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)
Picea pungens 'Globosa'
Colorado spruce, Blue spruce
Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
Colorado spruce, Blue spruce
Picea pungens 'Koster'
Koster's blue spruce, Colorado spruce, Blue spruce
Picea pungens Glauca Group
Blue spruce
Pinus
Whitebark pine, Pine
Pinus bungeana
Whitebark pine, Pine, Lace bark pine
Pinus contorta
Beach pine, Shore pine, Western scrub Pine, Knotty pine, North coast scrub pine
Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph'
Beach pine, Shore pine, Western Scrub Pine, Knotty pine, North Coast Scrub Pine
Pinus mugo
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo 'Carsten's Wintergold'
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo 'Corleys Mat'
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo 'Golden Glow'
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo 'Humpy'
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo 'Laarheide'
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo 'Ophir'
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus mugo 'Varella'
Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Pinus muricata
Bishop pine
Pinus nigra
Austrian pine, Black pine
Pinus nigra
Austrian pine, Black pine
Pinus nigra 'Hornibrookiana'
Austrian pine, Black pine
Pinus pinaster
Maritime pine, Bournemouth pine, Cluster pine
Pinus pinea
Stone pine, Umbrella pine, Italian stone pine, Pine nut pine
Pinus radiata
Monterey pine
Pinus radiata 'Aurea'
Monterey pine
Pinus strobus
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Blue Shag'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Contorta'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Merrimack'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Minima'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Pendula'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Radiata'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Sea Urchin'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus strobus 'Secrest'
Weymouth pine, Eastern white pine, Deal pine
Pinus sylvestris
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris 'Beuvronensis'
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris 'Gold Coin'
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris 'Moseri'
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris 'Watereri'
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris Aurea Group
Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris Fastigiata Group
Scots pine
Pinus thunbergii
Japanese Black pine
Pinus thunbergii 'Sayonara'
Japanese Black pine
Pistacia chinensis
Pistachio, Chinese pistachio
Pittosporum 'Arundel Green'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Collaig Silver'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Elizabeth'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu