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)
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Bagatelle'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Concorde'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Dart's Red Lady'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Pink Queen'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Red Chief'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Red Pillar'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Rosy Rocket'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis valdiviana
Valdivia barberry
Berberis verruculosa
Warty barberry
Berberis vulgaris
Common barberry
Berberis wilsoniae
Mrs Wilson's barberry
Berberis x carminea 'Pirate King'
Hybrid barberry
Berberis x frikartii 'Telstar'
Frikart's barberry
Berberis x lologensis
Lologensis barberry
Berberis x lologensis
Lologensis barberry
Berberis x lologensis 'Apricot Queen'
Lologensis barberry
Berberis x lologensis 'Stapehill'
Lologensis barberry
Berberis x ottawensis f. purpurea 'Silver Miles'
Ottawa barberry, Hybrid barberry
Berberis x ottawensis f. purpurea 'Superba'
Ottawa hybrid barberry, Hybrid barberry
Berberis x stenophylla
Rosemary barberry
Berberis x stenophylla 'Claret Cascade'
Rosemary barberry
Berberis x stenophylla 'Corallina Compacta'
Rosemary barberry
Berberis x stenophylla 'Etna'
Rosemary barberry
Berberis x stenophylla 'Irwinii'
Irwins rosemary barberry, Rosemary barberry
Bergenia 'Abendglocken'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Admiral'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Apple Blossom'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Autumn Magic'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Ballawley' clonal
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Beethoven'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Bizet'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Bressingham Bountiful'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Bressingham Salmon'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Britten'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Claire Maxine'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Dark Damsel'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Eden's Magic Giant'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Eric Smith'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Eroica'
Elephant ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Morgenrote'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Overture'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Pink Dragonfly'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Red Beauty'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Rosenkristall'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Rosi Klose'
Elephant's ears, Megasea, Pigsqueak
Bergenia 'Schneekissen'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Silberlicht'
Pigsqueak, Megasea