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)
Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Rode Klokke'
Pasque flower
Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Violet Bells'
Pasque flower
Pulsatilla vulgaris subsp. grandis 'Papageno'
Pasque flower
Pyracantha 'Mohave Silver'
Firethorn
Pyracantha 'Navaho'
Firethorn
Pyracantha 'Teton'
Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea 'Lalandei'
Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Cushion'
Firethorn, Buisson ardent, Scarlet firethorn
Pyracantha rogersiana
Coltman-Rogers' firethorn
Pyracantha rogersiana 'Flava'
Coltman-Rogers' firethorn
Pyracantha Saphyr Jaune = 'Cadaune'
Firethorn
Pyracantha Saphyr Orange = 'Cadange'
Firethorn
Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge = 'Cadrou'
Firethorn
Quercus ilex
Holm oak, Evergreen oak, Holly leaved oak
Quercus petraea
Sessile oak, Durmast oak
Quercus robur
Common oak, English oak, Pedunculate oak
Quercus robur Fastigiata Group
Cyprus oak, Common oak, English oak, Pedunculate oak
Ravenea rivularis
Majestic palm, Majesty palm
Rhamnus alaternus 'Argenteovariegata'
Buckthorn, Italian buckthorn
Rhaponticum centaureoides
Knapweed, Star thistle
Rhodanthemum 'African Eyes'
Moroccan daisy
Rhodanthemum 'African Spring'
Moroccan daisy
Rhodanthemum hosmariense
Moroccan daisy
Rhodiola rosea
Midsummer men
Rhododendron ponticum
Purple rhododendron, Ponticum rhododendron
Rhododendron ponticum 'Purpureum'
Purple rhododendron, Ponticum rhododendron
Rhododendron protistum
Earliest rhododendron
Ribes odoratum
Buffalo currant, Clove currant, Golden currant
Ribes sanguineum
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Albescens'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Brocklebankii'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Elkington's White'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Koja'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Pulborough Scarlet'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Red Pimpernel'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Somerset White'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum 'Tydeman's White'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum White Icicle = 'Ubric'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes x beatonii
Gordon's currant, Flowering currant
Romneya coulteri 'White Cloud'
California Tree poppy, Matilija poppy, White bush poppy
Rosa 'Debutante'
Rambling rose
Rosa 'Dunwich Rose'
Spinosissima hybrid rose
Rosa 'F. J. Grootendorst'
Rugosa rose
Rosa 'Fimbriata'
Rugosa rose
Rosa 'Fruhlingsgold'
Spinosissima hybrid rose
Rosa 'Hansa'
Rugosa rose
Rosa 'Helen Knight'
Shrub rose
Rosa 'May Queen'
Rambling rose