Best coastal plants: top choices that will thrive near the ocean
Here's what to plant in a coastal garden
If you live by the sea you'll need a selection of the best coastal plants that are adapted to thrive in these conditions. Even if you live miles from the sea many of the same plants will thrive in your garden too. All they need is well-draining soil and a sunny spot and they will romp away in gravel gardens, rock gardens, and cracks and crevices.
These are tough plants, used to battling drying winds, drought, scorching sunshine and salty air in exposed sites. You can usually throw poor soil into the mix too. This means a range of these hardy coastal plants will tolerate whatever you throw at them in your own garden.
The best coastal plants are equipped to thrive in challenging conditions. They adapt to whatever the sea climate throws at them, developing tough, leathery or hairy leaves that provide protection from salt damage and reduce moisture loss. The same set of adaptations come in useful for inland gardens where poor, sandy soil and drought are a problem.
Often low growing or with silvery leaves able to reflect light, coastal plants will be able to flourish in most flowerbed ideas despite harsher seaside conditions. Plants like sea kale and sea beet thrive on shingle shores, as do drifts of sea lavender and sea campion.
Many stalwarts of coastal gardens are from New Zealand, the Mediterranean, California and Chile. They enjoy shelter offered by a wind-breaking hedge of evergreen olearia, elaeagnus or escallonia. This enables a wider range of plants to flourish that will benefit from the protection.
By Sarah Wilson
The best coastal plants are known for their color, texture and movement as they shift and ripple in a sea breeze. Here's what to plant in a coastal garden
