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)
Lychnis coronaria 'Angel's Blush'
Dusty miller, Rose campion, Mullein pink
Lychnis coronaria Atrosanguinea Group
Dusty miller, Rose campion, Mullein pink
Lychnis coronaria Gardeners World = 'Blych'
Dusty miller, Rose campion, Mullein pink
Lychnis coronaria Oculata Group
Dusty miller, Rose campion, Mullein pink
Lychnis flos-jovis 'Hort's Variety'
Flower of Jove, Job's flower
Lychnis viscaria 'Plena'
Catchfly, Sticky campion
Lythrum
Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'Blush'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'Feuerkerze'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'Robert'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria 'The Beacon'
Purple loosestrife, Spiked loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum
Slim leaf loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum 'Dropmore Purple'
Slim leaf loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum 'Rose Queen'
Slim leaf loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum 'Rosy Gem'
Slim leaf loosestrife
Lythrum virgatum 'The Rocket'
Slim leaf loosestrife
Mahonia
Barberry
Mahonia aquifolium
Oregon grape, Holly grape, Holly leaved barberry
Mahonia aquifolium 'Atropurpurea'
Oregon grape, Holly grape, Holly leaved barberry
Maytenus boaria
Maytens, Maiten
Melica altissima
Melic grass, Siberian melic grass, Tall melic grass
Melica altissima 'Atropurpurea'
Purple melic grass, Purple Siberian melic
Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm, Balm, Bee balm, Honey plant, Sweet Mary
Melissa officinalis 'All Gold'
Lemon balm, Balm, Bee balm, Honey plant, Sweet Mary
Melissa officinalis 'Aurea'
Golden balm, Lemon balm, Balm, Bee balm, Honey plant, Sweet Mary
Mertensia ciliata
Mountain bluebell, Languid ladies
Mertensia virginica
Virginian cowslip, Roanoke bells, Virginia bluebell
Mimulus 'Highland Orange'
Monkey flower
Mimulus 'Highland Pink'
Monkey flower
Mimulus 'Highland Red'
Monkey flower
Mimulus 'Highland Yellow'
Monkey flower
Mimulus 'Magic Ivory'
Monkey flower
Mimulus 'Magic White Flame'
Monkey flower
Mimulus cardinalis
Monkey musk, Crimson Monkey flower
Mimulus luteus
Yellow monkey flower, Monkey musk
Miscanthus
Silver grass
Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'
Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Hermann Mussel'
Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Kleine Silberspinne'
Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Punktchen'
Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Sioux'
Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Yakushima Dwarf'
Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass
Miscanthus sinensis Red Zenith = 'Robnith'
Chinese silver grass
Miscanthus sinensis Sunlit Satin = 'Robtin'
Chinese silver grass
Molinia
Moor grass
Molinia caerulea 'Banshee'
Purple moor grass
Molinia caerulea 'Poul Petersen'
Purple moor grass