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)
Monarda 'Blaustrumpf'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Monarda 'Elsie's Lavender'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Monarda 'Mahogany'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Monarda 'Saggitarius'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Monarda 'Talud'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Monarda 'Twins'
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Nepeta subsessilis 'Cool Cat'
Short-stalked catmint
Nepeta subsessilis 'Pink Dreams'
Short-stalked catmint
Oenothera 'Summer Sun'
Evening primrose, Suncups
Oenothera pallida 'Innocence'
Evening primrose, Suncups
Olearia traversii
Chatham Island akeake
Osteospermum 'Bloemhoff Belle'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Bodegas Pink'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Cannington John'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Giles Gilbey'
African daisy
Papaver 'Blood Red'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Carneum'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'John Metcalf'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Kleine Tanzerin'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Ruffled Patty'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Watermelon'
Oriental poppy
Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails'
Fountain grass
Penstemon 'Beech Park'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Elgar Enigma'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Elgar Firefly'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Elgar Nimrod'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Margery Fish'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Peace'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Purple Passion'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Raspberry Ripple'
Beard tongue
Penstemon barbatus 'Jingle Bells'
Bearded penstemon, Beardlip penstemon, Common beardtongue
Penstemon fruticosus var. scouleri 'Albus'
Shrubby penstemon, Woody penstemon, Slender woody penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
Foothills beard tongue
Penstemon hirsutus
Hairy beard tongue
Penstemon richardsonii
Cut-leaved beard tongue
Perovskia 'Filigran'
Russian sage
Phlox carolina
Thick-leaf phlox, Carolina phlox
Phlox carolina 'Magnificence'
Thick-leaf phlox, Carolina phlox
Phlox carolina 'Miss Lingard'
Wedding phlox, Thick-leaf phlox, Carolina phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Pax'
Border phlox, Summer phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Pink Lady'
Border phlox, Summer phlox
Phlox paniculata Pink Eye Flame = 'Barthirtyfive'
Border phlox, Summer phlox
Phlox subulata 'Alexander's Surprise'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink
Phlox subulata 'Early Spring Light Pink'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink
Phlox subulata 'Lilacina'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink
Phlox subulata 'Marjorie'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink
Phlox subulata 'Ronsdorfer Schone'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink
Phlox subulata Early Spring Purple = 'Barseventyfour'
Moss phlox, Mountain phlox, Moss pink