Exploring London’s Future Biome Through Climate-Resilient Planting at Church Path

Church Path’s planting design is organised into four primary planting palettes – American Prairies, Mediterranean Basin, Caucasus Mountains, and Central Asian Foothills – and foregrounds plant species that can withstand challenging environmental conditions while supporting pollinators and birds.

Although geographically diverse, what the different plant palettes have in common is that they come from regions around the world that experience frequent drought, heat, and sporadic flooding; all of which London is likely to experience more of in the years to come.

While each planting block is distinct, all share the same core attributes:

• Tolerance to both dry and wet conditions

• Tolerance to heat and cold

• High biodiversity value

• Low maintenance once established

• Plants available from UK based nurseries

• Well suited to spatial constraints of rain gardens

American Prairies

North America's grasslands are in the middle of the continent where there is insufficient rain to support forests but too much to be a desert. Deep rooted grasses and vibrant perennials thrive under the same climatic shifts London is beginning to experience – hotter summers, heavier rain, and unpredictable seasons.

1. Cutleaved coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) in bloom. Photo: Selvia Diwanty

On Church Path, layered grasses and flowering perennials recreate the structure of the prairies, providing insects and wildlife with shelter, nesting habitat, and food through the seasons. This palette begins on Church Road and ends on the South side of Brownlow.

2. Little bluestem (front), smooth asters (back left), switch grass (back middle), lead plant (middle), palm sedge (around drain). Photo: Selvia Diwanty

Grass species found in the prairies section of Church Path include grasses Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Switch grass (Panicum virgatum), Indian steel (Sorghastrum nutans), and Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis). Staple flowering perennials include a diversity of coneflowers (Rudbeckia laciniata, Rudbeckia fulgida deamii, Echinacea purpurea), Cup plants (Silphium perfoliatum), bergamot (Monarda didyma), and smooth asters (Symphyotrichum laeve). Shrub species include lead plants (Amorpha canescens), and virginia sweet spire (Itea virginica).

American prairie plants are naturally drought tolerant as they evolved in an environment with hot summers, infrequent rainfall, strong winds, and seasonal fires. Plants from this typically have deep root systems, allowing them to access water well below the soil’s surface.

As the planting matures and the roots establish, the planting should become increasingly self-sustaining, with dense vegetation that suppresses weeds, improves water infiltration, and creates a more stable habitat for pollinators and wildlife. 

Mediterranean Basin

3. Cotton-lavender (left), green fennel (right). Photo: Selvia Diwanty

The mediterranean region experiences long, dry summers and increasing demands on water resources, which effectively results in a shrunken supply of groundwater and a rise in saltwater intrusion. Species that are native to this region are able to withstand these conditions through their often small, waxy or silvery leaves, extensive root systems and seasonal growth characteristics that allow them to thrive with minimal rainfall.

Mediterranean style planting is beneficial to pollinators as many species are rich in nectar and flower over long periods.

On Church Path the palette is located begins South of Brownlow Rd and ends between Beveridge and Leopold roads. Planting consists of flowering perennials, grasses, and select shrubs that are well suited to the raingarden context. Grasses include blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens), golden oats (Stipa gigantea), blue fescue (Festuca glauca). Some of the perennials found throughout include Jerusalem sage (Phlomoides tuberosa 'Amazone'), artemesia (Absinthium), rose of Sharon (Hypericum calcynium), lavender-cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus). Shrubs include azores spurge (Euphorbia stygiana) and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus).

Over time, the evergreen structure, aromatic herbs, and layered grasses will develop extensive root systems, conserve water, and support biodiversity through prolonged periods of draught and heavy rain.

4. Azores spurge (left), rosemary (right). Photo: Selvia Diwanty

Caucasus Mountains

Situated in between the Black and Caspian Seas, comprising parts of Southern Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The region is home to a variety of microclimates with an emphasis on shade, shelter, and biodiversity. This plant palette demonstrates how London landscapes can remain lush and abundant in the face of unpredictable weather.

5. Himalayan indigo shrub (left), needle grass (middle), lamb's ear (front right). Photo: Selvia Diwanty

On Church Path, this palette begins North of Leopold Road and ends on Redfern Road. The plants chosen are inspired by the Caucasian meadows, with layered grasses, shrubs and flowering perennials in this palette provide a rich succession of blooms, shelter and seed for pollinators, birds and other urban wildlife.

Grasses found in this palette on Church Path include reed grass (Calamagrostis arundinacea), and feather grass (Stipa pennata). Perennials include lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina), star of persia (Allium christophii), and milky bellflower (Astrantia lactiflora).

The plants in this palette have built resilience through exposure to extreme mountain environments, where wet springs, hot/dry summers, cold winters, thin soils, and rapid drainage are the norm.

6. Giant fleabane (yellow flowers), reed grass (front). Photo: Selvia Diwanty

As the planting matures, the structure will evolve and grow in complexity, creating dense layers of vegetation that slow rainfall, protect soils, and support a range of wildlife. 

Central Asian Foothills

The Central Asian Foothills is an ecoregion which stretches through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and consists of steppe grasslands, savannas and shrublands. Plants in this region have evolved to survive prolonged drought, intense sunlight, and poor, free draining soil.

7. Bistorta (left), daylillies (right). Photo: Selvia Diwanty

On Church Path, the palette is concentrated around the Fortunegate Rd intersection. At this stage, the planting consists of flowering perennials and layered grasses that provide a succession of nectar-rich flowers, seeds, and shelter that support birds and pollinators. Grass species include cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) and autumn moore grass (Sesleria autumnalis). Some of the flowering perennials include heart-leaved bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia), Himalayan bistorta (Bistorta affinis), daylillies (Hemorocallis), and rose campions (Silene coronaria).

8. Daylillies (front). Photo: Selvia Diwanty

As this palette establishes, deeply rooted grasses and resilient perennials will learn to capture sporadic rainfall and flourish despite periods of heat, drought and cold.

These projects are helping Brent test and learn which planting approaches are most effective, creating valuable lessons for future greening projects across the borough. To find out more visit Church Path, or contact silas@energygarden.org.uk.