Encouraging the beauty and resilience of Canterbury with native Kent plants

This project plans to forecast the future of the 10,000 cities across the globe -- as though they have survived climate change and social discord and gone on to flourish anew. Today, we highlight the future of the English city of Canterbury.

The English county of Kent is home to a wide range of native plant species that have developed over thousands of years to suit the county’s soils, weather, and wildlife. These include wildflowers such as oxeye daisy, cowslip, foxglove, meadow cranesbill, yellow-rattle, and common knapweed, as well as wetland plants like water-plantain. Because these species are naturally suited to the local environment, they are ideal for use in Canterbury’s infrastructure. By incorporating native plants into streets, parks, riverbanks, and neglected urban spaces, the city can respond to climate change while improving biodiversity and making the urban landscape more attractive.

The Future of Canterbury -- Rewilded with Kent's Native Plants

Native plants are particularly effective at helping cities cope with climate change because they are resilient and low-maintenance. They usually require less watering and fewer chemicals than non-native ornamental plants, making them more sustainable during hotter, drier summers and periods of heavy rainfall. Many Kent wildflowers provide essential nectar and pollen for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, whose populations have declined sharply. Plants like common knapweed, foxglove, cowslip, and yellow-rattle flower at different times of year, ensuring pollinators have a reliable food supply throughout the growing season.

Introducing these native species into Canterbury’s urban spaces can also help restore animal biodiversity. Wildflower meadows along roadsides, green roofs on buildings, and planted roundabouts can act as small habitats that connect larger green areas. Birds benefit from the insects and seeds native plants support, while small mammals find shelter in taller grasses and hedgerows. Even small patches of native planting can play an important role in rebuilding ecosystems within the city and reducing the isolation of wildlife populations.

Native plants are also powerful tools for beautifying neglected or unattractive areas of Canterbury. Colourful wildflowers can replace dull lawns or bare ground, making public spaces more inviting and improving residents’ wellbeing. Along the River Stour, native riverbank and aquatic plants can stabilise soil, reduce erosion during floods, and filter pollutants from runoff before they enter the water. This helps clean the river while creating habitats for fish, insects, and birds, turning the river corridor into a valuable ecological and recreational feature.

In conclusion, planting species native to Kent throughout Canterbury’s infrastructure offers a practical and effective way to address environmental challenges. These plants support pollinators, encourage diverse wildlife, improve resilience to climate change, enhance the city’s appearance, and help protect local waterways. By working with nature rather than against it, Canterbury can become a greener, healthier, and more biodiverse city for both people and wildlife.