Botanics warn of casualties after cold snap

PLANT experts have predicted there will be "major casualties" at the city's Botanic Garden owing to weeks of freezing weather.

South American species are expected to have been worst hit by the sub-zero temperatures, but the true extent of the damage will not be known until the spring.

Nursery supervisor Pete Brownless said: "Unfortunately, the Botanics are exactly like everyone else – we'll have costly heating bills and damaged paving thanks to the weather, but we'll also have lots of dead plants."

Mr Brownless and his team are hoping for a warm summer to allow many plants a good chance of recovery.

Although those plants accustomed to some of the world's hottest climates are expected to have suffered the most in recent weeks, many evergreens are also displaying uncharacteristic brown colourings.

Mr Brownless said: "It's too early to say exactly what will happen – the picture is very uncertain. It's fair to say there will be major casualties though."