A letter writer argues that England's approach to planting must evolve with its changing climate. Richard Eltringham, from Leicester, responds to a recent report on drought, suggesting that the 'native-plants-only doctrine' is no longer viable.
Pre-industrial flora in a post-industrial climate
Eltringham contends that we are trying to preserve a pre-industrial flora in a post-industrial climate. He observes that oak saplings are crisping, beech woods are browning, and rewilded meadows are turning into tinderboxes during heatwaves.
He points out that drought-tolerant non-native plants, such as Mediterranean shrubs, prairie perennials, and desert grasses, are ready to fulfill essential roles: holding soil, feeding pollinators, and staying green and alive.
Adaptation over sentimentality
Eltringham calls this adaptation, not heresy. He argues that if the choice is between planting non-natives or watching landscapes die, the path is clear. He criticizes 'botanical nationalism' as sentimentality when ecosystems are collapsing.
He concludes that since England's climate has changed, the planting palette must change with it.
