English garden could disappear
The traditional English garden of rolling grass and herbaceous borders could be a thing of the past by the next century.
If climate change proceeds as predicted, with temperatures rising by up to 3C and 35 per cent less rainfall by 2050, then the English countryside could begin to resemble the Mediterranean.
That is the scenario being discussed by scientists at the Trees in a changing climate industry event at the University of Surrey, Guildford.
Experts in the fields of horticulture, forest science and ecology will be debating the issues, and attempting to work out how the forestry, conservation, heritage and gardening sectors should respond.
Such changes would be seen in the types of plants and trees that are grown, which could, by 2050, be olive groves and grape vines, in place of lawns and herbaceous borders.
Beach woodlands are expected to suffer under the new temperatures, and could be replaced by species including walnut, plums, kiwi fruits and vines.
Guy Barter from the Royal Horticultural Society told BBC News online: “Lawns and herbaceous borders are going to be difficult to maintain, especially in areas of water shortages.”
“For the average gardener there may be more opportunities but it’s going to be very difficult for the National Trust, for example, to maintain the character of its historic gardens.”
Keynote speakers at the conference are set to include Environment Minister Elliot Morley and former Secretary of State for the Environment John Gummer. There will also be representatives from the National Trust, the Tree Council and a French tree expert – on how to manage trees in a hotter climate.
