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What London gardens may need to change by 2040

Mild winters and drier summers are already reshaping what performs reliably in the capital.

Garden Forward editorial team · Published 2026-04-18 · Updated 2026-06-01 · London, United Kingdom

A timber deck with cushioned outdoor sofa, hanging chair and potted flowers beside a lawn
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London's urban heat island means city gardens already run warmer than the surrounding region, and projections point to longer summer dry spells.

That does not mean replacing everything. It means shifting the balance: more deep-rooted and silver-leaved planting, more shade from established trees, and far better soil.

Long-range projections are ranges, not forecasts. Treat them as a direction of travel and make changes that also pay off in today's climate.

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Editorial content. Narrative may be assisted by Noah, but plant traits, native status, safety information, climate figures and suitability scores are locked factual fields that Noah cannot alter.