Plants in exposed gardens are at the mercy of the elements. Strong winds in particular can cause fatal damage to them.
There is no need to despair if this sounds like your garden though, as there are ways around the problem. Essentially you have two options: add a shelterbelt or pick hardy plants.
Shelterbelts
These are also sometimes referred to as windbreaks. They are barriers that are designed to take some of the strength out of the wind.
Shelterbelts come in two types – artificial or living. The former is a screen that you fit facing the garden area where the winds are strongest, and it will have to be secured firmly in place with posts.
Living shelterbelts are rows of trees or shrubs that block off much of the strength of the wind. These are designed to look more natural and less obtrusive. A key thing to remember about shelterbelts is that they cannot be completely solid – like a wall – because that will lead to eddies, which are even more powerful and damaging. A living shelterbelt can be an attractive addition to your garden as well as protecting your plants and any rattan garden furniture you own.
Hardy plants
The second option is to pick plants that can withstand strong winds. There are plenty of these to choose from, including the likes of catmint, achillea and hardy geraniums. Berberis is another plant that copes well with wind, and it comes in a great many varieties, so you can select to suit your personal taste.
