GardensDB - Gardens - The National Garden Scheme: Hotter Summe... [ ![logo](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Search... ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Home ](/) [ Gardens ](/gardens) [ Shows ](/shows) [ Studios ](/studios) Organisations [ Charity/Non-Profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) [ Education Institutions ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ People ](/people) [ Books ](/books) [ Events ](/events) [ Job Vacancies ](/jobs) [ Help ](/help) Light Dark System [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-national-garden-scheme-hotter-summers-cooler-colours) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ![logo](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB**.com ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) The National Garden Scheme: Hotter Summers, Cooler Colours ![The National Garden Scheme: Hotter Summers, Cooler Colours](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/gardens/the-national-garden-scheme-hotter-summers-cooler-colours/primary_image.webp?v=7db1c9b8-1ab3-4121-a2c6-6aaeae3e5571) Photo Credit: GardensDB [RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse 2025](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-flower-show-wentworth-woodhouse-2025) - Long Borders The National Garden Scheme: Hotter Summers, Cooler Colours ========================================================== Border 360 Photo Traditionally, when we imagine hot borders, we imagine hot colours and plants found in more arid or tropical environments. This doesn't need to be the case. We can still have the English country garden feel and colour palette that can cope with a changing climate and doesn't lose the romantic feel. This is what a visitor can expect to see. The garden shows how hot border planting can be achieved in an English country theme. Arts & Crafts gardens such as Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and Hidcote Manor serve as inspiration. The use of perennials, specifically salvias are in keeping with the traditional colour palette of the English country garden. This aesthetic is combined with the intention to withstand the changing climate and particularly hotter drier summers. Key features include topiary spheres, Taxus baccata (English yew) a more robust plant than Buxus and one that is a classic feature in larger Arts & Crafts gardens across the country. The driftwood pieces are a symbolic representation of the drying climate, an impactful, focal feature for the border. A small amount of visible soil in the planting scheme allows for a sense of breathability without compromising the overall design. Displayed At ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-flower-show-wentworth-woodhouse/logo.webp) [RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse 2025](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-flower-show-wentworth-woodhouse-2025) Awards ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/silver-medal/icon.webp) Silver Medal RHS 360° Photo Loading panorama... Unable to load panorama. Click and drag to look around. Scroll to zoom. Tap and drag to look around. Pinch to zoom. Gallery [ ![IMG_6933 blur](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/b5f0224c-d7f7-4dc9-95fd-2d48dc15ec84/conversions/IMG_6933-blur-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/b5f0224c-d7f7-4dc9-95fd-2d48dc15ec84/conversions/IMG_6933-blur-gallery.webp) [ ![National Garden Scheme - Drone](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/484056d3-107c-4b53-8c7a-56f8243bcc7a/conversions/National-Garden-Scheme---Drone-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/484056d3-107c-4b53-8c7a-56f8243bcc7a/conversions/National-Garden-Scheme---Drone-gallery.webp) [ ![IMG_6934](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/d23aee7b-f244-44a7-957a-3e08909f3fca/conversions/IMG_6934-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/d23aee7b-f244-44a7-957a-3e08909f3fca/conversions/IMG_6934-gallery.webp) [ ![IMG_6935](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9a957d9f-27ab-4bc7-aac1-484219212639/conversions/IMG_6935-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9a957d9f-27ab-4bc7-aac1-484219212639/conversions/IMG_6935-gallery.webp) [ ![IMG_6936](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/5f9e1499-a6fa-4229-85fd-c398d1dcd73e/conversions/IMG_6936-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/5f9e1499-a6fa-4229-85fd-c398d1dcd73e/conversions/IMG_6936-gallery.webp) [ ![IMG_6937](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/68304282-2c60-4ece-928b-b70e6fe13f95/conversions/IMG_6937-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/68304282-2c60-4ece-928b-b70e6fe13f95/conversions/IMG_6937-gallery.webp) [ ![IMG_6932](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/2d516879-4c69-428b-ae02-85fd649cc6a3/conversions/IMG_6932-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/2d516879-4c69-428b-ae02-85fd649cc6a3/conversions/IMG_6932-gallery.webp) [ ![The-National-Garden-Scheme-Hotter-Summers,-Cooler-Colours-1088x612](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/0c08b543-79b1-4094-9fc9-c84cf7f590b1/conversions/The-National-Garden-Scheme-Hotter-Summers,-Cooler-Colours-1088x612-gallery.webp) ](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/0c08b543-79b1-4094-9fc9-c84cf7f590b1/conversions/The-National-Garden-Scheme-Hotter-Summers,-Cooler-Colours-1088x612-gallery.webp) Designers [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/lydia-weston-foss/profile_photo.webp) Lydia Weston-Foss Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/lydia-weston-foss) Sponsor [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/charities/the-national-garden-scheme/logo.webp) The National Garden Scheme ](https://gardensdb.com/charities/the-national-garden-scheme) Advertisement: