As the UK comes to grips with yet another heatwave and we collectively try to establish whether the local air conditioning installers accept Klarna, a recent visit to Île de Ré on France’s Atlantic coast prompted an interesting question for me. Are we designing landscapes for the climate we have today, or for the one we are likely to experience in the decades ahead?

It always strikes me how well the French adapt their planting and external spaces to work with the climate, rather than against it. Wide-canopied mulberry trees and umbrella pines provide welcome shade along streets and within public spaces and parks, creating comfortable environments for people during the hottest parts of the day. These, together with a palette of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs and perennials, have been carefully selected to thrive in Île de Ré’s sandy, free-draining soils with minimal irrigation, while continuing to provide seasonal colour, support biodiversity and create a distinctive sense of place.

As our climate changes, valuable lessons can be applied to landscape design in the UK. Native planting will always play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and reinforcing local character. However, in urban environments, there is also a case for carefully selecting climate-adapted, non-native species that are better able to withstand future conditions while continuing to provide shade, cooling, seasonal interest and acting as valuable resources for pollinators. The success of London plane trees is a good example. Although not native, they have become one of the UK’s most effective urban trees due to their resilience to pollution, drought and restricted rooting conditions. Similarly, drought-tolerant planting palettes can complement native species, helping to create attractive, resilient landscapes that require less irrigation and are better equipped to cope with future climatic conditions.

The landscapes of Île de Ré demonstrate that climate-responsive planting does not have to compromise character or biodiversity. Instead, they show the value of selecting the right plant for the right place, balancing ecological value with long-term resilience and the needs of the communities who use these spaces.

With our native tree species suffering just as much as we are in the heat, maybe it’s time to ditch the birch and rowan and take a more proactive approach to tree planting.

At Iceni, our Landscape team applies the same principles from concept through to detailed design, delivering landscape masterplans, planting strategies, Urban Greening Factor (UGF) assessments, sustainable drainage integration, landscape management and maintenance plans, and public realm design. Our aim is to create resilient, attractive landscapes that enhance biodiversity, improve urban cooling and continue to perform for generations to come.

If you would like to discuss your next project, please get in touch with:
jgeorge@iceniprojects.com
landscape@iceniprojects.com