This week, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Flood Re in partnership with Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade are unveiling the pioneering Flood Resilient Garden.
Created by Flood Re, a joint initiative between the government and the insurance industry and the first of its kind to be exhibited at the show, the garden showcases features designed to improve the flood resilience of homes across the UK, highlighting how innovative water management techniques and a carefully curated selection of plants can help gardens thrive in wet conditions.
Leading weather and climate change expert Laura Tobin was on hand to discuss the garden’s role in mitigating flood risks.
Devastating consequences of floods
The garden shows how people can protect their gardens and homes against extreme weather as new research shows that 5.4 million (one in eight) UK adults with gardens have experienced the devastating effect of flooding on their green spaces.
With one in four homes in the UK at risk of flooding – not just on the coast and rivers, but also in urban areas – this project highlights the urgent need for flood resilience.
The Flood Resilient Garden aims to educate homeowners about the critical role their garden can play in flood protection.
Beautiful gardens that protect themselves
This year’s Chelsea Flower Show aims to raise awareness of the increasing risk of flooding to UK homes by deliberately flooding to demonstrate how the garden adapts to changing water levels, giving visitors a live demonstration of flood resilience in action.
Andy Bords chief executive of Flood Re, said: “There has never been a more important time to raise the debate about flood risk and the valuable role our gardens can play in mitigating these risks.
“We are so proud to have worked with Naomi and Dr Barsley to build a garden that perfectly demonstrates how homeowners can harness their love of gardening to create beautiful gardens that protect against the effects of flooding.”
Research by Flood Re revealed in London alone that people are wasting close to £500,000 on their gardens due to a lack of understanding of flood risk. Despite spending an average of £402 on their gardens in the past year, only 1 in 10 Londoners are aware that they live in a high risk area for flooding, underscoring the importance of initiatives such as the Flood Resilient Garden.
Build back better with Flood Re
Flooding can destroy homes and cause emotional distress, high costs and psychological stress on families. Build Back Better offers up to £10,000 for measures to resist the flooding of properties during repairs, making homes better prepared for future flooding and ensuring quicker and safer clean-up.
For more information and success stories, visit www.floodre.co.uk
