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)
Salvia 'Sallyfun® Snow White'
Perennial sage
Salvia 'Silas Dyson'
Hybrid sage
Salvia 'Silke's Dream'
Hybrid sage
Salvia 'Trelawny'
Hybrid sage, Cherry sage, Graham's sage, Myrtle sage
Salvia 'Trelissick'
Hybrid sage, Cherry sage, Graham's sage, Myrtle sage
Salvia 'Trewithen'
Hybrid sage, Cherry sage, Graham's sage, Myrtle sage
Salvia 'Tutti Frutti'
Hybrid sage
Salvia 'Violin Music'
Hybrid sage
Salvia apiana
Bee sage, Caifornia white sage, White sage
Salvia argentea
Silver sage
Salvia aurea
Brown sage
Salvia Black & Bloom = 'Balsaloom'
Anise-scented sage
Salvia blepharophylla 'Diablo'
Eyelash leaf sage, Brandegee
Salvia blepharophylla 'Painted Lady'
Eyelash leaf sage, Brandegee
Salvia candelabrum
Candelabrum sage
Salvia chamaedryoides
Germander sage
Salvia coccinea
Tropical sage, Texas sage, Scarlet salvia
Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph'
Tropical sage
Salvia coccinea 'Forest Fire'
Tropical sage
Salvia coccinea 'Lady in Red'
Tropical sage
Salvia coccinea 'Summer Jewel Pink'
Tropical sage
Salvia coccinea 'Summer Jewel Red'
Tropical sage
Salvia concolor (Lamb. ex Benth.)
Sage
Salvia confertiflora
Sabre spike sage
Salvia confertiflora 'La Mortola'
Sabre spike sage
Salvia darcyi (J. Compton)
D'arcy's sage
Salvia discolor
Andean sage, Andean silver sage
Salvia dorisiana
Fruit scented sage, Peach sage
Salvia elegans
Pineapple sage, Honey melon sage
Salvia elegans 'Honey Melon'
Pineapple sage, Honey melon sage
Salvia elegans 'Scarlet Pineapple'
Pineapple sage, Honey melon sage
Salvia farinacea
Mealy sage
Salvia farinacea 'Cirrus'
Mealy sage, Mealy cup sage
Salvia farinacea 'Fairy Queen'
Mealy sage, Mealy cup sage.
Salvia farinacea 'Rhea'
Mealy sage, Mealy cup sage
Salvia farinacea 'Sallyfun® Sky Blue'
Perennial sage
Salvia farinacea 'Strata'
Mealy sage
Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'
Mealy sage
Salvia farinacea 'Victoria'
Mealy sage
Salvia forsskaolii
Forsskal's sage
Salvia fulgens
Mexican red sage, Cardinal sage
Salvia glutinosa
Jupiter's distaff, Sricky sage
Salvia greggii
Autumn sage
Salvia greggii 'Caramba'
Autumn sage, Texas sage
Salvia greggii 'Icing Sugar'
Autumn sage, Salvia
Salvia greggii 'Peach'
Autumn sage
Salvia greggii 'Stormy Pink'
Autumn sage, Texas sage
Salvia greggii 'Sungold'
Autumn sage, Texas sage