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)
Hypericum x inodorum 'Hysan'
Tall tutsan
Hypericum x inodorum Golden Beacon = 'Wilhyp'
Tall tutsan
Hypericum x inodorum Magical Limelight = 'Kolmalimeli'
Tall tutsan
Hypericum x inodorum Magical Sunshine = 'Kolmasun'
Tall tutsan
Hypericum x inodorum Magical Universe = 'Kolmuni'
Tall tutsan
Hypericum x inodorum Magical White = 'Kolmawhi'
Tall tutsan
Hypericum x moserianum
Moser's St John's wort, Gold flower
Hypericum x moserianum 'Daybreak'
Moser's St John's wort, Gold flower
Iberis 'Pink Ice'
Evergreen candytuft
Iberis Absolutely Amethyst = 'Ib2401'
Candytuft
Iberis gibraltarica
Gibraltar candytuft
Iberis sempervirens
Evergreen candytuft, Edging candytuft, Perennial candytuft
Iberis sempervirens 'Appen-Etz'
Evergreen candytuft
Iberis sempervirens 'Golden Candy'
Evergreen candytuft
Iberis sempervirens 'Snowflake'
Evergreen candytuft, Edging candytuft, Perennial candytuft
Iberis sempervirens 'Weisser Zwerg'
Evergreen candytuft, Edging candytuft, Perennial candytuft
Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata Pendula'
Perry's silver weeping holly, Silver-margined holly, Broad leaved silver holly
Ilex aquifolium 'Aurea Marginata'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox Aurea'
Golden hedgehog holly, Hedgehog holly
Ilex aquifolium 'Golden Milkboy'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Golden Queen'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Golden Van Tol'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Green Pillar'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Handsworth New Silver'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Laurifolia'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Pyramidalis Fructu Luteo'
Yellow fruited holly
Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Milkmaid'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex crenata
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Convexa'
Convex box-leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Green Hedger'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Mariesii'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Shiro-fukurin'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Stokes'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Twiggy'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Variegata'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata var. fukasawana
Holly, Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata var. paludosa
Holly, Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex x altaclerensis 'Belgica Aurea'
Highclere hybrid hollies, Highclere hybrid holly, Altaclera holly
Ilex x altaclerensis 'Camelliifolia'
Altaclera holly, Camellia leafed English holly, Highclere hybrid holly, Altaclera holly
Ilex x altaclerensis 'Lawsoniana'
Highclere hybrid holly, Altaclera holly
Iris 'Arctic Fancy'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Au Sommet'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Butter and Sugar'
Siberian iris
Iris 'Cranberry Swirl'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Flight of Butterflies'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris 'Florentina'
Orris root, Poor man's orchid