Dream of creating a stunning coastal garden but worried about battling relentless winds, salt spray, and sandy soils? Perhaps you’ve moved to a beautiful seaside location only to discover that your favourite garden plants simply won’t survive the harsh coastal conditions. Maybe you’re standing in your windswept garden, wondering if you’ll ever achieve that picture-perfect seaside paradise you’ve been dreaming of? Well I’m here to help you create a fantastic coastal garden without any plant or design drama!
Creating a spectacular coastal garden isn’t about fighting against nature – it’s about working with it. The secret lies in choosing the right plants, and there are far more tough, beautiful options than you might imagine. From elegant windbreak trees to stunning flowering shrubs that actually thrive in salt spray, the plant kingdom offers an impressive array of coastal warriors that can transform even the most challenging seaside plot into a garden paradise.
This comprehensive guide, from me Lee Burkhill (Garden Design and Plant Expert) will introduce you to 25 of the most reliable and stunning plants for coastal gardens, each chosen for its proven ability to withstand salt spray, strong winds, and challenging soils whilst delivering exceptional beauty throughout the seasons. Whether you need robust windbreak trees, elegant flowering shrubs, or striking perennials that dance in the sea breeze, you’ll find your perfect coastal companions here.
Before diving into our plant selections, it’s crucial to understand what makes coastal gardening unique. The very elements that make seaside living so appealing, fresh sea air, coastal breezes, and open skies, create specific challenges for plants.
Salt-laden winds can cause leaf scorch, dehydration, and soil salinity issues that many traditional garden plants simply cannot tolerate. However, coastal-adapted plants have evolved fascinating strategies to cope, from waxy leaf coatings to specialised salt-filtering mechanisms.
Winds can cause physical damage and rapid moisture loss. Successful coastal plants typically have flexible stems, small or needle-like leaves to reduce wind resistance, or robust root systems that anchor them firmly in sandy soils.
Making drought tolerance a crucial factor. Many coastal plants have adapted to store water in succulent leaves or develop extensive root systems to access deeper moisture reserves.
Bright sunlight means plants need to cope with higher light levels and increased UV radiation. Silver-leaved plants often excel here, their reflective surfaces protecting them from sun damage.
The good news? Once you understand these conditions, you can turn them to your advantage. Many coastal plants are naturally drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and incredibly resilient once established.
Before introducing our star plants, it’s worth noting that creating some shelter dramatically expands your planting possibilities. A well-positioned windbreak can protect more tender plants whilst reducing wind speed for a distance up to ten times the height of the barrier.
The most effective windbreaks filter rather than block wind completely. Solid barriers like walls can create turbulence, whereas permeable hedges or tree belts slow and filter coastal winds more effectively. Many of our featured trees and shrubs work excellently as windbreak plants, creating protected microclimates for more diverse planting.
Trees add the much needed height that all gardens need and beginner gardeners often miss them off. However, a few suitable trees for the size of your garden can make all the difference. They help add privacy, link up heights and offer a habitat for wildlife.
There’s nothing quite like the Monterey Pine for speed of growth and its ability to withstand salt sprays and wind. This fast-growing evergreen conifer creates impressive windbreaks and can reach substantial size quickly, making it ideal for establishing shelter in new coastal gardens that have the space. This tree gets big, but adds that wind swept look so popular with those sdandy coatsal gardens.
Why it works: Needle-like foliage reduces wind resistance, deep taproot provides excellent anchorage, and exceptional salt tolerance makes it perfect for frontline coastal planting.
Design use: Primary windbreak, shelter belt, or dramatic specimen tree Height: 20-30m Best for: All UK coastal regions, particularly exposed sites needing rapid establishment
One of the most common trees seen growing near the coast, Scots Pine exemplifies natural coastal adaptation. Its distinctive reddish bark and blue-green needles create year-round architectural interest whilst providing robust wind resistance. Again this is a big tree but once established it pretty much bullet proof. If you have the space this gorgeous specimen provides shelter for wildlife and gorgeous cracked bark as it ages.
Why it works: Native adaptation to British conditions, needle-shaped leaves prevent water loss, and ability to grow in infertile soils with deep anchoring roots.
Design use: Windbreak, specimen tree, or naturalistic woodland planting Height: 15-25m Best for: Northern and western coasts, particularly Scotland and Wales
This magnificent evergreen oak provides year-round structure and formality to coastal gardens. Its glossy, dark green leaves with pale undersides create beautiful movement in coastal breezes, and its dense growth habit makes it excellent for shelter. Even in smaller gardens this specimen can be shaped and crown lifted. I’ve used it in the tree planting layer of many small to medium sized gardens.
Why it works: Evergreen foliage provides constant protection, extremely wind-resistant, and naturally develops interesting windswept shapes.
