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)
Alstroemeria Princess Mary = 'Zaprimary'
Peruvian lily, Lily of the Incas
Anemone blanda 'Radar'
Grecian windflower, Greek anemone
Anemone tomentosa
Hairy anemone
Anemone x hybrida
Japanese anemone, Hybrid anemone
Anthemis 'Tetworth'
Dog fennel, Dog daisy
Anthemis tinctoria 'Alba'
Yellow chamomile, Dyer's chamomile, Ox-eye chamomile, Golden marguerite
Arctotis x hybrida 'Apricot'
African daisy, Hybrid African daisy
Arctotis x hybrida 'Champagne'
African daisy, Hybrid African daisy
Arctotis x hybrida 'Mahogany'
African daisy, Hybrid African daisy
Argyranthemum 'Yellow Australian'
Marguerite, Paris daisy
Armeria pseudarmeria 'Ballerina Purple'
False thrift, Estoril thrift
Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'
Black chokeberry
Aronia x prunifolia 'Viking'
Purple chokeberry
Aster 'Ringdove'
Heath aster, Frost weed aster
Aster amellus 'Blue King'
Italian star-wort, Perennial aster, European Michaelmas daisy, Italian aster
Aster amellus 'Kobold'
Italian star-wort, Perennial aster, European Michaelmas daisy, Italian aster
Aster lateriflorus 'Delight'
Calico aster, Starved aster, Farewell summer
Aster lateriflorus 'Lovely'
Calico aster, Starved aster, Farewell summer
Aster novae-angliae 'Rosa Sieger'
New England aster, Michaelmas aster
Aster tongolensis 'Napsbury'
East Indies aster
Berberis aggregata
Gerald's barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Fireball'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Sunrise'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Red Rocket'
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry
Berberis x stenophylla 'Lemon Queen'
Rosemary barberry
Bergenia 'Bach'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Bartok'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'HerbstBlute'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia 'Pinneberg'
Pigsqueak, Megasea
Bergenia cordifolia 'Rose'
Heartleaf bergenia, Pigsqueak
Betula pendula 'Fastigiata'
European white birch, Silver birch, Warty birch, Fastigiate common birch
Brachyglottis rotundifolia
Muttonbird scrub
Buddleja alternifolia 'Argentea'
Silvered fountain buddleia
Buddleja davidii 'Buzz Black'
Orange eye butterfly bush, Summer lilac, Butterfly bush
Buddleja davidii 'Panache'
Orange eye butterfly bush, Summer lilac, Butterfly bush
Buddleja davidii Buzz Violet = 'Tobudviole'
Orange eye butterfly bush, Summer lilac, Butterfly bush
Buddleja davidii var. nanhoensis
Orange eye butterfly bush, Summer lilac, Butterfly bush
Buddleja delavayi
Delavay's buddleja
Buddleja x weyeriana 'Golden Glow'
Hybrid orange ball tree
Callistemon viminalis Hot Pink = 'Kkh01'
Weeping bottlebrush
Calluna vulgaris 'Alportii'
Common Scotch heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Anette'
Heather, Ling, Scots heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Beoley Crimson'
Common Scotch heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Blazeaway'
Common Scotch heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Dark Star'
Common Scotch heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Flatling'
Common Scotch heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Isobel Frye'
Heather, Ling, Scots heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Mair's Variety'
Common Scotch heather