RHS Wisley Reveals Heatwave Winners as Surrey Gardens Wilt
Wisley’s Drought Trials Offer Lessons for Every Surrey Garden
For anyone who’s walked the winding paths of RHS Wisley near Woking on a scorching afternoon, the current dry spell is impossible to miss. With no rain for nearly six weeks and a fourth heatwave now gripping the South East, the world-famous gardens have become an unlikely testing ground for the future of British horticulture. RHS horticulture director Tim Upson says the trial beds are showing clear winners and losers. Persian roses and baptisia are holding their colour and structure despite the punishing conditions, while sweet peas—long a cottage garden favourite from Guildford to Dorking—are struggling badly. Wild carrots, meanwhile, are described as ‘looking great,’ and crape myrtles are flowering beautifully in the heat. This matters far beyond Wisley’s gates. Gardeners across Surrey, from allotment holders in Horsley to homeowners in East Horsley, are watching their own borders shrivel and are hungry for guidance. Upson says the garden has deliberately ‘future-proofed’ its planting choices, selecting varieties that deliver colour and interest even when water is scarce—a lesson increasingly relevant as our summers grow hotter and drier.
What Local Gardeners and Households Can Do Right Now
RHS chief horticulturist Guy Barter has practical advice for residents across Kent, Surrey and Sussex trying to keep gardens alive without wasting precious water. His top tip: prioritise watering only the plants that genuinely need it to survive, and don’t be afraid to compost anything that’s clearly past saving. Barter also suggests delaying summer seed sowing so water can go where it’s needed most right now, and thinking ahead to 2027 by choosing thirstier crops less often found in supermarkets. It’s a shift in mindset—treating water as a finite resource to be ‘eked out’ until autumn days bring relief. Meanwhile, the heat is affecting more than gardens. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for the South East, and Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is asking hospital visitors to bring cool water with them. It’s a timely reminder that heatwave planning isn’t just about your flowerbeds—it’s about looking out for vulnerable neighbours, elderly relatives, and anyone spending time outdoors across our towns and villages.
Looking Ahead: Adapting Homes and Gardens for a Changing Climate
Wisley’s message is clear: our gardens need to evolve, and so might our homes. As heatwaves become more frequent, many Surrey households are already rethinking how their properties cope with extreme weather—whether that’s drought-resilient planting or practical upgrades indoors. Local tradespeople report growing interest in kitchen renovation projects designed to improve ventilation and reduce heat build-up, while bathroom refurbishment work increasingly includes better insulation and water-efficient fixtures. Homeowners hiring bathroom fitters are also asking about water-saving taps and showers, a small but meaningful way to conserve supply during dry spells. For now, the RHS encourages residents to visit Wisley and see the drought trial firsthand—it’s an eye-opening lesson in resilience. Whether you garden in a sprawling plot near Dorking or a modest yard in Woking, the take-home message is the same: work with the weather, not against it. Watch your local water company’s updates, follow RHS advice on planting choices for next year, and consider small home upgrades now that could make a big difference when the next heatwave inevitably arrives.
Source: RHS Wisley in Surrey has heatwave advice for South East gardens
