Press Release

Protecting plants during drought

STAFF at Kew's country garden in West Sussex are working hard to try and save rare and exotic plants affected by the continuing hot, dry conditions. Their efforts come amid the promise of even higher temperatures and no sign of substantial rainfall as well as the current water restrictions in force across the area.

As temperatures soar, plants at Wakehurst Place are showing signs of stress and horticulturalists are using every trick of the trade known to them. Top of their battle-plan is mulching, a way of reducing evaporation around plants suffering from the drought conditions. The plants are suffering extreme stress from the drought and scorching from the searing temperatures.

"While May saw much rainfall, and was the wettest drought on record, it didn't make up for two of the driest winters for decades", according to spokesman Trevor Butler. "April was the busiest month for visitors in the history of the botanic gardens which have been run as an extension of Kew Gardens for over 40 years. We must ensure the beauty is maintained for the peak summer season."

Wakehurst Place has its own irrigation system, and so can beat any hosepipe ban. But conservationists at the 600-acres Ardingly estate say that it is almost impossible to make up the shortfall in rain the plants have experienced of late. The soil is still very dry deep down, and it will take a lot of rain to restore water levels to normal.

"Even if we use a bowser on every tree affected it's hard for the water to penetrate to the root system where it's needed", added the spokesman. "Our best line of defence is to use a rich, humus mulch which is high in organic matter along with wood chips to keep the moisture in the soil for the plants to take up".

The estate-made mulch is laid thickly around the plants and helps to prevent vital moisture from evaporating. This should ensure the plants continue to produce a wonderful spectacle for the thousands of visitors who flock to the gardens each week.

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