By Anders Lorenzen
As the end of February came to a close, parts of the UK experienced balmy temperatures in the high teens. While we should still be locked in winter, it prompted speculation whether this actually signalled the start of Spring.
Not only does the shorter winter season have a significant biodiversity impact and present clear evidence of rapid climate impacts, but it also means people gather in their gardens and public green spaces earlier and earlier.
That also means that it is well overdue to think about what you should be growing in your garden or community space this year.
Why climate-resilience
Following on from our focus on local biodiversity in our previous article, the natural next step is to look at local climate resilience, especially as climate impacts are rapidly escalating, and this will play a clear role in what we can grow today and in the future.
Considering climate resilience alongside biodiversity is a core climate adaptation strategy.
If you have a garden or access to a local park or community space, you can help create climate resilience zones through what you plant and how you look after them, and there are many cross-overs with biodiversity.
By growing native plants and embracing wild species often labelled as “weeds,” we support a range of climate resilience indicators and the web of life, including the soil beneath our feet.
Biodiversity and climate-resilience
More than ever before, there’s a growing case for ensuring that what you grow plays a positive role in local biodiversity, and you plan and make decisions with climate-resilience in mind.
If done right, our gardens can become refuges of resilience in the face of climate uncertainty, soil degradation, and declining wildlife.
The plants we list below is our extract of what a climate resilience growing space could look like, but there are many more, as well as other focuses that could be added to the list, all dependant on the objective and the environment, community and weather patterns.
Drought-tolerant and deep-rooted stabilisers
As summers become warmer and periods of low rainfall more frequent, plants capable of surviving dry conditions and stabilising soils will become increasingly valuable.
A combined variety including deep-rooted trees, herbs and perennials over annuals help improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and retain moisture in the ground, while continuing to provide habitats and food sources for wildlife.
Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)
Long-lived native tree with deep roots and exceptional biodiversity value.
Climate resilience: Deep root systems stabilise soil and improve drought tolerance once established.
Biodiversity role: Supports hundreds of insect species and dependent birds.
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Hardy and adaptable to poor, sandy or dry soils; increasingly relevant in warming summers.
Climate resilience: Highly tolerant of drought, wind and nutrient-poor soils.
Biodiversity role: Provides year-round shelter and seed for wildlife.
Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
Tolerates drought, wind and compacted urban soils.
Climate resilience: Well suited to heat-prone streets and exposed sites.
Biodiversity role: Spring blossom and autumn berries support pollinators and birds.
Woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa)
Drought-resistant perennial with a long flowering season.
Climate resilience: Thrives in dry soils with minimal irrigation.
Biodiversity role: Strong pollinator plant, particularly for bees.
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Deep taproots improve soil structure; thrives in dry, low-fertility soils.
Climate resilience: Enhances soil aeration and withstands prolonged dry periods.
Biodiversity role: Attracts predatory insects and beneficial pollinators.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Evergreen perennial herb increasingly suited to milder UK winters.
Climate resilience: Highly drought tolerant and adapted to heat and poor soils.
Biodiversity role: Early-season nectar source for bees.
Flood-tolerant and water-buffering species
Climate change is not only bringing longer dry spells but also more intense rainfall events. Plants that tolerate waterlogged soils and fluctuating moisture levels can help absorb excess water and stabilise the ground in vulnerable areas. Many of these species thrive in marginal spaces such as damp corners, rain gardens and pond edges.
Black alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Nitrogen-fixing native tree that thrives in wet soils.
Climate resilience: Stabilises riverbanks and absorbs excess water in flood-prone areas.
Biodiversity role: Improves soil fertility and supports insects and birds.
Goat willow (Salix caprea)
Handles waterlogging and variable soils.
Climate resilience: Tolerant of wet conditions and fluctuating moisture levels.
Biodiversity role: One of the earliest pollen sources in spring.
Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus)
Ideal for rain gardens and attenuation zones.
Climate resilience: Suitable for waterlogged soils and natural drainage systems.
