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)
Geranium wallichianum 'Crystal Lake'
Wallich's geranium
Geranium x oxonianum 'Miriam Rundle'
Oxford geranium, Druce's cranesbill
Griselinia littoralis Green Horizon = 'Whenuapai'
Broadleaf, Papauma, Kapuka, New Zealand privet
Gypsophila 'White Festival'
Baby's breath
Gypsophila paniculata 'Bristol Fairy'
Baby's breath
Gypsophila paniculata 'Flore Pleno'
Baby's breath
Gypsophila repens 'Dubia'
Creeping baby's breath, Alpine gypsophila
Gypsophila repens 'Filou Rose'
Creeping baby's breath, Alpine gypsophila
Gypsophila repens 'Fratensis'
Creeping baby's breath, Alpine gypsophila
Hebe 'Claret Crush'
Hebe 'Hagley Park'
Hebe 'La Seduisante'
Hebe 'Strawberries and Cream'
Shrubby veronica
Hebe 'Super Red'
Hebe Addenda® 'Donna®'
Shrubby veronica
Hebe propinqua
Whipcord hebe, Cushion whipcord hebe
Hedera helix 'Angularis Aurea'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Atropurpurea'
Common ivy, English ivy, Purple English ivy
Hedera helix 'Palmata'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Spectre'
Common ivy, English ivy
Hedera helix 'Triton'
Common ivy, English ivy
Helianthemum 'Fire Dragon'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Pink Angel'
Common sun rose, Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Raspberry Ripple'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Rhodanthe Carneum'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Salmon Queen'
Rock rose
Helianthemum double pink-flowered
Rock rose
Helichrysum microphyllum
Dwarf curry plant
Hemerocallis 'Edge Ahead'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Festival'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Little Gypsy Vagabond'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Little Wine Cup'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Luxury Lace'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Summer Wine'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Timeless Fire'
Day lily
Heuchera 'Cascade Dawn'
Coral bells, Alumroot
Hibiscus syriacus 'Ardens'
Rose of Sharon, Tree hollyhock
Hibiscus syriacus 'Violet Clair Double'
Rose of Sharon, Tree hollyhock
Hosta 'Blue Wedgewood'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'El Capitan'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Sweetie'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta 'Vera Verde'
Plantain Iily, Funkia
Hosta tardiva
Nankai-Giboshi
Hydrangea arborescens Ruby Annabelle = 'Ncha3'
Smooth hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Atlantic'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Baroque Angel'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blauer Prinz'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Harry's Pink Topper'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea