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)
Hydrangea paniculata Mega Mindy = 'Ilvomindy'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata Perle d'Automne = 'Degustar'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond = 'Interhydia'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata Prim White = 'Dolprim'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata Sundae Fraise = 'Rensun'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Applause'
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike's Dwarf'
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia Snow Queen = 'Flemygea'
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia Snowflake = 'Brido'
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea seemannii
Seemann's hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata
Cut-leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata
Cut leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Beni-gaku'
Cut-leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Blue Deckle'
Cut-leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Bluebird'
Cut leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Diadem'
Cut-leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Grayswood'
Cut leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Kiyosumi'
Cut leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Miranda'
Cut leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Rosalba'
Cut leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata 'Tiara'
Cut leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata Tuff Stuff = 'Mak20'
Cut-leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea serratifolia
Climbing hydrangea
Hypericum 'Little Misstery'
St John's wort
Hypericum 'Rowallane'
St John's wort, St Peter's wort
Hypericum aegypticum
Egyptian St John's wort
Hypericum androsaemum
Common tutsan, Sweet amber, Tutsan, Bible leaf
Hypericum androsaemum 'Albury Purple'
Common tutsan, Sweet amber, Tutsan, Bible leaf
Hypericum androsaemum f. variegatum 'Mrs Gladis Brabazon'
Common tutsan, Sweet amber, Tutsan, Bible leaf
Hypericum calycinum
Rose of Sharon, St John's wort, Aaron's beard
Hypericum cerastioides
Cerastium like St John's wort
Hypericum elodes
Marsh St John's wort
Hypericum forrestii
Forrest's St John's wort
Hypericum kouytchense
Kweichow St john's wort
Hypericum lancasteri
Lancaster's St John's wort
Hypericum Magical Red Star = 'Kolmarest'
St John's wort
Hypericum Miracle Wonder = 'Hymirwon'
St John's wort
Hypericum olympicum
Dwarf St John's wort, Olympic St John's wort
Hypericum olympicum f. uniflorum
Dwarf St John's wort, Olympic St John's wort
Hypericum olympicum f. uniflorum 'Citrinum'
Dwarf St John's wort, Olympic St John's wort
Hypericum patulum
Goldencup St John's wort
Hypericum pseudohenryi
Irish tutsan
Hypericum stellulatum
Star flowered tutsan
Hypericum x cyathiflorum 'Gold Cup'
Wine glass hybrid tutsan
Hypericum x dummeri 'Peter Dummer'
Dummer's tutsan
Hypericum x inodorum 'Elstead'
Tall tutsan