Earth, wind and fire

Gardens and wildlife have suffered this year, says Val

- Val Bourne

GARDENERS are used to dealing with the elements, but this year my garden has suffered from drought, strong winds and extreme heat. I’m mulling over my strategy, as on the one hand I want to store more water more efficiently, but I also want to grow plants that can cope with climate change because I only want to water where really necessary. I haven’t got the time, or inclination, to spend hours watering everything, because water is a precious resource.

Do I get rid of my border phloxes because they failed this year? Should I keep my tall sanguisorbas? They also browned early on. My crocosmias hated this summer. Their foliage turned golden brown and they failed to flower, for the first time in my living memory. Should they be replaced – and what with?

The answers depend on subsequent summers, but there’s no way of knowing for ordinary mortals like us. I do know that we have had six dry years on the trot, and raising plants and growing vegetables is harder than it used to be.