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 macrophylla 'Hatfield Rose'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hobella'
Common hydrangea, Large leaved hybrid hydrangea, Bigleaf hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Masja'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Purple Ball'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Schadendorff's Pearl'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Souvenir du Pres. Paul Doumer'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla Black Steel Series
Common hydrangea, Large leaved hybrid hydrangea, Bigleaf hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla Dolce Kiss = 'Dolkis'
Hortensia hydrangea, Mophead hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'White Lady'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata Magical Lime Sparkle = 'Bokralims'
Plumed hydrangea, Panicle hydrangea
Iberis 'Tahoe'
Candytuft
Ilex aquifolium 'Hascombensis'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Myrtifolia Aurea'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex crenata 'Fastigiata'
Slender box leaved holly, Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata var. latifolia
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex x altaclerensis
Highclere hybrid holly, Altaclera holly
Iris 'Anne Elizabeth'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Arctic Tern'
Bearded iris
Iris 'Bibury'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Bronzaire'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Buttercup Bower'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Buttermilk'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Dominion'
Tall bearded iris
Iris 'Edward'
Netted iris, Reticulated iris
Iris 'Katie-Koo'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Maui Moonlight'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Meg's Mantle'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'No Name'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Ottawa'
Siberian iris
Iris 'Pinewood Amethyst'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris 'Ruffled Velvet'
Iris, Flag, Sword lily
Iris 'Saltwood'
Bearded iris, German iris
Iris laevigata 'Weymouth Midnight'
Smooth iris, Asiatic swamp iris, Rabbit ear iris
Iris sibirica
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Dreaming Spires'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Mrs Saunders'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Papillon'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Perry's Blue'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris sibirica 'Persimmon'
Siberian iris, Meadow iris
Iris tenax
Oregon iris
Jasminum beesianum
Jasmine, Jessamine, Bees nursery Jasmine
Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Alps'
Chinese juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'Robusta Green'
Chinese juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'Variegata'
Chinese juniper
Juniperus communis 'Schneverdingen Goldmachandel'
Common juniper
Juniperus communis 'Sentinel'
Common juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Golden Carpet'
Creeping juniper, Creeping cedar, Creeping savin, Horizontal juniper
Juniperus horizontalis Glauca Group
Creeping juniper, Creeping cedar, Creeping savin, Horizontal juniper