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)
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Woodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Wodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia nemorosa 'Sensation Blue'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Woodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia nemorosa Sensation Deep Rose = 'FlorSalRoz'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Woodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue'
Gentian sage, Blue sage
Salvia roemeriana 'Hot Trumpets'
Cedar sage
Salvia x jamensis 'Maraschino'
James' hybrid sage
Salvia x jamensis 'Raspberry Royale'
James' hybrid sage
Salvia x superba 'Merleau Blue'
Perennial sage
Sambucus
Elder, Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Common elder, Black elder, Bourtree, European elder
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace'
Black Elder, Common elder, European elder
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda'
Common elder, Black elder, Bourtree, European elder
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla Black Tower = 'Eiffel 1'
Black Elder, Common elder, European elder
Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold'
Red berried elder, Hart's elder, European red elder
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Ground cyprus, Cotton lavender, Lavender-cotton
Santolina rosmarinifolia 'Lemon Fizz'
Rosemary lavender cotton
Scabiosa
Pincushion flower, Scabious, Mourning bride
Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'
Pincushion flower, Scabious, Mourning bride
Scabiosa 'Pink Mist'
Scabious
Scabiosa columbaria 'Blue Note'
Small scabious
Sedum
Stonecrop
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Stonecrop
Sedum 'Mr Goodbud'
Mr Goodbud stonecrop
Sedum Herbstfreude Group
Stonecrop
Sedum spectabile Brilliant Group 'Brilliant'
Ice plant, O-benkei-so, Showy stonecrop
Sedum telephium 'Purple Emperor'
Orpine, Live forever, Midsummer men
Sorbus aucuparia 'Sheerwater Seedling'
Mountain ash
Spiraea
Spiraea 'Arguta'
Bridal veil, Foam of May, Bridewort, Bridal wreath spiraea
Spiraea 'Tracy'
Spiraea japonica 'Anthony Waterer'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea japonica 'Firelight'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea japonica 'Genpei'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea japonica Double Play Artisan = 'Galen'
Japanese spiraea
Spiraea japonica Golden Princess = 'Lisp'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea japonica Magic Carpet = 'Walbuma'
Japanese spiraea, Japanese meadowsweet
Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound'
Snowmound spiraea
Stachys byzantina
Lambs tongue, Lamb's tails, Woolly betony, Lambs ears, Woolly woundwort
Stachys macrantha 'Robusta'
Big betony, Big sage
Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
Mexican hair grass
Syringa
Lilac
Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'
Korean lilac, Meyer lilac
Tamarix ramosissima 'Pink Cascade'
Five stamen tamarix
Thymus vulgaris
Common thyme