Climate change can be a politically divisive subject. Irrespective of the causes of climate change, horticulturists in Britain and Ireland are undoubtedly seeing the effects of a changing climate in their gardens, arboreta and plant collections. More extreme weather events, rising global temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns are just some of the challenges facing botanic and public gardens. The PlantNetwork Climate Change Conference provides a platform to discuss some of the challenges facing gardens – and looks at opportunities that might also emerge.