Not only are plants decorative assets to our lives; they are also fundamental to our well-being. Plants benefit us in a myriad different ways, and in the following section we explore just a few of the practical reasons why we should all make a positive commitment to plant more plants.
Plants and the Environment
Without plants there could be no life on earth. Plants are at the beginning of most food chains and wildlife is very selective in its choice of plants to provide food, shelter and protection. But it is not only wildlife which benefits from the presence of plants. Humans too can be positively affected by the presence of plants. They provide shelter from winds; shade from UV light, sound barriers, dust-barriers, pollution mops and relief from stress. Research has demonstrated that plants can help us deal with the hazards of everyday life in many ways. Our list of plants has been selected to provide the widest possible range of benefits to both ourselves and the other living inhabitants of planet earth.
Plants for Wind Barriers
Plants have been proved to provide shelter by as far as thirty times their height downwind. By planting a natural windbreak you will create a permeable barrier that lets a degree of air movement pass through it. This feature reduces the damaging turbulence caused by solid windbreaks such as walls and fences. Strategically placed in beds across windows and by doors may also result in less energy being lost in the house, saving you money on bills. This is extremely useful as it is coming up for winter and the cold weather is already settling in and using these plants can prevent the cold weather from entering the house and warmth from inside the house escaping.
The most effective windbreaks are those planted in two ‘lines of defence’. The first line should consist of sturdy trees and will take the full impact of the wind and absorb about a third of its energy. The second line should be of smaller trees with plenty of branches -these absorb another third of the energy.
The first line of defence - large trees:
ACER pseudoplatanus
POPULUS tremula
FRAXINUS excelsior
QUERCUS ilex
PINUS nigra
QUERCUS robur
PINUS sylvestris
POPULUS alba
SALIX alba caerulea
The second line of defence – medium trees:
ALNUS cordata
LARIX decidua
AMELANCHIER lamarckii
LAUREL
BETULA pendula
RHODODENDRON ponticum
CORYLUS avellana
SALIX caprea
COTONEASTER lacteus
TAXUS baccata
CRATAEGUS monogyna
THUYA plicata ‘Atrovirens’
Plants for Wildlife (inc berries and fruit)
Plants that produce berries and fruit have an important place in every garden. Birds, mammals and beneficial insects use them as a food source. Many fruiting plants will give a wonderfully sumptuous display from September and October onwards. The following list of plants can help you create a wildlife haven in your own garden. Even by encouraging one single species of animal you will be surprised at the extra dimension of pleasure your garden will give.
Shrubs
BUDDLEJA
SAMBUCUS
HEBE
SYMPHORICARPOS
PYRACANTHA
SYRINGA
SALIX caprea