Sunshine and intense heat including record breaking temperatures exceeding 35 degrees on at least 7 days this summer, coupled with low rainfall in recent months, has parched the land, flora and fauna. Farmers are raising concerns about crop and livestock productivity, while weather forecasts offer no substantial rain or end to drought conditions in sight.
Responding to developments, leading educational charity Eden Project, which this year marked its 25th anniversary, wants to raise more awareness about how to adapt water use by encouraging people to take positive action at home to help mitigate the water crisis.
Andy Jasper, CEO of the charity Eden Project said: “Eden Project focuses on connecting people with the wonders of the natural world, showcasing plants, and exploring the story of life on our planet. Since we opened our doors in Cornwall, we’ve welcomed more that 25 million people in to enjoy our incredible global gardens. We’ve created a different climate example including our dry Mediterranean Biome to inspire our visitors and explore how to make changes in their everyday lives to care for nature and help mitigate climate change.
“Drought conditions and wildfires we’re seeing this year remind us that we need to take action to improve our connection with the natural world and support nature to recover. There are so many positive things we can do – the future is ours to make!”
Eden Project showcases plants that suit different climates, with adaptation of soils, a geothermal water supply and experimental watering recycling systems supporting a tropical rainforest, a Mediterranean Biome and stunning temperate outdoor gardens.
Charles Sainsbury, Eden Project Head of Regenerative Sustainability and Energy, said: “The Eden Project collects two-thirds of its water needs on site. –Being situated in a former clay mine, the site water systems are critical. Groundwater is collected to flush water-efficient loos and rainwater is harvested to irrigate plants.”
Eden Project’s planting for climate resilience, and responsible watering include a new Thriveway garden exhibit showcasing a different way to plant, while the mature and established Mediterranean Biome offers a snapshot of hotter, drier regions around the world and the plants which thrive in these conditions.
As the UK summer climate begins to mirror a drier Mediterranean one, Eden Project’s Mediterranean Biome offers a unique place to learn about plants that will cope better in a changing UK climate. It’s an example of how we can adapt, help nature and support biodiversity including vital pollinators to survive, thrive and recover.
Peter Jones, Eden Project’s Director of Horticulture, said: “Drought caused by extended periods of dry weather and extreme heat this year have impacted flora and fauna across the UK – grasses are bleached a striking gold, soil has become dusty and hydrophobic with moisture deficit reducing microbial activity. Plants are struggling, but there is a lot we can do to help. Eden Project’s diverse demonstrator landscapes feature adapted planting and simple approaches that can be replicated in the UK’s gardens too.
“We can improve our planning for wetter winters and extremely dry summers, and learn to be more careful about how we use water, and recycle it. Every action we take has a cumulative impact on water supply, benefiting nature and people as a result.”
To help plants and biodiversity to thrive, Eden Project has tips to help out.
Household Water Saving Tips
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth to save 6 litres of water per minute!
- Shorten your showers – showers use between 6 and 45 litres per minute.
- Use full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher to cut washes
- Fix a dripping tap - a dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day
- Install a water butt to your drainpipe to capture and reserve water when it rains
Water Conserving Gardening
- Mulch your plant: Put a thick layer of bark, compost, or straw around your plants to trap moisture and keep the soil cool. Do this before soil surface has dried out
- Use a watering can: Use a watering can with a rose attachment instead of a running hose to control where the water goes and stop soil from washing away
- Use stored water: Use rainwater from a water butt or reuse clean grey water like old washing-up water (as long as it has no bleach in it).
- Prioritise plants: Focus your limited water on food crops, young or newly planted, and containers. Established trees and shrubs usually survive on their own.
- Keep the water where it needs to be: Use products like tree bags which release water slowly over 48hr, or make your own with upside down plastic bottles at the base on plants
- Water early or late: Water in the early morning or late evening to stop water from evaporating quickly in the sun.
- Soak deeply: Water the base of plants heavily once a week instead of giving them a light splash every day. This helps roots grow deeper into the soil, supporting resilience.
- Check pots daily: When they’re dry, top up with water - but use saucers to capture any water that escapes.
Dry Weather Plant Planning - right plant, right place
- Plant selection: Mediterranean herbs, deep-rooted perennials, and silver-foliaged plants that naturally lock in moisture. These resilient varieties thrive in baking sun and require minimal watering once their roots are established. But we must also be mindful of choosing plants that can cope with prolonged wetter milder winters.
- Start as you mean to go on: Choose plants for resilience that will be able to cope with a variety of conditions. When establishing trees and shrubs do allow certain gaps in between watering to encourage plants to root deeply.
Top 10 dry and heat resilient plants:
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for borders, pollinators, fragrance
- Russian Sage (Salvia yangii, formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia) for long flowering
- Sedum (Stonecrop) for ground cover, containers, rock gardens
- Agapanthus varieties for dramatic summer flowering
- Verbena bonariensis, very easy to grow and great for pollinators, airy borders
- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) classic evergreen herb with excellent structure
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) native wildflower superb for pollinating insects
- Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) striking colour great for wildlife and long-lasting blooms with autumn seedheads
- Santolina (Cotton Lavender) handsome silver foliage
- Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) for continuous flowering through hot weather
