It's not a cheery topic, but climate change is a reality, and it affects which trees we should and shouldn't be planting in our gardens because – unlike the majority of plants – trees can live for many decades; in some instances, centuries. A new report by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew reveals that 50% of the 11,000 trees in its collection could be vulnerable by 2090. Much-loved species of oak, beech, and holly are at risk in predicted weather extremes, such as drought, and Kew recommends a focus on planting more resilient trees. Here we suggest 17 of the best for small or medium-sized gardens.
For flowers
In spring, the love tree (Cercis siliquastrum) – or Judas tree – is a mass of purple-pink flowers that feed bees. The heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in autumn, when the tree is hung with purple pods. Plant this slow-growing drought-tolerant Mediterranean gem in well-drained soil in sun or part shade. 'Bodnant' is a choice variety.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
The pink silk tree (Albizia julibrissin f. rosea) from the Transcaucasus and the Himalayas grows into a remarkable umbrella shape. The ferny leaves and powder-puff flowers that open in late summer inject an exotic feel. It is drought tolerant and thrives in well-drained soil in sheltered sun in a city or the milder half of the UK.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
Filling the air with one of the most delicious scents in the plant world, the mimosa (Acacia dealbata) is a joy in urban gardens and mild regions. This drought-tolerant Australian tree has ferny evergreen leaves and morphs into a cloud of yellow pom-pom flowers in February and March. Needs very well-drained neutral to acid soil in sheltered sun.
- Height after 10 years: 7 metres
For foliage
The spring shoots and leaves of the honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst' are a happy shade of yellow. The fern-like leaves turn green in summer and gold in autumn. A great alternative to Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' (which can suffer from dieback), plant this drought-resistant star in well-drained soil in sun.
Height after 10 years: 5 metres
The distinctive fan-shaped leaves of the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) blaze an incredible shade of golden yellow in autumn. This fabulous Chinese deciduous conifer is the oldest living tree species, predating the dinosaurs, and extremely tolerant of drought and pollution. Enjoy it in well-drained soil in sun.
- Height after 10 years: 6 metres
For bees
The Callery pear Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' easily earns its place, producing a cloud of white spring blossom that feeds bees and fiery autumn leaves, which remain on the branches until late in the season. This conical ornamental Asian pear is very tolerant of drought and pollution and performs best in well-drained soil in sun.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
The golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is fiercely drought tolerant and produces a big mophead of sun-yellow flowers that provide nectar in July and August. The leaves are pink tinted in spring and glow butterscotch before falling in autumn. 'Coral Sun' is a superb cultivar. Grow this Chinese beauty in well-drained soil in sun.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
For silver leaves
In the wild, the Russian olive or oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia) grows on sand dunes and in dry riverbeds, so it is well qualified to cope with drought. It is a small tree or large shrub with beautiful silvery deciduous foliage and small fragrant summer flowers. Grow in well-drained soil in sun. 'Quicksilver' is a good compact cultivar
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
While many gum trees grow at far too berserk a rate, the snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila) is more restrained, soaring and spreading slowly in well-drained acid to neutral soil in sheltered sun. It has attractive flaking grey, green, and ivory bark and aromatic grey-blue evergreen leaves; it is also hardy in most of the UK.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
For birds
The eastern thorn (Crataegus orientalis) has snowy bee-friendly blossom in May, then, in autumn, the downy leaves turn bronze and nutritious coral-red berries are taken by the birds. Native to Turkey, Greece, and Iran, this hardy spreading hawthorn likes well-drained soil in sun and laughs at drought and heat.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
The almond-scented bird cherry Prunus padus 'Le Thoureil' provides bees with racemes of nectar-rich white spring flowers and birds with black berries. More compact than the species, it has an upright shape and golden-copper autumn colour, and it tolerates waterlogging well. Grow in moist, well-drained soil in sheltered sun.
- Height after 10 years: 3 metres
For autumn colour
The red maple Acer rubrum 'October Glory' is one of the best trees for autumn colour, blazing vivid shades of scarlet and crimson, and it copes with damp soil and waterlogging. This North American maple is suitable for medium to large gardens, where it will produce the best leaf colour in acid soil in sheltered full sun.
- Height after 10 years: 6 metres
The plum-leaved thorn Crataegus x persimilis 'Prunifolia' is an excellent North American tree with broad, glossy green leaves that blush striking shades of red and orange in autumn. It also boasts May blossom that lures bees and crimson berries for the birds. Grow this very hardy tree is well-drained soil in sun or part shade.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
For damp soil
The downy birch (Betula pubescens) is tolerant of wet and waterlogged soils and grows into an elegant, slender tree with grey-white bark, catkins, and shimmering green leaves that glow gold in autumn and remain on the branches for a long time before falling. Grow this very hardy native tree in sun or part shade.
- Height after 10 years: 6 metres
The coral-bark willow Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' is a fabulous tree for waterside gardens and soil that is intermittently or perpetually damp. One of the best willows for winter colour, its bare young shoots blaze amber and red. Plant this fast-growing tree in sun or part shade and regularly prune or pollard to keep it small.
- Height after 10 years: 6 metres
For evergreen leaves
The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is a cracking evergreen, offering cinnamon-coloured bark, pink-white autumn flowers, and wonderfully weird red fruits. The latter are used to make a potent liqueur in Portugal. Plant this slow-growing drought-tolerant beauty in well-drained soil in sheltered sun. 'Marina' is an excellent cultivar.
- Height after 10 years: 4 metres
Growing in a striking cypress-like taper, the Rocky Mountain juniper Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket' injects the garden with Mediterranean structure. Drought tolerant, this columnar conifer thrives in well-drained soil in sun or part shade.
'Blue Arrow' is a great cultivar that is much smaller, reaching just 2.5 metres.
- Height after 10 years: 2 metres
