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)
Hibiscus syriacus Pink Giant = 'Flogi'
Rose of Sharon, Tree hollyhock
Hibiscus syriacus White Chiffon = 'Notwoodtwo'
Rose of Sharon, Tree hollyhock
Hieracium villosum
Shaggy hawkweed
Hippophae rhamnoides
Sea buckthorn, Cornish seaberry
Hosta 'Albomarginata'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Blue Danube'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Frosted Jade'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Ginko Craig'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Gold Standard'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Honeybells'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Kingfisher'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Krossa Regal'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Sharmon'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'So Sweet'
Plantain lily, Funkia
Hosta 'Whirlwind'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta crispula
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta fortunei var. albopicta
The Chelsea hosta, Renge-Giboshi, Fortune's hosta
Hosta fortunei var. albopicta f. aurea
Renge-Giboshi, Fortune's hosta, The Chelsea hosta
Hosta gracillima
Hime Iwa Giboshi, Small rock hosta
Hosta kikutii var. kikutii
Hyuga giboshi, Crane-beaked hosta
Hosta lancifolia
Narrow leaved plantain lily, Narrow leaved hosta, Lance leaf hosta
Hosta longissima
Mizu giboshi, Slender leaf hosta
Hosta plantaginea
August lily, Maruba, Fragrant plantain lily, Hairpin hosta, Tama-no-kanzashi, Yu-san
Hosta plantaginea var. japonica
August lily, Maruba, Fragrant plantain lily, Hairpin hosta, Tama-no-kanzashi, Yu-san
Hosta rohdeifolia
Plantain lily, Funkia
Hosta sieboldiana
Siebold hosta
Hosta sieboldii var. sieboldii
Siebold hosta
Hosta tsushimensis
Tsushima giboshi
Hosta undulata
Wavey leafed Plantain lily, Suji-giboshi
Hosta undulata var. albomarginata
Wavey leafed Plantain lily, Suji-giboshi
Hosta undulata var. erromena
Wavey leafed Plantain lily, Suji-giboshi
Hosta undulata var. univittata
Wavey leafed Plantain lily, Suji-giboshi
Hydrangea anomala
Climbing hydrangea
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 'Summer Snow'
Climbing hydrangea
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris var. cordifolia
Climbing hydrangea
Hydrangea anomola subsp. petiolaris 'Miranda'
Climbing hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Grandiflora'
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens subsp. discolor 'Sterilis'
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens subsp. radiata
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens subsp. radiata 'Samantha'
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea aspera
Rough leaved hydrangea
Hydrangea aspera
Rough leaved hydrangea
Hydrangea aspera 'Macrophylla'
Large rough leaved hydrangea, Rough leaved hydrangea
Hydrangea aspera 'Mauvette'
Rough leaved hydrangea
Hydrangea aspera Kawakamii Group
Rough leaved hydrangea
Hydrangea aspera Villosa Group
Shaggy rough leaf hydrangea, Rough leaved hydrangea
Hydrangea heteromalla
Tree hydrangea
Hydrangea heteromalla 'Snowcap'
Tree hydrangea