Designing Gardens That Work With the British Climate (Not Against It)

Drought-tolerant garden design by Hook Garden Design in the UK

The British climate has always been a little unpredictable — but in recent years, it’s changed dramatically. We’re now facing hotter summers, heavier downpours, and longer growing seasons, and that’s having a real impact on what gardens can thrive here in the UK.

As a garden designer, I see this every day. And the good news? With the right approach, you can create a garden that’s not only beautiful but resilient — a space that works with the climate, not against it.

Embracing Change: A New Look for the Modern British Garden

That picture-perfect British garden with lush lawns and rose borders? It’s lovely — but increasingly hard to maintain. Lawns dry out, high-maintenance plants struggle in the heat, and keeping everything green often requires more water than is sustainable.

But letting go of that traditional image doesn’t mean settling for less. In fact, when you design with the climate in mind, your garden becomes more rewarding — less effort, more character, and more in tune with the landscape around it.

At Hook Garden Design, we focus on creating spaces that are layered, seasonal, and naturally adapted to thrive in UK conditions.

Plants That Don’t Just Survive — They Thrive

Choosing the right plants is key. I look for species that can cope with the dry spells, occasional waterlogging, and changing seasons we now experience — without needing constant irrigation or chemicals.

Some of my go-to plants for this style of planting include:

• Stipa tenuissima — soft, flowing grasses that love dry soil

• Achillea millefolium — pollinator-friendly and hardy

• Eryngium planum — striking structure, drought-resistant

• Amelanchier lamarckii — a beautiful small tree with spring blossom, summer berries, and fiery autumn colour

These plants don’t just look good — they’re reliable, long-lasting, and help build healthier soil as they grow.

Water Is Central to Garden Design in 2025

In the past, water use was an afterthought. Now, it’s one of the first things I plan. We design gardens that manage water smartly — not just to save it, but to prevent flooding, reduce maintenance, and support biodiversity.

That might include:

• Permeable surfaces that let rain soak into the ground

• Rain gardens to hold stormwater

• Mulching and composting to lock in moisture

• Grouping plants by water needs

These simple techniques make a huge difference — and they help your garden bounce back faster after dry or wet weather.

Designing for the Long Term — Beauty That Evolves

When I’m designing a garden, I’m not just thinking about what it looks like next summer. I’m thinking about what it looks like in five years. I want your garden to feel better with age.

That’s why I focus on:

• Natural materials that weather beautifully

• Evergreens for structure through winter

• Seasonal layers of interest — so there's always something happening

A well-designed garden should feel like a living, breathing extension of your home — changing gently with the seasons and becoming more established each year.

Let’s Future-Proof Your Outdoor Space

If your garden feels out of step with the seasons — or just a bit too hard to manage — a climate-aware redesign could make all the difference.

At Hook Garden Design, I help homeowners across Nottinghamshire and the wider UK create gardens that are practical, beautiful, and will improve with time.

Get in touch today or head to the Contact Page to book a consultation.

Let’s build a garden that thrives in any weather.