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)
Iris 'Jane Phillips'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Jeremy Brian'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'
Netted iris, Reticulated iris
Iris 'Kent Pride'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Langport Storm'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Metolius Blues'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Raspberry Blush'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Silver Edge'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris 'Stepping Out'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Sunny Dawn'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Superstition'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Tarot'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Tintinara'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'White City'
Tall bearded iris
Iris ensata
Japanese water iris, Sword leaved iris, Higo iris
Iris foetidissima
Stinking gladioli, Gladwin iris, Roast beef plant
Iris foetidissima 'Variegata'
Stinking gladioli, Gladwin iris, Roast beef plant
Iris germanica
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris laevigata 'Colchesterensis'
Smooth iris, Asiatic swamp iris, Rabbit ear iris
Iris laevigata 'Mottled Beauty'
Smooth iris, Asiatic swamp iris, Rabbit ear iris
Iris laevigata 'Variegata'
Smooth iris, Asiatic swamp iris, Rabbit ear iris
Iris laevigata var. alba
Smooth iris, Asiatic swamp iris, Rabbit ear iris
Iris pallida 'Argentea Variegata'
Dalmation iris, Pale iris, Sweet iris, Great purple flag, Orris root
Iris pallida 'Variegata'
Dalmation iris, Pale iris, Sweet iris, Great purple flag, Orris root
Iris pseudacorus
Water iris, Yellow iris, Yellow flag, Water flag, False iris
Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno'
Water iris, Yellow iris, Yellow flag, Water flag, False iris
Iris reticulata
Netted iris, Reticulated iris
Iris sanguinea 'Snow Queen'
Siberian iris, Oriental iris
Iris setosa
Bristle pointed iris, Alaskan blue flag
Iris sibirica 'Anniversary'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Dreaming Yellow'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Fourfold Lavender'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Limeheart'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Navy Brass'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Sea Shadows'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Tropic Night'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'White Swirl'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris unguicularis
Algerian Iris, Winter Iris
Iris unguicularis 'Mary Barnard'
Algerian Iris, Winter Iris
Iris versicolor
Blue flag, Poison flag, Flag lily, Vari-coloured iris
Iris versicolor 'Kermesina'
Blue flag, Poison flag, Flag lily, Vari-coloured iris
Jacobaea maritima
Silver cineraria, Sea ragwort, Silver groundsel
Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust'
Silver cineraria, Sea ragwort, Silver groundsel
Jasminum
Jasmine, Jessamine
Jasminum officinale
Common jasmine, Poet's jasmine, Common white jasmine
Jasminum officinale 'Argenteovariegatum'
Common jasmine, Poet's jasmine, Common white jasmine
Jasminum parkeri
Dwarf jasmine, Parker's jasmine
Juncus
Rush