Garden at Nunnington Hall was featured as an example of designing with future climate conditions in mind. Alongside several other inspiring examples of innovative gardening and landscape design, the article emphasised the growing need for resilient, long-term approaches to creating and managing gardens.

It is encouraging to see organisations such as the National Trust actively considering how landscapes can adapt to environmental change while continuing to protect their historic legacy for future generations. The conversation around climate resilience is gaining momentum, but there is still much work to be done. Greater value must be placed on our green spaces and stronger efforts made to protect and enhance them.

The work of the late Nigel Dunnett has long been a source of inspiration for me. His ability to recognise opportunities for green space within urban environments, and to combine scientific understanding with generous beauty, has helped redefine what contemporary landscape design can achieve. His work demonstrates how carefully considered planting and ecological thinking can create landscapes that endure, adapting gracefully to both time and climate.

Of course, gardens have always evolved. Throughout history they have reflected changing fashions, newly introduced plants and advances in horticultural knowledge. What feels different today is the pace of environmental change and the growing need to consider resilience from the very beginning of the design process.

Fortunately, designing for a changing climate does not require compromising on beauty. In many ways, it encourages a richer and more thoughtful approach to garden making. By selecting plants suited to a broader range of conditions, establishing strong structural frameworks and working more closely with natural systems, we can create gardens that are not only more resilient but often more dynamic, characterful and engaging.

At Nunnington Hall, these principles formed an important part of the design approach. The project provided an opportunity to explore how planting and landscape management might respond to future challenges while remaining sympathetic to the character of the historic setting. Rather than creating a garden dependent upon intensive intervention, the aim was to establish a landscape capable of adapting and flourishing as conditions evolve over time.

This reflects a broader shift within garden design. Increasingly, clients are looking beyond immediate visual impact and considering how their gardens will perform in five, ten or even twenty years' time. They seek outdoor spaces that can withstand periods of drought, support biodiversity, manage rainfall more effectively and remain attractive throughout the seasons. These aspirations align closely with the principles of good design, creating gardens that feel connected to their surroundings and work with nature rather than against it.

There is also a growing recognition that private gardens have an important role to play in supporting the wider environment. Collectively, they represent a significant area of land. When thoughtfully designed, gardens can provide valuable habitats for pollinators, birds and other wildlife while helping to strengthen local ecological resilience. Diverse planting, healthy soils and careful water management benefit not only the garden itself but the wider landscape beyond its boundaries.

Perhaps the most important lesson is that climate resilience should not be viewed as a separate design consideration. It is simply part of creating a good garden. A landscape that can withstand changing conditions, support wildlife and remain beautiful with sensible levels of maintenance will ultimately offer greater value and enjoyment to those who care for it.

As we look ahead, it is clear that the gardens of the future must respond to a changing world. The most successful designs will be those that embrace this challenge, creating spaces that are adaptable, sustainable and deeply rooted in their surroundings. After all, the finest gardens have always worked in partnership with nature. Today, that principle feels more relevant than ever.