Key plants for a climate change garden

This might seem like a daunting prospect, but the good news for gardeners is that there are steps we can take at a local level to help ease the effects of these big issues.

While we can use drought-tolerant plants to cope in raised temperatures, the long-term solution lies in reducing the heat. Some plants have been proven to actively improve the microclimate of a garden and surrounding buildings. For example, plants like jasmine, English ivy and viburnum are able to cool a building by between 7-14ºC. Plants can also trap pollution by absorbing particulate matter. Conifers have been found to be especially good at this due to their smaller leaf size and shape.

On top of this, the more ecologically resilient we can make our gardens with increased planting, the better they will serve us as places to relax, reduce stress and improve our mental well-being.

More plants for specific growing conditions:

• 21 plants for city gardens
• Best plants for balconies
• Ground cover plants for shade

Take a look at our pick of key plants for gardens in a changing climate.

For pollution

Box, Elaeagnus, spindle, beech, privet, bamboo, holly, Rosa rugosa, Viburnum, Camellia.

For flooding

Pine (such as Pinus mugo and Pinus sylvestris), blue spruce, fir, cedar and privet. Grasses, pinks and lawn grasses left a little longer.

For waterlogged soil

Forsythia, Spiraea, Eucalyptus, hydrangea, willow, blue fescue, lamb's ear.

For cooling walls

Fuchsia, jasmine, ivy, Virginia creeper, Russian vine, Viburnum.

For insulation

Ivy, cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Viburnum.

For filtering noise

Berberis, box, spindle, hebe (at pavement level), beech, Photinia, firethorn.

For contaminated soil

Box, Photinia, beech, spindle, hornbeam trees and hedges, laurel, firethorn.