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)
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Zeal Tan'
Hybrid crocosmia
Crocosmia x crocosminoides 'Castle Ward Late'
Hybrid crocosmia
Cryptomeria japonica
Japanese red cedar, Japanese cedar, Sugi
Cryptomeria japonica
Japanese red cedar, Japanese cedar, Sugi
Cryptomeria japonica 'Bandai-sugi'
Japanese red cedar, Japanese cedar, Sugi
Cryptomeria japonica 'Globosa Nana'
Dwarf plumed Japanese red cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Lobbii'
Plumed Japanese red cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan-sugi'
Japanese red cedar, Japanese cedar, Sugi
Cryptomeria japonica 'Spiralis'
Spiral leaf Japanese red cedar
Cryptomeria japonica Elegans Group
Japanese red cedar, Japanese cedar, Sugi
Cupressus arizonica
Arizona cypress, Smooth cypress
Cupressus arizonica
Arizona cypress, Smooth cypress
Cupressus arizonica var. glabra
Arizona cypress, Smooth cypress
Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice'
Arizona cypress, Smooth cypress
Cupressus funebris
Mourning cypress, Chinese weeping cypress
Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest'
Golden monterey cypress, Monterey cypress
Cupressus sempervirens 'Green Pencil'
Italian cypress, Pencil pine
Cupressus sempervirens Stricta Group
Italian cypress, Pencil pine
Cupressus sempervirens subsp. sempervirens
Italian cypress, Pencil pine
Cycas media
Australian nut palm
Cycas revoluta
Japanese sago palm, Recurved cycad
Cyperus longus
Sweet rush, Galingale
Cytisus nigricans 'Cyni'
Black broom
Cytisus racemosus 'Phebus'
Pineapple broom
Cytisus scoparius
Common broom, Scotch broom, Broom
Cytisus scoparius 'Cornish Cream'
Common broom, Scotch broom, Broom
Cytisus x kewensis 'Niki'
Kew broom, Broom
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Bronzeschleier'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldschleier'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau'
Tussock grass, Hair grass, Tufted hair grass
Dianthus 'Adorables Mana'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Alan Titchmarsh'
Carnation, Pink, Clove, Flower of the Gods
Dianthus 'Annette'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Bailey's Celebration'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Claret Joy'
Carnation
Dianthus 'Coral Reef'
Carnation
Dianthus 'Corona Blueberry Magic'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Corona Cherry Magic'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Cranmere Pool'
Cottage pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Dainty Dame'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Devon Cream'
Carnation
Dianthus 'Devon Dove'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Devon General'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Devon Magic'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus 'Devon Wizard'
Carnation
Dianthus 'Devon Xera'
Pink, Clove