Planting for Drought

We have had a great summer here in Ireland with temperatures hovering around the mid to late twenties for most of June and July.

While the great weather is fantastic for trips to the beach and BBQs, our gardens have borne the brunt of the scorching heat. Many plants struggled to cope with the ground moisture deficits we experienced this year. The hose-pip ban, while necessary, further exacerbated matters.

Our recent heatwave has prompted me to re-think some of my planting schemes. I have always planned combinations of planting based on their colour, height, texture and how they interact with other plants. While soil conditions, light levels and site moisture levels are also main consideration when choosing planting, it is now imperative that we consider the possibility of drought conditions.

Read more in the September issue…