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The RHS advises gardeners to plant trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials in autumn so they can establish before summer. British Garden Centres has also published a guide to plants it says tolerate heat, including sedums, asters and ornamental grasses. The advice follows a summer described in the report as marked by heat and drought, but no specific planting dates or watering requirements are given for individual plants.
The Royal Horticultural Society is advising gardeners to plant trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials in autumn, giving them time to establish before the following summer. The advice follows a summer described by Amateur Gardening as having severe heat and drought, and is intended to help gardens prepare for longer, hotter dry spells.
The RHS says autumn, winter and spring give newly planted garden plants time to develop roots before summer conditions. It points to warm, moist soil as a condition that supports root growth, while cooler weather can reduce stress on plants. Falling weed and pest pressure may also leave them with less competition as they establish.
British Garden Centres has separately published a guide to plants that it says cope well with hot weather and can be planted now. Its suggested varieties include sedums, Verbena bonariensis, asters, chrysanthemums, sea hollies and ornamental grasses. The report does not specify particular cultivars, planting locations or care instructions for each variety.
Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, described the recommended plants as “generally tough, forgiving and happy with less-than-perfect conditions once established.” The qualification matters: the advice refers to plants after establishment and does not suggest that newly planted specimens need no care or water.
Getting Roots Established Before Summer
The advice focuses on preparing gardens before summer rather than responding to drought after it begins. Autumn planting can give roots time to develop during cooler months, potentially helping plants cope with dry conditions later. For gardeners, that means considering suitable plants and planting them before the next period of heat, rather than waiting until summer to replace stressed or lost plants.
The RHS also links autumn planting with more considered water use. Leigh Hunt, the society’s principal horticultural advisor, said it gives certain plants a better chance and helps gardeners use water more wisely. That is the RHS’s rationale; the report does not provide measured water savings or comparative survival rates.
Plant choice remains only one part of preparation. The source describes plants as more resilient once established, not immune to heat or drought. Gardeners should therefore treat the recommendations as planning guidance, not a guarantee that plants will survive every extreme weather event.
autumn planting trees shrubs perennials
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Advice Following Summer Heat and Drought
The report says horticultural experts are compiling plant and practice recommendations after a summer described as having unprecedented heat and drought. It does not identify the exact summer, give temperature or rainfall figures, or define the geographic area covered by that description. The recommendations are presented as responses to the risk of future extreme temperatures.
Two related strands of advice are reported. British Garden Centres’ guide focuses on varieties described as suited to hot weather, while the RHS focuses on when to plant trees, shrubs and perennials so they have several seasons to establish. The organizations’ guidance is complementary, but neither the article nor its cited statements provide trial data comparing these plants or planting seasons.
““If we want gardens to survive longer, hotter dry spells, we need to make autumn planting part of the new gardening calendar. It gives certain plants a better chance and helps gardeners use water more wisely.””
— Leigh Hunt, principal horticultural advisor at the RHS
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Plant-Specific Guidance Still Missing
The report does not give planting dates by region, soil-preparation steps, watering schedules or advice for gardens with different soil types and exposure. It also does not say how the listed plants performed during particular heat or drought events, or provide evidence comparing autumn planting with planting at other times.
The description of the past summer as unprecedented is not accompanied by weather data or a stated geographical scope. It is also unclear whether the RHS or British Garden Centres will publish more detailed guidance, including care instructions for plants during their first summer. Readers should check plant labels and local growing advice before choosing varieties for a specific site.
drought resistant ornamental grasses
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Planting Plans for the Coming Seasons
Gardeners interested in the advice can review planting plans for autumn and select trees, shrubs, perennials or heat-tolerant varieties suited to their garden. The RHS guidance envisages plants using autumn, winter and spring to establish ahead of summer; the report does not set out a formal schedule or announce a new research programme.
British Garden Centres’ guide is available as a source of variety suggestions, while the RHS comments provide the seasonal rationale. Further practical detail—such as regional timing, establishment care and water needs—would help gardeners apply the recommendations, but no additional guidance or follow-up date is specified in the report.
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Key Questions
Why does the RHS recommend planting in autumn?
The RHS says autumn planting gives trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials autumn, winter and spring to establish before summer heat. It also says warm, moist soil supports root growth and cooler weather can reduce plant stress.
Which plants does British Garden Centres suggest?
The reported list includes sedums, Verbena bonariensis, asters, chrysanthemums, sea hollies and ornamental grasses. The report does not specify varieties or give individual care instructions.
Does the advice mean these plants need no water?
No. The source describes the plants as tough once established, but does not say they need no water. It provides no watering schedule, so gardeners should follow plant-specific guidance and monitor newly planted specimens as they establish.
What evidence is provided for the recommendations?
The report attributes the planting rationale to the RHS and the heat-tolerant plant suggestions to British Garden Centres. It does not include trial results, survival rates or quantified water savings.
Source: rss
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