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)
Hydrangea paniculata 'Wim's Red'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata Bobo = 'Ilvoko'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
Oak leaf hydrangea
Hypericum
St John's wort, St Peter's wort
Hypericum Magical Beauty = 'Kolmbeau'
St John's wort
Hypericum Magical Red = 'Kolmred'
St John's wort
Hypericum Miracle Attraction = 'Alldiablo'
St John's wort
Hypericum Miracle Blizz = 'Allblizz'
St John's wort
Hypericum x hidcoteense 'Hidcote'
St John's wort, St Peter's wort
Hypericum x moserianum 'Tricolor'
Moser's St John's wort, Gold flower
Iberis
Candytuft
Iberis 'Masterpiece'
Candytuft
Iberis sempervirens
Evergreen candytuft, Edging candytuft, Perennial candytuft
Ilex
Holly
Ilex aquifolium
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata'
Silver-margined holly, Broad leaved silver holly
Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox Argentea'
Silver hedging holly, Hedgehog holly
Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. Van Tol'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex crenata 'Convexed Gold'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem'
Golden box leaved holly, Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King'
Highclere hybrid holly, Altaclera holly
Iris
Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata'
Water iris, Yellow iris, Yellow flag, Water flag, False iris
Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'
Flaky juniper, Scaly leaved nepal juniper
Kniphofia
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Lemon Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Mango Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Papaya Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Redhot Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Lathyrus latifolius
Perennial pea, Broad leaved everlasting pea, Large leaved lathyrus, Wild sweet pea
Lathyrus latifolius 'Red Pearl'
Perennial pea, Broad leaved everlasting pea, Large leaved lathyrus, Wild sweet pea
Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl'
Perennial pea, Broad leaved everlasting pea, Large leaved lathyrus, Wild sweet pea
Lathyrus vernus
Spring vetch, Spring pea, Spring vetchling
Laurus nobilis
Bay laurel, Sweet Bay, Poet's Laurel, True laurel, Laurel tree
Lavandula
Lavender
Lavandula 'Regal Splendour'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
English lavender, True lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Arctic Snow'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Essence Purple'
Lavender, Old English lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula aristibracteata 'Blue Star'
Bristle-bracted lavender
Lavandula stoechas
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Dark Royalty'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender