Here are some suggestions of small trees and drought tolerant plants for your garden to help Make Brentford Greener.
6 x Woodland Trust recommended small native trees to withstand climate change:
- Crab apple (Malus sylvestris) full sun and drought tolerant, supports birds and other wildlife
- Juniper (Juniperus communis) evergreen, makes a good nesting place for birds, grows well in full sun
- Osier willow (Salix vimimalis) fast growing, provides important source of nectar and pollen for pollinators
- Hazel (Corylus avellana) another fast grower producing hazelnuts in three to five years, valuable to a range of wildlife
- Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) prefers full sun, produces sloes in late summer and is a good support to birds and insects
- Silver birch (Betula pendula) very drought tolerant, able to withstand intense heat and attractive to a variety of small birds which feed on its seeds and the insects it hosts
6 x Drought-tolerant perennials to help support insects and other wildlife:
- Hardy geraniums (Cranesbills) long-flowering perennials that thrive
in full sun and can be cut right back to stimulate a second flowering - Catmint (Nepeta) loved by bees and flowers well on a free draining site
- Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) drought tolerant and will flower prolifically in a sheltered sunny spot
- Lavander (Lavendula angustifolia) highly scented free-flowering and attractive to beneficial insects
- Russian sage (Perovskia) enjoys full sun and well drained soil
producing masses of lavender flowers late into the year that bees and other insects love - Sea holly (Erygnium x zabelii) extremely drought resistant, attractive spiky silver-leaved plant
Air Quality Brentford 