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)
Dianthus Bright Eyes = 'Wp08 Amethyst'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus caryophyllus
Clove pink, Wild carnation, Border carnation, Gilly flower
Dianthus Cherry Daiquiri = 'Wp15Pie42'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus chinensis
Annual Chinese pink, Indian pink
Dianthus Coconut Sundae = 'Wp 05Yves'
Carnation
Dianthus Cosmopolitan = 'Wp15Pie43'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Dancing Queen = 'WP07 Verity'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus deltoides
Maiden pink
Dianthus Fizzy = 'Wp08Ver03'
Carnation
Dianthus Frilly = 'Wp08 Ulr03'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Iced Gem = 'Wp06 Fatima'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus Lady in Red = 'Wp04 Xanthe'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Lady Madonna = 'Wp04 Opal'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus Lily The Pink = 'WP05 Idare'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Mendelsham Minx = 'Russmin'
Dwarf pink, Clove
Dianthus Mojito = 'Wp15Pie41'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Mother of Pearl = 'Wp10Ele04'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus Mystic Star = 'Wp 05 Saphire'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus Passion = 'WP Passion'
Carnation
Dianthus pavonius
Peacock pink
Dianthus Pink Fizz = 'Wp10Xav04'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Pop Star = 'Wp04 Esther'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus Romance = 'Wp09 Wen04'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Rosebud = 'Wp08Ros03'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus Shirley Temple = 'Wp15Pie44'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Dianthus Silver Star = 'Wp10Hel01'
Dwarf pink, Clove
Dianthus Slap 'n' Tickle = 'WP 05 Pp 22'
Carnation
Dianthus Starlight = 'Hilstar'
Pink, Clove
Dianthus Sunflor Paseo = 'Hillpas'
Pot carnation
Dianthus Tequila Sunrise = 'Wp15Pie45'
Carnation, Pink, Clove
Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot'
Mrs Barber's twinspur
Diascia barberae 'Ruby Field'
Mrs Barber's twinspur
Diascia vigilis
Watchful twinspur
Dierama dracomontanum
Drakensberg angel's fishing wand
Dierama dracomontanum x pulcherrimum
Hybrid wand flower, Drakensberg angel's fishing wand
Dioon edule
Cycad, Fern palm, Virgin's palm, Edible cycad
Dracaena reflexa 'Variegata'
Song of India
Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue'
Blue globe thistle
Echinops ritro
Steel globe thistle, Small globe thistle, Southern globethistle
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
Steel globe thistle, Small globe thistle, Southern globethistle
Echinops ritro subsp. ruthenicus
Steel globe thistle, Small globe thistle, Southern globethistle
Echinops sphaerocephalus 'Arctic Glow'
Steel globe thistle, Small globe thistle
Echium vulgare
Common viper's bugloss
Elaeagnus 'Quicksilver'
Oleaster
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Oleaster, Russian Olive, Wild olive, Silver berry
Elaeagnus commutata
Oleaster, Silver berry
Elaeagnus macrophylla
Oleaster, Broad leaved oleaster
Elaeagnus pungens 'Dicksonii'
Oleaster