Design use: Formal hedging, specimen tree, or shelter belt Height: 15-20m Best for: Southern and western coasts with milder winters
An incredibly hardy choice that retains its leaves through winter despite being deciduous, creating excellent wildlife habitat and year-round shelter. The fresh green spring foliage and golden autumn colour add seasonal interest. Carpinus can be prunbed to give a very skinny column shaped tree and again I’ve used these in small garden designs to brign height and a refuse for birds and wildlife. I’ve even nused them in my Chelsea show garden as well behaved specimens.
Why it works: Exceptional hardiness, wind tolerance, and ability to maintain structure through winter with persistent leaves.
Design use: Formal hedging, pleached screens, or specimen planting Height: 10-20m (easily managed through pruning) Best for: All UK coastal regions, particularly as formal hedging
These pyramid-shaped conifers bring structural elegance to coastal gardens with their blue-green foliage and neat, compact growth habit. Extremely drought-tolerant and happy in exposed locations. They can add great structure to more formal coastal gardens or rental properties if you’re not going to be around for much of the year. Jyst take care when pruning them as with most conifders they will not survive a hard oprune and dont regenerate form old wood!
Why it works: Compact growth reduces wind resistance, exceptional drought tolerance, and attractive fruits provide winter interest.
Design use: Specimen planting, formal garden structure, or container growing Height: 8-12m Best for: Smaller coastal gardens needing structured evergreen presence
Qith coastal gardens providing a barrier against the exposed winds and elements can help you then plant slightly more delicate specimens within the garden. This is where the term ‘garden windbreak’ comes in, where we as garden desiogners and horticulturalists use more hardy specimens around the egde or hedge lione of our properties to protect other plants.
The glossy coastal champion that I have used extensively in my coastal and exposed coastal designs. It’s practically bullet proof fort all levels of gardening skills and sites.
With its glossy, leathery leaves, Griselinia creates lush, vibrant screening whilst providing excellent salt tolerance. It’s become the go-to choice for coastal hedging across the UK, from Aberdeen to St Ives. I even have it here at Garden Ninja HQ and my hedge guides fgeature my Grisselinia hedge frequently!
Why it works: Exceptional salt tolerance, fast growth rate, and naturally dense habit creates effective screening.
Design use: Hedging, windbreak, or informal screening Height: 3-4m Best for: All UK coastal regions as primary screening plant
This tough evergreen creates beautiful silvery effects as its speckled leaves flutter in coastal breezes. Highly tolerant of salt spray and poor soils, with the bonus of fragrant autumn flowers. It evenb has small long pink fruits and can pretty much withstand anything you throw at it, the silvert colouration always makes me think of salt spray too!
Why it works: Silver undersides reflect light and heat, extremely wind and salt tolerant, and thrives in poor coastal soils.
Design use: Hedging, windbreak, or textural backdrop planting Height: 3-4m Best for: Eastern and southern coasts with drier conditions
This feathery coastal beauty gives not only seaside vibes but has a tropical feel to it when it flowers. This is one of my secret weapons for coastal gardens and is great for smaller spaces. I’vwe used this plant ferequently inmy Garden Rescue designs to make the contirbutors jaws drop!
This graceful shrub transforms into a feathery mass of pink flowers in late summer, creating spectacular seaside displays. Its fine, needle-like foliage gives an almost ethereal appearance whilst being incredibly tough.
Why it works: Excellent salt tolerance, drought resistance, and spectacular flowering display that thrives in sandy soils.
Design use: Informal windbreak, flowering feature, or naturalistic planting Height: 3-5m Best for: Eastern and southern coasts with free-draining soils
This native shrub is the true coastal survivor and perfectly adapted to coastal conditions, producing masses of bright orange berries on female plants. Its silvery foliage and thorny habit make it excellent for wildlife gardens. Think of it as an easier to handle version of Gorse! I also like to add this to garden designs in the place of Olive trees as its silvery foliage adds that light touch but without the delicate conditions that Olives often need. It’s useful in medittereanean garden designs as an alternatuve and more cost effective too!
Why it works: Native adaptation to sand dunes, exceptional salt tolerance, and provides food for coastal wildlife.
Design use: Wildlife hedging, informal windbreak, or naturalistic coastal planting Height: 2-4m Best for: All UK coasts, particularly for wildlife-friendly gardens
The New Zealand daisy bush is another tough silvery evergreen but this coastal gem offers abundant small, daisy-like flowers great for wildlife and a summer pop of colour. Known for its resilience and ability to form dense, wind-resistant hedging.
Why it works: Exceptional wind resistance, salt tolerance, and attractive year-round foliage with bonus summer flowering.