Biodiversity role: Supports wetland insects and pollinators.
Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
Tolerates both wet soils and dry spells.
Climate resilience: Adapted to fluctuating spring moisture patterns.
Biodiversity role: Provides habitat structure for invertebrates.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Native perennial suited to damp soils.
Climate resilience: Thrives in water-retentive ground and stabilises marginal areas.
Biodiversity role: Supports hoverflies, beetles and pollinating insects.
Heat-moderating canopy and urban resilience trees
Trees are one of our closest allies to help us cope with climate impacts. This is especially true in urban environments. They play an essential role in moderating temperatures in gardens, parks and urban environments. Their canopies provide shade, reduce heat build-up and help cool surrounding areas during increasingly hot summers. Selecting resilient tree species can therefore play an important role in climate adaptation for both people and wildlife.
Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata)
Urban-tolerant native tree with a dense canopy.
Climate resilience: Provides shade and reduces urban heat build-up.
Biodiversity role: Nectar-rich flowers support bees.
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
Tolerates pruning, clay soils and pollution.
Climate resilience: Adaptable to drought and compacted soils.
Biodiversity role: Provides nesting habitat and autumn seed.
Field maple (Acer campestre)
Compact native tree for hedgerows and towns.
Climate resilience: Heat and drought tolerant once established.
Biodiversity role: Supports insects and birdlife.
Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Non-native but increasingly used in climate-resilient planting.
Climate resilience: Highly tolerant of heat, drought and urban pollution.
Biodiversity role: Light canopy allows underplanting diversity.
Pollinator continuity and ecological buffering
A healthy ecosystem depends on plants that flower across different seasons, providing a continuous food source for insects and other wildlife. As climate change disrupts traditional flowering patterns and insect lifecycles, maintaining a diversity of pollinator-friendly species becomes even more important for ecological stability.
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
Very early blossom supporting insects in unstable springs.
Climate resilience: Hardy shrub tolerating poor soils and exposure.
Biodiversity role: Critical early nectar source.
Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Drought-resilient hedging species.
Climate resilience: Tolerates heat, wind and variable soils.
Biodiversity role: One of the UK’s most valuable wildlife shrubs.
Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare)
Thrives in dry, nutrient-poor soils.
Climate resilience: Adapted to drought and exposed sites.
Biodiversity role: Long flowering season for bees.
Field scabious (Knautia arvensis)
Extended nectar period and tolerant of lean soils.
Climate resilience: Performs well in dry, low-fertility ground.
Biodiversity role: Supports butterflies and bees.
Common ivy (Hedera helix)
Evergreen climber providing year-round structure.
Climate resilience: Tolerates shade, drought and urban conditions.
Biodiversity role: Late-season nectar source and winter shelter.
Soil regeneration and edible resilience
Climate resilience is not only about protecting landscapes but also about strengthening local food systems. Edible plants that improve soil fertility, prevent erosion or support pollinators can help create productive growing spaces that are both sustainable and ecologically beneficial.
Common hazel (Corylus avellana)
Food-producing native shrub suitable for coppicing.
Climate resilience: Stabilises soil and adapts to varied conditions.
Biodiversity role: Supports numerous insect species and provides early pollen.
Pea (Pisum sativum)
Compact legume suitable for small growing spaces.
Climate resilience: Fixes nitrogen naturally, improving soil fertility without synthetic inputs.
Biodiversity role: Flowers attract pollinators.
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)
Low-growing edible crop suitable for beds and containers.
Climate resilience: Ground cover reduces soil moisture loss and prevents erosion.
Biodiversity role: Early flowering supports pollinators.
Make your garden an ally
As the planet heats up, your garden or your nearest green space is more critical to help mitigate those impacts and act as a positive force.
If we choose to grow and protect species that support climate-resilience in concert with biodiversity and soil, we can turn every garden—balcony, allotment, verge, or window box—into part of a living network for change.
Anders Lorenzen is the founding Editor of A greener life, a greener world.
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Categories: biodiversity, climate change, communities, gardening, nature, sustainability