Greening up our urban areas by planting trees, preferably indigenous varieties of trees, continues to be of prime importance in the battle against climate change. But, let’s face it, the vast majority of urban dwellers do not have a large enough garden to plant even a single tree, let alone a more cooling three or four.

It is wise, therefore, to keep in mind that planting trees is not the only way to fight changing weather patterns: there are other, less space demanding, options as well.

Basically, each and every single species of plant — large, medium and small — has a role to play in improving our environment and in mitigating the frightening effects of climate change which unfortunately are becoming more common here in Pakistan. Higher summer temperatures, longer droughts, shorter periods of often more intense rains leading to flooding are all increasingly common examples.

Not enough space to plant trees? Grow shrubs

With tree planting out of the question for many, let’s now take a look at sensible options for planting in your garden during this summer monsoon period.

Shrubs of all sizes, habits and temperaments are an excellent alternative to trees and many of them are equally at home in suitably large pots or other such containers. Some shrubs are ideal hedging material for defining and introducing privacy around garden boundaries. Others make ideal, eye-catching, focal points, and yet others can be ‘mixed and matched’ in the creation of ‘shrubberies’ in whose sheltered micro-climates countless other species of smaller plants can be grown.

Flowering shrubs are increasingly popular with the following species topping the ‘must-have’ list: Achania with its almost Hibiscus-like red flowers, Allamanda whose yellow trumpet flowers appear on and off around the year, Brunfelsia better known as ‘Yesterday, today and tomorrow’ and whose flowers change from purple to lilac to white, Cassia alta which bears candlesticks of sulphur yellow flowers, Cassia glauca also with yellow blooms, white-flowered Clerodendron, blue-flowered Duranta, Frangipani with its gorgeous perfume and flowers in many shades of white and pinks through to dark reds, Hamalia patens bears orange-red tubular flowers loved by sunbirds, Hibiscus in single and double forms with its well known flowers in a wide variety of colours, Jatropha with its pink or red blooms, tough Lantana in its many flowered hues, Murraya exotica with lovely perfumed white flowers, pale blue flowered plumbago, poinsettias for bright red winter cheer, the indispensable Cestrum nocturnum or Queen of the Night and the absolutely stunning Russelia with its graceful scarlet flowers that are so much loved by bees.

Shrubs for ornamental foliage: Acalypha — of which there are quite a few varieties — is especially colourful over the winter months; aralia in cool shades of green and cream is an easy to grow winner; fussy Crotons are awesome if they are happy in their provided home; multi-hued Eranthemums are another excellent bet; and the heart-shaped leaves of Panix can be located to picture-perfect effect as can the softly-hued, multi-coloured leaves of semi-shade loving Phlyanthus.

• Please remember that only pot/container-grown shrubs, preferably not currently in flower, should be transplanted into previously prepared ground during the summer monsoon season. Shrubs already growing in the ground should not be disturbed/transplanted until they are enjoying a brief respite in the winter months.

The above advice also relates to trees. Those of you lucky enough to have space to grow more trees, here are a few suggestions of species to be planted now; as always, the emphasis is on indigenous/climatically suitable ones: Melia azadiracta (Neem), Tamarinda indica (Imli), Moringa pterygosperma (Drumstick tree) or select from the many extremely resilient species of Acacia. Otherwise, opt for fruiting trees, such as Jamun or Loquat, over purely ornamental ones as fruit — even if only the birds get to enjoy it — is an essential ingredient for creating a balanced environment in which all life forms can both thrive and survive.

In the flower garden this month: Sow seeds of a good selection of antirrhinums — tall, medium and dwarf varieties — in an extensive range of colours to provide a long-lasting, floriferous show. Gazanias, gerberas, petunias, dianthus, salvia, cineraria, carnations, geraniums, dahlias, rudbeckia, phlox, scabosia and hollyhocks can all be sown now although seed trays/pots will need protection from heavy monsoon rains which could otherwise wash the seeds out of the soil/compost and off into oblivion. Freesia seed should also be sown this month, as well as dahlia, begonia and ranunculus tubers/corms planted.

Flower of the month: Scabosia or ‘pin cushion flowers’ are easy to grow, sun-loving annuals, bi-annuals or perennials depending on species. It’s found in dwarf, medium and tall varieties with attractive flowers in colours ranging from pure white, pinks, salmon, red shades, blues and lilacs to deep purple and almost black. Annual varieties can be had in bloom in as little as 10 weeks from sowing the seed, while perennials take much longer to attain flowering size and flowers tend to be larger too. Once established, it is fairly drought tolerant and not at all fussy about soil conditions as long as it is reasonably well-drained.

In the increasingly important vegetable department: There are lots of seeds to sow over the coming month such as onions, spring onions, cauliflower, broccoli, calabresse, lots of different types of winter cabbage, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, lettuce, radish ... and do sow black winter radish if possible, celery, leaf beet/Swiss chard, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale and many more.

In the herb patch/pots: Lovage, blue and white flowered borage, plus, borage with variegated leaves for show, chives, garlic chives, thyme, lots of peppery nasturtiums, Agastache of many varieties and flavours, calendulas, bergamot, echinacea, oregano, monardia and more

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. It is important to include your location. The writer does not respond directly by email. Emails with attachments will not be opened.

No commercial queries accepted.

Published in Dawn, EOS, August 6th, 2017