# Beloved British garden staple at risk of disappearing after driest summer in 100 years

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/beloved-british-garden-staple-at-risk-of-disappearing-after-driest-summer-in-100-years/
- Published: 2026-11-14T11:30:26+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T12:22:42+00:00
- Original publisher: GB News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.gbnews.com/news/rhododendrons-risk-driest-summer-warning
- Topics: UK, World

## Key points

- Drought threatens more than half of some South East rhododendron collections.
- Major gardens are planning hardier, less water-dependent planting.
- Conservation groups are also clearing invasive Rhododendron ponticum.

## Summary

England’s rhododendrons are under growing pressure after a summer of severe drought and temperatures reaching 38C. Horticulturists warn that more than half of collections in many South East gardens could die in the coming years, prompting major gardens to rethink traditional planting.

Rhododendrons evolved in cool, damp mountain habitats and have shallow roots that need regular moisture. Kew Gardens, High Beeches and Nymans are considering hardier plants, including fruit trees from parts of Asia and the Caucasus, while shifting towards lower-water, lower-intervention gardening. Drought conditions covered 71 per cent of England, and Ardingly Reservoir fell to 17.1 per cent of capacity; separately, conservation groups are removing invasive Rhododendron ponticum.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.