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)
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'
Hinoki cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana'
Dwarf Hinoki cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Saffron Spray'
Hinoki cypress
Chamaerops humilis
Mediterranean fan palm, Chusan palm, Chinese windmill palm, Dwarf fan palm
Choisya ternata Moonshine = 'Walcho'
Mexican Orange Blossom
Choisya ternata Snow Flurries = 'Lisflurry'
Mexican Orange Blossom
Choisya x dewitteana 'Little Bee'
Choisya x dewitteana Goldfingers = 'Limo'
Mexican orange blossom, Golden Mexican orange blossom
Cistus 'Silver Ghost'
Rock rose
Cistus 'Snow Fire'
Rock rose, Sun rose
Cistus albidus
Rock rose, Sun rose, White leaved rock rose
Cistus creticus
Cretan rock rose
Cistus ladanifer
Cretan rock rose, Gum cistus
Cistus ladanifer 'Paladin'
Cretan rock rose, Gum cistus
Cistus laurifolius
Laurel leaved cistus, Laurel rock rose
Cistus libanotis
White Portuguese rock rose
Cistus monspeliensis
Montpellier rock rose
Cistus salviifolius 'May Snow'
Sage leaf rock rose
Cistus x aguilarii
Aguilarii hybrid rock rose
Cistus x argenteus 'Peggy Sammons'
Silvery hybrid rock rose
Cistus x crispatus 'Warley Rose'
Wavy leaved rock rose
Cistus x cyprius
Cyprus cistus
Cistus x cyprius var. ellipticus 'Elma'
Cyprus cistus
Cistus x dansereaui
Jaras, Portuguese rock rose
Cistus x dansereaui 'Decumbens'
Jaras, Portuguese rock rose
Cistus x dansereaui 'Jenkyn Place'
Jaras, Portuguese rock rose
Cistus x fernandesiae 'Anne Palmer'
Fernandez cistus
Cistus x heterocalyx 'Chelsea Bonnet'
Rock rose
Cistus x hybridus 'Gold Prize'
Hybrid rock rose, Jaras
Cistus x laxus 'Snow White'
Rock rose, Sun rose
Cistus x lenis 'Grayswood Pink'
Lenis rock rose
Cistus x obtusifolius 'Thrive'
Rock rose
Cistus x skanbergii
Skanberg's rock rose
Clematis alpina
Alpine clematis, Columbine
Clematis alpina 'Pamela Jackman'
Alpine clematis, Columbine
Clematis cirrhosa
Winter flowered evergreen clematis
Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica
Fern leaved clematis
Clematis Darcy™ = 'Evipo106'
Miniature patio clematis
Clematis montana 'Rubens Superba'
Mountain clematis
Clematis montana var. rubens 'Odorata'
Mountain clematis
Clematis montana var. rubens 'Pink Perfection'
Mountain clematis
Clematis montana var. wilsonii
Mountain clematis
Clethra alnifolia
Sweet pepper bush, Spiked alder
Clethra alnifolia 'Paniculata'
Sweet pepper bush, Spiked alder
Clethra alnifolia 'Rosea'
Sweet pepper bush, Spiked alder
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
Sweet pepper bush, Summersweet
Colutea arborescens
Bladder senna
Colutea x media 'Copper Beauty'
Hybrid bladder senna