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)
Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius 'Silver Jubilee'
Rosemary leaf ozothamnus
Pachystegia insignis
Marlborough rock daisy
Pallenis maritima
Aromatic sea aster
Panicum
Panic grass, Crab grass, Millet
Panicum virgatum
Switch grass, Wild red top, Thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'
Blue switch grass
Panicum virgatum 'Hanse Herms'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun'
Red switch grass
Panicum virgatum 'Rubrum'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
Red switch grass
Panicum virgatum 'Strictum'
Upright switch grass
Panicum virgatum 'Warrior'
Switch grass, Wild red top thatch grass, Wobsqua grass, Black bent grass
Papaver 'Avebury Crimson'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Brilliant'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Curlilocks'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Forncett Summer'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Karine'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Khedive'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Moondance'
Poppy
Papaver 'Mrs Perry'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Olympic Flame'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Perry's White'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Picotee'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Pizzicato'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Prinzessin Victoria Louise'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Sultana'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Turkenlouis'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Turkish Delight'
Oriental poppy
Papaver Goliath Group
Oriental poppy
Papaver orientale
Oriental poppy
Parahebe 'Pink Delight'
Irregular hebe
Parahebe catarractae
Waterfall parahebe
Parahebe lyallii
Lyall's parahebe
Parahebe lyallii 'Julie-Anne'
Lyall's parahebe
Parahebe lyallii 'Snowcap'
Lyall's parahebe
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Japanese creeper, Boston ivy
Pennisetum 'Pauls Giant'
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum glaucum
Couscous, Pearl millet
Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty'
Fountain grass, Glaucus purple fountain grass
Pennisetum incomptum
Spreading fountain grass, Meadow fountain grass
Pennisetum macrourum
African feather grass
Pennisetum massaicum 'Red Buttons'
Fountain grass
Pennisetum orientale
Oriental fountain grass
Pennisetum orientale
Oriental fountain grass