{"id":2718,"date":"2019-05-14T09:46:15","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T08:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2718"},"modified":"2019-05-14T09:46:15","modified_gmt":"2019-05-14T08:46:15","slug":"reducing-air-pollution-exposure-through-greener-gardening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/newsandarticles\/reducing-air-pollution-exposure-through-greener-gardening\/","title":{"rendered":"Reducing air pollution exposure through greener gardening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For those of us who live in densely populated cities, air quality can be a growing concern. The concerns are certainly well-founded, a <\/span>London once again hit its air quality values for the whole year in a matter of just over two months<\/span><\/a> in 2019. Its air quality is so poor that a number of deaths are attributed to the problem every year in the UK. <\/span>
\nIf you live in a city then, you will want to take measures to ensure the air around you is as filtered as possible. There are a number of plants that can help you to do this. <\/span><\/p>\n

Colourful gerbera daisies <\/span><\/h2>\n

You can include a whole array of coloured on your quest to be greener! A recent study by NASA has provided a few colourful blooms for gardeners keen to clean the air. Gerbera daisies are bonny, beautiful blooms that come in many different colours; white, orange, red, pink \u2014 whichever you pick, they\u2019ll give your garden a splash of colour. These flowers love direct sunlight and a bit of space, so make sure not to leave them in a shady corner of your garden. <\/span>
\nThat\u2019s not all. NASA states that these wonderful flowers are also great for dealing with multiple air toxins, such as benzene. <\/span><\/p>\n

Filtering with conifers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Looking for a garden border option that will also help with air pollution? Hedges are great for combatting air pollution, and Homes & Property recommends conifers for the job. Specifically, the western red cedar hedge is named as an ideal conifer to plant in your garden. But if your garden is a little smaller, the publication also names the yew as a great alternative, citing its evergreen nature and easy trimming. <\/span><\/p>\n

Scaling up your green game with ivy<\/span><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s something so picturesque about ivy. A classic climbing plant, you might already have the <\/span>hedera helix <\/span><\/i>climbing up the walls of your house. Though it has a bad reputation in the States as being a weed, it can be a lovely addition to your garden if tended to. The plant offers benefits for wildlife and for the air \u2013 <\/span>Goldsmiths, University of London<\/span><\/a>, states that the wide leaves of the common ivy traps particulates, which makes it a great choice for purifying the air. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not a wallflower to be overlooked <\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>Erysimum<\/span><\/i>, more commonly known as the wallflower, is a colourful way to bring more air-filtering properties to your garden.<\/span> Goldsmiths also names this plant as being akin to the common ivy for its particulate-cleansing power. These flowers have a bright display of petals during the first half of the year. You can grow wallflowers in many colours, with purple and yellow popular choices. <\/span><\/p>\n

Greener methods <\/span><\/h2>\n

Keeping your garden green extends beyond the plants you pick. You have to consider how you are tending to your garden as well. <\/span>SmilingGardener<\/span><\/a> offers five great ways to reduce pollution in ways beyond planting shrubs and flowers: <\/span>
\n <\/p>\n