🌿 TL;DR
The recent storms have caused widespread damage across Plymouth and the South West, with heavy rain and strong winds battering gardens. In this post, we share our top tips for protecting your garden against future storms, explain how to make your garden more climate-resilient, and highlight how Waterlillie Clark has been helping homeowners recover with expert storm damage clearance, fencing repairs, and replanting.
When the weather turns wild
It’s been a brutal week for gardens across Plymouth and surrounding areas. Gale-force winds and relentless rain have left behind snapped fences, waterlogged lawns, uprooted plants and debris-strewn driveways.
At Waterlillie Clark, we’ve spent the past few days helping local homeowners recover, clearing fallen branches and shrubs, repairing broken fences, restoring damaged planting beds and removing hazardous debris from paths and patios.
As Luke Foster, Managing Director at Waterlillie Clark, explains:
We’ve seen a real increase in storm-related garden damage over the past couple of years. The key is not just to clear up after the fact, but to plan ahead, choosing robust planting, maintaining strong boundaries, and ensuring good drainage. A well-prepared garden can withstand far more than most people realise.
How to prepare your garden for the next storm
While no one can control the weather, there’s a lot you can do to minimise the risk of damage. Our team has put together a few practical, expert-backed steps:
1. Secure Fences and Structures
Check fence posts, panels and gates regularly. Replace any weakened posts or panels before winter sets in. Consider using heavier-duty posts or concrete supports in wind-prone areas.
2. Choose Wind-Resilient Planting
Opt for plants with flexible stems and strong root systems. In exposed gardens, use hedging such as griselinia or elaeagnus as natural windbreaks instead of solid fencing that can act like a sail.
3. Keep Trees Professionally Maintained
Overgrown or poorly pruned trees are particularly vulnerable in high winds. Have them assessed by a professional to reduce canopy weight and prevent breakage.
4. Improve Garden Drainage
After weeks of rain, saturated ground can lead to root rot and waterlogging. Installing gravel channels, raised beds, or French drains can help excess water run off safely.
5. Protect Pots and Loose Items
Move garden furniture, planters, bins, and ornaments into sheltered areas before a storm hits. Lightweight pots can easily blow over and damage plants or glazing.
Helping Plymouth gardens recover
This week, our teams have been out across Plymouth, Plymstock, Ivybridge and Saltash, helping clients get their gardens back to normal.
We’ve carried out:
- Fallen branch and shrub clearance
- Fence and gate repairs
- Driveway and path debris removal
- Replanting damaged borders and raised beds
- Lawn restoration and drainage improvement
We understand how distressing garden damage can be, especially for homeowners who’ve spent years nurturing their outdoor spaces. Our goal is to make the recovery process as smooth and efficient as possible, restoring safety and beauty with minimal disruption.
Building climate-resilient gardens
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent across the South West. High winds, prolonged rain and flash flooding are now part of the seasonal cycle.
Garden design and maintenance are evolving in response. At Waterlillie Clark, we’re helping clients adapt by:
- Selecting hardier, weather-tolerant plant species
- Designing raised beds and permeable surfaces for better drainage
- Installing natural windbreaks and layered planting
- Scheduling regular seasonal checks to catch issues early
These steps don’t just help during storms, they make gardens easier to manage, more sustainable, and more enjoyable all year round.
Need help after the storm?
If your garden has suffered damage this week, or if you want to make sure you’re ready for the next storm, our team is here to help.
Contact Waterlillie Clark today for:
- Storm damage clearance
- Fence and structure repairs
- Garden restoration and replanting
- Preventative maintenance and resilience planning
We’ll visit, assess the damage, and provide clear advice on what’s needed to get your garden thriving again.
📞 01752 312111
📧 office@waterlillieclark.co.uk
🌐 waterlillieclark.co.uk/contact