The Met Office says that April’s unusually sunny and dry weather conditions has led to a major shift in plant growth cycles – with some flowering earlier than expected
It turns out we’re not the only ones sunning ourselves under the unexpected hot weather – our plants are too.
The chief horticulturist from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has said that there are three flowers that will blossom sooner than expected this summer. Over the past few weeks, the UK has shattered climate records. The beginning of May was the hottest ever recorded, with one London location boasting 29.3C. Meanwhile, the period between March and April 2025 in England is also the sunniest on record.
The unprecedented tropical weather means that it has kicked plant growth cycles into early ignition. The Met Office has reported that gardeners will see certain plants and flowers blooming earlier than usual.
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Chief horticulturist from the RHS Guy Barter told the Met Office: “Some vegetables and flowers may arrive a little earlier than we usually expect – perhaps by a week or so – and this is reflected in all five RHS gardens where species like bearded iris, camassia, California lilac and ornamental hawthorns are already looking spectacular.”
Bearded irises, camassia and Californian lilacs are all popular flowers in British homes. They are bright, colourful and are able to withstand unpredictable weather conditions.
However, they all thrive under sunlight and warm conditions. This means that April’s record-breaking sunlight has caused these flowers to blossom earlier than normal.
Guy added: “While frost is still a possibility at this time of year (so keep your eyes on the forecasts, particularly when planting more tender crops), it is becoming less likely now and the next spring plants, such as the resplendent Wisteria, are less likely to be impacted. There are increasing clouds of purple in many of the RHS gardens thanks to the fabulous weather.”
The Met Office has predicted that hot spells will become a more frequent occurrence in the UK, particularly in the southeast of England. Temperatures are also expected to rise across all seasons, in alignment with human-induced climate change.
It’s not all good news for plants, though. The Met Office also recorded low rainfall across April – with regions receiving just 56% of the rain expected on average.
Rainfall allows for lower maintenance gardens, as you don’t need to worry about watering them as frequently. Plus, rain is often a better option for plants than mains water, as it typically has a lower pH.
If you’re worried about plants withstanding drier weather conditions over the summer, gardeners have been advised to sow more drought-tolerant flowers. Many of these species originate from drier regions, like central America.
Some options that can be planted in British gardens include summer snapdragons, blanket flowers and butterfly bushes. If you want to attract more cats to your garden, you can even try planting catmint.
