Why a planter should be top of your Christmas list

If you’re stuck for gift ideas this Christmas, add a planter to your list and help protect the planet

Front garden paving is contributing to a range of environmental problems in London. It represents a huge loss of green space, contributing to raised local temperatures, flood risk, run-off pollution, overwhelmed sewers overflowing into rivers, a loss of nature, unattractive streets and an increased subsidence risk.

But by simply gifting a planter (or adding one to your list) this Christmas, you can help change that. Whether it’s a decorative planter for a keen gardener or a ready-planted pot for the novice, adding even a small amount of greenery to your garden can help soak up rain water and prevent it from running off polluted streets and into sewers. Trees, shrubs and flowers are also an enticing habitat for wildlife, not to mention an attractive addition to your home.

More options

You could also look into rain planters, which capture rainwater from the roof, helping prevent sewers being overwhelmed and manage flooding in your garden. They work by slowing down the flow of rainwater into drainage systems and are ideal for small gardens – in particular front gardens that have been paved over. Rain planters come in a range of designs, including water butt planters. Even water butts (providing they are emptied before heavy rainfall) can make a significant impact.

The more adventurous might like a green roof for the shed or bin store. Not only do green roofs capture and filter rainwater and reduce runoff into drains, but they have other benefits including improving air quality, boosting biodiversity and cooling temperatures. Plus, don’t forget that smaller gifts of window boxes or pots planted with herbs and flowers are an easy way to provide nectar for foraging insects and bees.

The power of front gardens

Greening front gardens is a simple but powerful tool to help nature and the planet. CPRE London wants every Londoner with a front garden to:

• de-pave and recreate a garden where possible, or add greenery, plant pots, rain planters and window boxes otherwise.
• park on green surfaces, if retaining front garden parking: ‘matrix paving’ just for the parking area allows rain to have direct contact with soil and supports a wide variety of interesting low-growing plants.
• make the rest of the garden low maintenance: flowering shrubs, perennials and small trees.

Find out more about rain planters and green roofs here and enjoy the festive season!