Coastal garden plants

• Blown over plants
• Plants covered with salty deposits
• Plants damaged by sand – sand blasted

Gardening by the sea is a challenge and an adventure. It’s a challenge because of the very special problems posed by salt-carrying winds and blown sand. It’s an adventure because even on the exposed east coast, where the chief trouble lies in salt spray carried on the cold drying on-shore winds for months in spring, the proximity of the sea reduces the risk of plant damage by spring frosts and makes it possible to grow some plants too tender for inland areas.

The first essential for gardeners is to provide some form of screening to break the full force of the winds. This can be slatted lath-fencing or wattle, or windbreak netting, which is readily available in various sizes of mesh. Some trees and large shrubs are also particularly suitable to create a windbreak and shelter from strong winds.

Solid structures, such as walls and fences, create turbulence on their leeward side and add to the wind problems.

The second essential is to prepare the ground very thoroughly in advance of planting. Mulching will be well worthwhile as it helps to conserve soil moisture, as well as keeping down weeds.

Water all plants well after planting and especially during the first year. Washing salt spray off the leaves of plants with a hose following strong winds may be necessary.

The third essential is to securely fasten trees and even large shrubs to stout stakes driven well into the ground. Feathered trees and average size conifers are preferable to standards for the first line of defence.

Tall herbaceous plants may need staking and, as a result, it may be better to choose low-growing, dwarf and compact varieties.

Plants with silvery leaves, scented or succulent foliage and those plants with maritima in their name, such as Pinus nigra austriaca maritima, are all good choices for coastal gardens.

Also look around at what’s planted locally and in neighbours’ gardens and, more importantly, what’s growing well.

Fruit doesn’t always do well in coastal gardens. Most don’t like the salt and strong winds make pollination difficult.

Costal gardens are more often than not warmer than surrounding areas. They rarely suffer from frosts. This means that plants that can’t be grown elsewhere – or have to be protected during the winter – can be planted permanently outside.

Strong coastal winds can be very damaging to plants and garden structures. These winds carry salt, which can also cause damage to plants that aren’t salt tolerant.

When living very close to the sea, these winds carry sand – and even small pebbles – which will physically damage plants and many garden structures. This gives plants a “sand blasted” effect.

If the soil is very sandy, it drains very quickly and needs lots of preparation and incorporation of bulky organic matter to hold what water is available. You may also need to water plants regularly. In these circumstances, drought-resisting plants are a good choice and you should be aware of dry and drought conditions.

The following are particularly suitable for gardening close to the sea.

Shelter

When living close to the sea, it’s important to erect shelterbelts to give the rest of the plants and garden some protection from strong, salt-laden winds.

Trees tolerant of full coastal exposure
Alnus glutinosa
Crataegus
Cupressus macrocarpa
Pinus nigra, Pinus radiata
Populus alba
Quercus ilex
Salix

Trees for planting slightly back from the sea
Acer platanoides
Crataegus
Pinus sylvestris
Sorbus aria
Sorbus aucuparia
Shrubs for creating shelter
Elaeagnus x ebbingei
Euonymus japonicus
Griselinia
Hippophae rhamnoides
Olearia macrodonta
Rosa rugosa
Tamarix

Shrubs

Agave
Arbutus
Arundinaria
Atriplex
Aucuba
Brachyglottis (Senecio)
Buddleia
Callistemon
Choisya
Cistus
Convolvulus cneorum
Cordyline
Cortaderia
Cotoneaster
Cytisus
Elaeagnus
Escallonia
Eucalyptus
Euonymus especially Euonymus japonicus
Fuchsia
Garrya
Genista
Griselinia
Hebe
Helianthemum
Hippophae rhamnoides
Hydrangea
Hypericum
Ilex
Juniperus
Lavandula
Lavatera
Olearia
Phlomis
Phormium
Pittosporum
Pyracantha
Rosa rugosa
Rosmarinus
Salix
Santolina
Spartium
Spiraea
Tamarix
Ulex
Viburnum, especially Viburnum tinus
Yucca
Climbers and wall shrubs
Abutilon
Jasminum nudiflorum
Passiflora
Rosa banksiae
Solanum
Sollya heterophylla

Herbaceous perennials
Acanthus
Achillea
Agapanthus
Astelia chathamica
Catananche caerulea
Centranthus rubber
Crambe cordifolia, Crambe maritime
Crinum powellii
Crocosmia
Cynara cardunculus
Erigeron glaucous
Eryngium
Erysimum
Euphorbia, especially Euphorbia characias
Geranium
Hemerocallis
Kniphofia
Leucanthemum
Limonium
Lychnis coronaria
Melianthus major
Nepeta
Rudbeckia
Schizostylis
Sedum telephium
Stachys byzantine
Verbascum bombyciferum

Summer bedding plants
Fuchsia
Gazania
Lavatera
Mesembryanthemum
Osteospermum
Pelargonium