Coastal / seaside gardens
Strong winds, salty air and difficult soil (clay, chalky, sandy or acidic) can make coastal gardening a challenge. But there are things which you can do to help. Most importantly create a windbreak to filter the wind. The best windbreaks "filter" the wind rather than blocking it completely. You can of course use man-made structures such as a fence but equally a living windbreak works well. If your garden gets the wind straight off the coast you will ideally need a fence (60% solid, 40% open). Next a living windbreak comprised of a hedge or dense groupings of tough trees or large shrubs. You can have a further living windbreak of smaller trees or shrubs. Within this protective border you can add plants that cope with your soil type and be protected from the worst of the coastal environment. ; Top tip: Reduce wind rock by staking new plants really well, in particular trees, shrubs and some perennials, to protect them from the wind as they get established and their roots a chance to develop. Also prune appropriately and at the right times of year, to reduce wind rock.
Best coastal & seaside plants
18 plants
Coastal garden - acidic soil
4232 plants
Coastal garden - chalky soil
3169 plants
Coastal garden - clay soil
1447 plants
Coastal garden - sandy soil
1466 plants
All plants (4733)
Perovskia Lacey Blue = 'Lisslitt'
Russian sage
Persicaria
Knotweed
Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'
Snakeweed, Mad dog skullcap, Adderwort, Red legs, Bistort, Snake root
Phalaris
Canary grass
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta 'Feesey'
Gardener's garters, Reed canary grass, Ribbon grass
Phlomis russeliana
Russell's phlomis, Greek Jerusalem sage, Sticky Jerusalem sage
Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Border phlox, Perennial phlox, Summer phlox, Autumn phlox, Fall phlox
Phlox paniculata
Border phlox, Perennial phlox, Summer phlox, Autumn phlox, Fall phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise'
Border phlox, Summer phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Harlequin'
Border phlox, Summer phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Laura'
Border phlox, Perennial phlox, Summer phlox, Autumn phlox, Fall phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Miss Pepper'
Border phlox, Summer phlox
Phlox paniculata Purple Eye Flame = 'Barthirtythree'
Border phlox, Summer phlox
Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink
Phlox subulata 'Tamaongalei'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink
Phlox x arendsii 'Miss Mary'
Hybrid phlox
Phoenix canariensis
Canary Island date palm, Canary date palm
Phormium
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Bronze Baby'
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Evening Glow'
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Jester'
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Maori Queen'
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Platt's Black'
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Sundowner'
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium 'Yellow Wave'
Flax lily, New Zealand flax
Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri 'Cream Delight'
Mountain flax, Whariki
Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri 'Tricolor'
Mountain flax, Whariki
Phygelius
Figwort
Phygelius x rectus 'Devil's Tears'
Figwort
Phygelius x rectus Somerford Funfair Wine = 'Yapwin'
Figwort, Hybrid figwort
Pinus mugo Pumilio Group
Dwarf mountain pine, European scrub pine, Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pittosporum
Parchment bark
Pittosporum 'Garnettii'
Parchment bark
Pittosporum tenuifolium
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Abbotsbury Gold'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Gold Star'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Margaret Turnbull'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tandara Gold'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tobira 'Nanum'
Dwarf Japanese mock orange, Japanese mock orange, Tobira, Japanese pittosporum, Australian laurel
Pittosporum tobira 'Variegatum'
Japanese mock orange, Tobira, Japanese pittosporum, Australian laurel
Potentilla
Cinquefoil, Five finger
Potentilla fruticosa
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil