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)
Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer'
Silk-bearing mullein
Veronica 'Baby Doll'
Speedwell
Veronica 'First Love'
Speedwell
Veronica 'Inspire Light Pink'
Speedwell
Veronica 'Inspire Pink'
Speedwell
Veronica 'Pink Damask'
Speedwell, Bird's eye
Veronica 'Shirley Blue'
Speedwell, Bird's eye
Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium
Large speedwell, Austrian speedwell, Teucrium like speedwell
Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue'
Large speedwell, Austrian speedwell, Teucrium like speedwell
Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium 'Royal Blue'
Large speedwell, Austrian speedwell, Teucrium like speedwell
Veronica beccabunga
Brooklime, European brooklime, Cowcress, Limpwort, Water pimpernell, Stockdale
Veronica Christy = 'Henslerone'
Speedwell
Veronica Dark Blue Moody Blues™ = 'Novaverblu'
Speedwell
Veronica gentianoides
Gentiana like speedwell
Veronica gentianoides 'Tissington White'
Gentiana like speedwell
Veronica longifolia
Long leaf veronica, Beach speedwell
Veronica longifolia 'Blaubundel'
Long leaf veronica, Beach speedwell
Veronica longifolia 'Blue Spire'
Long leaf veronica, Beach speedwell
Veronica longifolia 'First Glory'
Long leaf veronica, Beach speedwell
Veronica longifolia 'Marietta'
Long leaf veronica, Beach speedwell
Veronica longifolia 'Schneeriesin'
Long leaf veronica, Beach speedwell
Veronica oltensis
Oltenia speedwell
Veronica Pink Moody Blues™ = 'Novaverpin'
Speedwell
Veronica prostrata
Rockery speedwell, Harebell speedwell, Prostrate speedwell
Veronica prostrata 'Goldwell'
Rockery speedwell, Harebell speedwell, Prostrate speedwell
Veronica prostrata 'Lilac Time'
Rockery speedwell, Harebell speedwell, Prostrate speedwell
Veronica prostrata 'Mrs Holt'
Rockery speedwell, Harebell speedwell, Prostrate speedwell
Veronica prostrata 'Nestor'
Rockery speedwell, Harebell speedwell, Prostrate speedwell
Veronica prostrata 'Spode Blue'
Rockery speedwell, Harebell speedwell, Prostrate speedwell
Veronica prostrata 'Trehane'
Rockery speedwell, Harebell speedwell, Prostrate speedwell
Veronica Sky Blue Moody Blues™ = 'Novaversky'
Speedwell
Veronica spicata
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Alba'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Blue Sapphire'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Heidekind'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'High Five'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Romiley Purple'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Rotfuchs'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Sightseeing'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata subsp. incana
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronica spicata subsp. incana 'Saraband'
Blue willow herb, Spiked speedwell
Veronicastrum
Blackroot, Culver's root
Veronicastrum virginica 'Adoration'
Bowmans root, Culvers physic, Oxadaddy, Quitch
Veronicastrum virginica 'Fascination'
Bowmans root, Culvers physic, Oxadaddy, Quitch
Veronicastrum virginicum
Bowmans root, Culvers physic, Oxadaddy, Quitch
Veronicastrum virginicum 'Album'
Bowmans root, Culvers physic, Oxadaddy, Quitch
Veronicastrum virginicum 'Pointed Finger'
Bowmans root, Culvers physic, Oxadaddy, Quitch