Some thought provoking previsions (some longer term that others!) for changes that are likely to take place, even gradually, to gardens and parks across Europe and North America as global warming gathers momentum, were discussed at the symposium "Impacts of Climate Change on Horticulture in the USA. Plant growth will dramatically accelerate. Shrubs from roses to rhododendrons will grow larger and produce earlier and more abundant flowers. Autumn will become a new flowering season as gardens come to life after summer droughts. Winter flower beds are likely to be a riot of colour. As temperatures and carbon dioxide levels in the air both rise, gardens will remain in growth all year round and some winter cutting and pruning will be required. Gardeners will also face greater weed problems; while ornamental plants will grow up to 50 per cent faster, weeds are likely to grow even faster. Summer droughts will provide perfect conditions for aphids, mites and other pests and certain diseases currently confined to greenhouses will spread out to the garden. Some new pests will remain over winter. Warm, wet winters will increase problems with root fungi such as Phytophthora and warmer temperatures in general are likely to accelerate composting and the breaking down of organic materials in soils. The evaporation of moisture from soils will be faster. These indirect effects will have far more dramatic effects on the cultivation of plants than the temperature rise itself. Higher winter temperatures and lower summer rainfall will shift the grass cutting season from the current April to October to September through to June. Warmer winters may mean fruit crops never set and bulbs never develop roots. Garden ponds will clog with yet more algae as more nutrients are flushed from soils. Broadleaf trees that do not shed their leaves through the winter will be at greater risk of toppling in the expected winter storms and bees may exhaust themselves by staying active in winter thereby reducing their chances of survival into the following summer. The prediction looks forward over many years but such trends are already being felt.. "New Scientist" www.newscientist.com For further information contact: Claire Bowles, New Scientist Tel: 0044 20 7331 2751, Email: clair.bowles@rbi.co.uk