Plants are a major weapon against pollution, both sound and airborne. A shelter belt of trees or a high hedge can deaden noise and filter wind carrying airborne dust and dirt. There is a wide range of shrubs, flowers and climbers suitable for sites exposed to urban pollution and difficult to screen, such as front gardens. It is worth making a tour of your neighbourhood to note what is thriving.
[caption id="attachment_1010" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Cotoneaster[/caption]
In areas of heavy pollution, deciduous plants which renew their leaves every year have a better chance of survival than evergreens. That said, box, bay, camellia, cotoneaster, holly, ligustrum and skimmia should be a safe bet. Fatsia japonica, known as the false castor oil plant, makes a splendid specimen bush. Some of the showiest perennials are unfazed by exhaust fumes: geranium, aquilegia, sedum and hemerocallis.
[caption id="attachment_1011" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Hemerocallis[/caption]
Cotoneaster[/caption]
In areas of heavy pollution, deciduous plants which renew their leaves every year have a better chance of survival than evergreens. That said, box, bay, camellia, cotoneaster, holly, ligustrum and skimmia should be a safe bet. Fatsia japonica, known as the false castor oil plant, makes a splendid specimen bush. Some of the showiest perennials are unfazed by exhaust fumes: geranium, aquilegia, sedum and hemerocallis.
[caption id="attachment_1011" align="aligncenter" width="570"]
Hemerocallis[/caption]
Bord Bia It’s Garden Time
With thanks to Bord Bia for this article. For more information on Bord Bia and for further gardening tips and advice, visit http://www.bordbia.ie/consumer/gardening/itsgardentime/pages/gardentips.aspx 
