WorldEnvironment
Climate change strains historic English gardens as heat and drought take toll
Historic gardens at Hampton Court Palace and other English stately homes are showing stress from record heatwaves and drought, with mature trees drooping and leaves browning in August.
At Hampton Court Palace near London, head gardener Graham Dillamore has spent more than 20 years tending formal gardens laid out in the 17th century. This summer, the grass is burnt beige and mature trees that normally take decades to establish are drooping, with some leaves turning brown in August—a stress reaction to excessive heat.
Dillamore warned that if next summer is like this one, maintaining the gardens would be a struggle. The gardens at Hampton Court, as well as those at Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House, were created by master designers such as Lancelot "Capability" Brown and William Kent. These historic gardens are among England's top visitor attractions.
Gardeners report that the historic style of planting and ancient trees are being severely affected by climate change, including the record heatwaves and drought experienced this summer. The exact long-term impact on the gardens is still being assessed, but the visible stress on the trees and lawns highlights the vulnerability of these heritage landscapes to changing climate conditions.
WorldEnvironment
Climate change strains historic English gardens as heat and drought take toll
Historic gardens at Hampton Court Palace and other English stately homes are showing stress from record heatwaves and drought, with mature trees drooping and leaves browning in August.
At Hampton Court Palace near London, head gardener Graham Dillamore has spent more than 20 years tending formal gardens laid out in the 17th century. This summer, the grass is burnt beige and mature trees that normally take decades to establish are drooping, with some leaves turning brown in August—a stress reaction to excessive heat.
Dillamore warned that if next summer is like this one, maintaining the gardens would be a struggle. The gardens at Hampton Court, as well as those at Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House, were created by master designers such as Lancelot "Capability" Brown and William Kent. These historic gardens are among England's top visitor attractions.
Gardeners report that the historic style of planting and ancient trees are being severely affected by climate change, including the record heatwaves and drought experienced this summer. The exact long-term impact on the gardens is still being assessed, but the visible stress on the trees and lawns highlights the vulnerability of these heritage landscapes to changing climate conditions.