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)
Oenothera
Evening primrose, Suncups
Oenothera 'Apricot Delight'
Evening primrose
Oenothera acaulis
Stemless evening primrose
Oenothera biennis
Common evening primrose, German rampion, Field primrose
Oenothera Crown of Gold = 'Lishal'
Evening primrose
Oenothera fruticosa 'Fyrverkeri'
Sundrops, Narrowleaf evening primrose
Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca
Four-angled sundrops, Evening primrose
Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca 'Erica Robin'
Sundrops, Narrowleaf evening primrose
Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca 'Sonnenwende'
Sundrops, Narrowleaf evening primrose
Oenothera macrocarpa
Ozark sundrops, Missouri evening primrose
Oenothera odorata
Fragrant evening primrose
Oenothera speciosa
White evening primrose, Showy evening primrose
Oenothera speciosa 'Siskiyou'
White evening primrose, Showy evening primrose
Oenothera versicolor 'Sunset Boulevard'
Evening primrose, Suncups
Olearia
Daisy bush, New Zealand daisy bush, Tree aster
Olearia 'Henry Travers'
Daisy bush, New Zealand daisy bush, Tree aster
Olearia 'Waikariensis'
Waikariensis daisy bush
Olearia ilicifolia
Mountain holly, Hakeke, Maori holly, Daisy bush, Tree aster, Marlborough rock daisy
Olearia nummulariifolia
Coin leaf daisy bush
Olearia phlogopappa 'Spring Bling'
Daisy bush
Olearia phlogoppapa 'Comber's Blue'
Tasmanian daisy bush, Dusty daisy bush
Olearia stellulata DC
Starry daisy bush
Olearia x scilloniensis
Scilly Isles daisy bush, Tree aster
Ophiopogon
Snake's beard, Mondo grass, Lilyturf, Dwarf lilyturf
Ophiopogon japonicus
Dwarf Japanese mondo grass, Dwarf lily turf
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Minor'
Dwarf Japanese mondo grass, Dwarf lily turf
Origanum 'Kent Beauty'
Marjoram, Marjory
Origanum 'Rosenkuppel'
Marjoram, Marjory
Origanum laevigatum
Marjoram, Marjory, Showy oregano, Smooth leaved oregano
Origanum onites
Pot marjoram, French marjoram, Cretan oregano
Origanum vulgare
Oregano, Common marjoram, Wild marjoram, Dwarf marjoram, Creeping marjoram
Origanum vulgare 'Aureum'
Oregano, Golden marjoram, Common marjoram, Wild marjoram, Dwarf marjoram, Creeping marjoram
Origanum vulgare 'Country Cream'
Oregano, Common marjoram, Wild marjoram, Dwarf marjoram, Creeping marjoram
Origanum vulgare 'Thumble's Variety'
Oregano, Common marjoram, Wild marjoram, Dwarf marjoram, Creeping marjoram
Osteospermum 'Buttermilk'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'In the Pink'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Nairobi Purple'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Pink Whirls'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Snow Pixie'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Stardust'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Trewidden Pink'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Weetwood'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Whirlygig'
African daisy
Osteospermum ecklonis
Blue and white daisy bush, Sailerboy daisy
Osteospermum jucundum 'Langtrees'
Pleasing African daisy
Ozothamnus ledifolius
Kerosene bush, Kerosene weed
Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius
Rosemary leaf ozothamnus