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)
Hedera helix
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Buttercup'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Cavendishii'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Clotted Cream'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Green Ripple'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Ivalace'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Parsley Crested'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Tricolor'
Common ivy, English ivy
Helianthemum 'Ben Fhada'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Ben Hope'
Common sun rose, Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Cerise Queen'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Highdown Apricot'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Mrs C.W. Earle'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Old Gold'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Red Dragon'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Sudbury Gem'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Wisley Primrose'
Rock rose
Helianthemum nummularium
Common sun rose, Rock rose
Helianthus annuus 'Valentine'
Common sunflower, Annual sunflower, Marigold of Peru
Helianthus annuus 'Velvet Queen'
Common sunflower, Annual sunflower, Marigold of Peru
Helichrysum 'Schwefellicht'
Straw flower
Helichrysum italicum
Curry plant
Helichrysum italicum 'Korma'
Curry plant, Korma curry plant
Helichrysum petiolare
Liquorice plant
Helichrysum petiolare 'Limelight'
Liquorice plant
Helichrysum petiolare 'Roundabout'
Liquorice plant
Helictotrichon sempervirens
Oatgrass, Blue oat grass, Avena grass
Hemerocallis 'American Revolution'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Anzac'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Arctic Snow'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Aten'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Berlin Lemon'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Berlin Red'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Black Magic'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Bonanza'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Burning Daylight'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Buzz Bomb'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Canary Glow'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Cartwheels'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Catherine Woodbery'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Corky'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Frans Hals'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Gentle Shepherd'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Golden Chimes'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Jenny Wren'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Lark Song'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Lemon Bells'
Day lily