Learning to understand the changing weather patterns, and in particular what the increasing amplitude of the jet stream means, is key in our perennial plant choices, trying to find plants that can handle the drastic temperature swings. It also makes us plan water systems - we already live in a mediterranean climate on Southern Vancouver Island due to the rain shadow effect of the Olympic Mountains... thus we get drought 3-4 months, and this is becoming exaggerated due to the massive heat waves that are becoming coupled these drought periods. We are finding that mediterranean plants, as well as plants that are found in elevated mountains of the warmer climes are fitting the changing trend. These are plants that handle wet winters, and low temperatures, but thrive in hotter more drought periods in summer.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 13:55:49 +0000