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)
Agapanthus 'Snow Crystal'
African Lily
Agapanthus 'Star Quality'
Blue African Lily
Agapanthus 'Stargazer'
Blue African Lily
Agapanthus 'Storm Cloud'
African lily, Love flowers
Agapanthus 'Strawberry Ice'
African Lily
Agapanthus 'Streamline'
African lily, Love flowers
Agapanthus 'Sweet Surprise'
African Lily
Agapanthus 'Sybil Harton'
African lily, Love flowers
Agapanthus 'Torbay'
African lily, Love flowers
Agapanthus 'Twister'
African Lily
Agapanthus 'White Ice'
African lily, Love flowers
Agapanthus 'White Pixie'
African Lily
Agapanthus 'Windlebrooke'
African lily, Love flowers
Agapanthus africanus
Blue African lily, Lily of the Nile, Cape agapanthus
Agapanthus campanulatus
Natal agapanthus
Agapanthus campanulatus subsp. patens
Natal agapanthus
Agapanthus campanulatus var. albidus
Natal agapanthus
Agapanthus caulescens subsp. angustifolius
Drooping stalked agapanthus
Agapanthus coddii
Coddi's agapanthus
Agapanthus Emerald Ice = 'DWAgHyb18'
African lily
Agapanthus Headbourne hybrids
African lily, Love flowers
Agapanthus inapertus subsp. hollandii
Holland's blue African lily, Closed agapanthus, Drooping agapanthus
Agapanthus praecox 'Alba'
Early blooming agapanthus, Agapanto, Early blooming blue African lily
Agapanthus praecox 'Maximus Albus'
Early blooming white flowered blue African lily
Agapanthus Queen Mum = 'Pmn06'
African Lily
Agapanthus Silver Moon = 'Notfred'
African lily, Love flowers
Ajuga 'Pink Lightning'
Bugle
Ajuga 'Sparkler'
Bugle
Ajuga incisa 'Bikun'
Japanese cut-leaf bugle
Ajuga reptans
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Blueberry Muffin'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Golden Glow'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Jungle Beauty'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Mahogany'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Multicolor'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Pink Elf'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans f. albiflora 'Alba'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans Party Colours = 'Binparcol'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Alchemilla erythropoda
Scalloped lady's mantle
Allium 'Lavender Bubbles'
Perennial allium
Alnus glutinosa
Common alder, European alder, Black alder
Alstroemeria 'Athena'
Peruvian lily, Lily of the Incas
Alstroemeria 'Bonanza'
Peruvian lily, Lily of the Incas
Alstroemeria 'Cahors'
Peruvian lily, Lily of the Incas