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)
Juniperus rigida subsp. conferta 'Blue Pacific'
Shore juniper
Juniperus sabina 'Variegata'
Variegated common savin
Juniperus scopulorum 'Gray Gleam'
Rocky Mountain juniper, Western red cedar
Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket'
Rocky Mountain juniper, Western red cedar
Juniperus x pfitzeriana
Juniper, Pfitzer juniper
Juniperus x pfitzeriana 'Sulphur Spray'
Pfitzer juniper
Kniphofia 'Lye End'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Strawberries and Cream'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia citrina
Red hot poker, Lemon yellow Red hot poker
Lagerstroemia indica Berry Dazzle = 'Gamad VI'
Crape myrtle, Pride of India, Summer lilac, Cranesbill
Lathyrus grandiflorus
Everlasting pea, Two-flowered pea
Lathyrus grandiflorus 'Painted Lads'
Everlasting pea, Two-flowered pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet pea, Fragrant sweet pea
Lavandula 'Blue Spear'
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Dwarf Blue'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Ellagance Purple'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Jean Davis'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Miss Dawnderry'
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Royal Purple'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Little Bee Purple'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavatera clementii Ruby Star = 'Jopstar'
Lavatera x clementii 'Candy Floss'
Clement's lavatera
Leptospermum scoparium 'Nichollsii'
Manuka, Broom teatree, New Zealand tea tree
Leucanthemum 'Macaroon'
Shasta daisy
Leucanthemum x superbum 'Real Goldcup'
Shasta daisy
Leucanthemum x superbum 'Real Sunbeam'
Shasta daisy
Ligusticum scoticum
Scottish lovage, Sea lovage
Linaria anticaria 'Antique Silver'
Toadflax, Spurred snapdragon
Linaria purpurea
Purple toadflax
Lobularia maritima 'Alice Red'
Sweet alyssum, Sweet Alison
Lobularia maritima 'Snow Carpet'
Sweet alyssum, Sweet Alison
Lonicera caprifolium
Italian woodbine, Italian honeysuckle, Goat leaf honeysuckle, Perfoliate honeysuckle
Lonicera etrusca
Etruscan honeysuckle
Lonicera etrusca 'Donald Waterer'
Etruscan honeysuckle
Lonicera etrusca 'Michael Rosse'
Etruscan honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata
Twinberry
Lonicera periclymenum 'Rhubarb and Custard'
Woodbine, Woodbine honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens 'Cedar Lane'
Trumpet honeysuckle
Lonicera x tellmanniana
Redgold, Yellman honeysuckle
Lonicera xylosteum
Honeysuckle, Fly honeysuckle, Dwarf emerald mound honeysuckle
Luzula sylvatica
Greater wood rush
Lychnis chalcedonica 'Flore Pleno'
Jerusalem cross, Maltese cross, London pride, Scarlet lightning
Mimulus 'Magic Red Flame'
Monkey flower
Mimulus 'Magic Yellow Flame'
Monkey flower
Mimulus 'Puck'
Monkey flower, Musk
Mimulus x hybridus 'Calypso Hybrids'
Monkey flower, Musk
Monarda 'Aquarius'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Monarda 'Balance'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea