UK Environment Minister - Gardeners Shld Replace Roses W. Yucca, Lavender

[hatrack]

Oh, and by the way, it rained more in Jerusalem last year than it did in London.

GARDENERS should grub up their roses and rhododendrons and replace them with yuccas and lavenders in preparation for the hot, dry summers that climate change will bring to Britain, Ian Pearson, the environment minister, will warn this week, write Jonathan Milne and Jonathan Leake. Pearson is to present evidence from scientists engaged in botanical research at Kew Gardens suggesting that rising temperatures are sharply altering the growing patterns of many British plants.

The worst effects, he believes, will be felt by British gardeners with their fondness for luxuriant and thirsty plants such as roses and wisterias. “The UK’s climate is changing and this is having a big impact on our gardens as well as our natural ecosystems,” Pearson said. “The growing season for plants is now a month longer than it was 100 years ago, and many of the impacts from climate change will have significant effects on how we manage our gardens in the future.”

Long term, some of the most traditional English garden plants may become impossible to grow in southern England, including ferns, rhododendrons, poppies and rhubarb. Gardeners are also being advised to avoid cutting their lawns too short to help the grass to survive, and to plant lavenders, marigolds, cistus, salvias and even cacti.

EDIT

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2350798,00.html

[hobbit709]

1. But there's no global warming

You gonna believe our "fearless leader" or your lying eyes and the scientific facts?

[phantom power]

2. Good Christ, *yucca*??

London is going to look like Phoenix?

[hatrack]

3. Well, drier than Jerusalem last year, so . . .

I wish more people in Las Vegas and Phoenix would take the same approach.

[morningglory]

4. How 'bout: pomegranates, figs, sweet kumquats? n/t

[fedsron2us]

5. Jerusalem quite often receives more rain annually than London

If the author of the article could be bothered to check the statistics he would find that both cities receive about 600 mm of precipitation each year and have done so for a long time.

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-61885
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-13483