New Garden Climate Tool Helps Growers Pick Drought-Resistant Plants 2026

A new online tool will help UK gardeners predict which plants can survive future climate conditions and move away from thirsty English classics toward drought-resistant plants. The Garden Climate Assessment Tool (GCAT), developed by the Future National Gardens Group (FNGG), is a free risk-assessment tool that evaluates how a plant could tolerate the projected climate of a user’s chosen location.

As gardeners around the UK are forced to adapt their growing habits to a rapidly changing climate, a coalition of leading UK horticultural organisations is developing the tool. The FNGG comprises horticultural, heritage and landscape organisations including the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the National Trust, English Heritage and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

“In the 20th century, we could pretty much grow the same things with confidence, we could learn from previous generations,” said Prof Sam Brockington, a curator at Cambridge University Botanic Garden. “But now we’re moving into climate scenarios that we just don’t have the traditions to understand fully.”

What the Garden Climate Assessment Tool Does

Gardeners will be able to feed in a list of plants into the tool, which will take into account a number of factors including annual average temperature, natural distribution, winter cold and climate dryness. The tool then evaluates how each plant could tolerate the projected climate of the user’s chosen location.

This means gardeners can make informed decisions about what to plant, rather than relying on tradition or trial and error. The assessment is designed to be free and accessible, helping both amateur and professional gardeners adapt to changing conditions.

On Monday, professional gardeners were invited to trial and provide feedback on the tool. A timeline for its release is uncertain, but the RHS’s director of science, Alistair Griffiths, said the long-term hope is to make it widely available.

Why UK Gardeners Need to Adapt

The UK climate is changing, with hotter, drier summers and milder, wetter winters becoming more common. Traditional English garden favourites, such as roses and lupins, may struggle in these conditions without extra watering and care.

Drought-resistant plants, on the other hand, are better equipped to survive with less water. These include plants from Mediterranean climates, such as lavender, rosemary and olive trees, as well as native plants adapted to dry conditions.

“We’re moving into climate scenarios that we just don’t have the traditions to understand fully,” Brockington said. This highlights the need for tools like GCAT to help gardeners navigate unfamiliar territory.

Key Features of the Garden Climate Assessment Tool

• Free risk-assessment tool for gardeners
• Evaluates plant tolerance to projected climate conditions
• Considers factors like annual average temperature, natural distribution, winter cold and climate dryness
• Developed by a coalition of leading UK horticultural organisations
• Currently in trial phase with professional gardeners
• Long-term goal to make it widely available to all gardeners

How Gardeners Can Prepare Now

While the tool is not yet released, gardeners can start adapting by choosing drought-resistant plants and improving soil health. Adding organic matter to soil helps it retain moisture, reducing the need for watering.

Mulching around plants also helps conserve water and suppress weeds. Collecting rainwater and using efficient irrigation methods can further reduce water use.

Gardeners can also look to plants from regions with similar climates to the projected future climate of their area. For example, plants from the Mediterranean are often well-suited to hot, dry summers. The background to this story is set out in Climate Change Gardening: Why Non-Native Plants Are the Future. A related thread runs through Why Peat-Free Compost is Essential for Gardeners.

What to Watch Next

The trial with professional gardeners will provide valuable feedback to refine the tool. Once released, GCAT could become an essential resource for gardeners across the UK. Earlier coverage in Gardeners' World Needs a Realistic Makeover for Modern Gardens shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Gardeners' World Reboot: Why Real British Gardens Need Honesty.

As climate change continues to impact gardens, tools like this will help gardeners make informed choices and maintain beautiful, resilient gardens. The collaboration between major horticultural organisations signals a united effort to address the challenges ahead. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Urban Gardeners Transforming Communities: Green Space Impact.

For those dealing with dry conditions already, understanding UK soil moisture deficit can inform watering strategies. Also, consider drought-resistant tansy as a resilient addition to your garden. And if you’re rethinking your garden practices, peat-free gardening is another important step toward sustainability.

FAQ

What is the Garden Climate Assessment Tool?

The Garden Climate Assessment Tool (GCAT) is a free online tool being developed by the Future National Gardens Group. It helps gardeners evaluate how well a plant could tolerate the projected climate of their location.

Who is developing GCAT?

GCAT is developed by the Future National Gardens Group (FNGG), a coalition that includes the Royal Horticultural Society, the National Trust, English Heritage and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

When will GCAT be available?

A release timeline is uncertain, but professional gardeners were invited to trial the tool on Monday. The long-term hope is to make it widely available.

How can gardeners adapt to climate change now?

Gardeners can start by choosing drought-resistant plants, improving soil with organic matter, mulching, and collecting rainwater. Tools like GCAT will help make informed choices once available.

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