A coalition of leading UK horticultural organizations is creating the Garden Climate Assessment Tool (GCAT), an online resource designed to help gardeners select plants suited to projected future climate conditions. The tool, developed by the Future National Gardens Group (FNGG) and featuring members including the Royal Horticultural Society, National Trust, and English Heritage, will allow users to input plants and receive risk assessments based on factors such as annual average temperature, winter cold, and climate dryness specific to their location.
The GCAT addresses a growing challenge for UK gardeners as climate patterns shift beyond historical norms. Traditional English garden plants, including popular species like silver birch, hydrangeas, and delphiniums, increasingly struggle during drought periods and heat waves. The tool aims to help gardeners make informed decisions about plant selection while gradually phasing out species unlikely to thrive in future conditions rather than reacting to failures after planting.
The initiative builds on an existing climate assessment tool developed by Botanic Gardens Conservation International, which launched in Australia in 2022 focusing on trees. The UK adaptation expands the scope to encompass a broader range of plant species, with current data covering up to 80,650 plant types from 289 UK gardens. Professional gardeners began testing the tool earlier this week, with plans for eventual public release pending further refinement.
Experts emphasize the tool’s value for providing location-specific guidance, as growing conditions vary significantly across regions. Some users noted that factors currently excluded from the assessment, such as soil type, could enhance recommendations for gardeners in chalk or clay areas. The tool represents an effort to support gardeners in adapting their practices to changing environmental conditions while maintaining confidence in their planting decisions going forward.
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