Design use: Coastal hedging, textural planting, or informal windbreak Height: 2-3m Best for: Southern and western coasts with milder conditions
The next plant layer for your coastal gardens are the shrubs, these form the punctuation points of any good garden design and will help give stucture to your flower beds. Those studentson on my Online Garden Design courses will know exactly why shrubns are such a valuabvle and necessary part of garden design planning.
No coastal garden is complete without lavender’s distinctive spires and heavenly fragrance. English lavender varieties are particularly hardy and long-lived, thriving in sunny, well-drained coastal conditions and as long as you follow my lavender pruning guide they will survive for 7-10 years in neat bushy forms.
Why it works: Aromatic foliage deters pests, drought tolerance, and Mediterranean origins provide perfect coastal adaptation.
Design use: Low hedging, sensory gardens, or informal cottage garden planting Height: 0.5-1m Best for: All UK coasts in sunny, well-drained positions
The coastal cottage garden favourite is often overlooked for exposed gardens but its surprisingly tough and you will see it in the windswept gardens of the Scottish coasts for this very reason!
Surprisingly, hydrangeas thrive in coastal conditions, particularly the mophead and lacecap varieties. Their large flower heads create spectacular summer displays and the sea air seems to intensify their colours.
Why it works: Natural adaptation to high humidity, wind tolerance, and ability to thrive in coastal conditions better than many expect.
Design use: Cottage garden planting, specimen shrubs, or mixed borders Height: 1-2m Best for: All UK coasts, particularly in partially sheltered positions
The reliable evergreen flowerer is another of my design favourites for low fuss gardens. These evergreens providfe not only supoer dense glossy gteenery but a haven for wildlife when used in new builds gardens,w heer often there isnt’t much else going on in neighbouring gardens!
This tough evergreen produces masses of small, tubular flowers in pink, orange, red, or white throughout summer. Excellent for creating flowering hedges that provide year-round structure.
Why it works: Evergreen foliage provides constant structure, excellent wind tolerance, and long flowering season.
Design use: Flowering hedges, mixed borders, or informal screening Height: 2-3m Best for: Southern and western coasts with milder winters
The tough coastal rose which is nearly always missed out of the top roses guides and blogs which makes me incrediblky sad. The dog rose is often ignored and left out but its an amazing coastal shrub that really deserves more attention! I’ts neon pink flowers in summer are not to be missed and it doesn’t even need pruning like lots of cultivar and double bloom roses!
This hardy rose variety can withstand salt spray and sandy soils whilst producing fragrant flowers followed by large, colourful hips. Much tougher than traditional roses in coastal conditions.
Why it works: Natural sand dune adaptation, exceptional hardiness, and provides flowers, hips, and autumn colour.
Design use: Informal hedging, wildlife gardens, or mixed coastal borders Height: 1.5-2m Best for: All UK coasts, particularly for wildlife-friendly gardens
The evergreen architectural shrub is a favourite of new ghardeners across the country. It’d a tought super slow gorwing evergreen blob that tolerates abuse. But it’s more than just a lump fo green it vcan createe great form in exposed gardens as its from new zealand originally, like Grisellinia.
This versatile evergreen thrives in coastal conditions with its glossy foliage and fragrant spring flowers. Excellent for creating structured, formal plantings that maintain year-round appeal.
Why it works: Thick, waxy leaves resist salt damage, architectural form, and fragrant flowers add seasonal interest.
Design use: Formal gardens, specimen planting, or structural hedging Height: 2-4m Best for: Southern and western coasts with milder winters
Ok the next layer of plants that all vcoastal gardens need is the beautioful herbaceous layer that flowoers and then dies back each winter.This layer keeps the garden changing and evolving throughout the year and theres some amazingly resilient taller specimens even for wind battered coastal gardens.
This spikey sensation often gets gapss in my planting plans and my garde here at Garden Ninja HQ. They look so alient when they flower from June to September.
With its distinctive thistle-like appearance and metallic blue-silver colouring, sea holly epitomises coastal planting. Its architectural form and exceptional drought tolerance make it perfect for gravel gardens.
Why it works: Native coastal adaptation, striking architectural form, and exceptional drought and salt tolerance.
Design use: Gravel gardens, architectural borders, or naturalistic coastal planting Height: 0.6-1m Best for: All UK coasts, particularly in well-drained positions
The self-seeding survivor is often seen growing in the cracks in walls and in the most barren seas side towns, so why not make the most of its tenacity and include it in your own coastal garden planmting plans?
This cheerful perennial produces masses of fragrant flowers in red, pink, or white whilst thriving in the poorest coastal soils. Its ability to self-seed makes it excellent for naturalising. Once you’ve introduced a few you will have this plant for ever, it will never leave! So go with it Ninjas.
Why it works: Thrives in poor soils, exceptional drought tolerance, and long flowering season with minimal care.
Design use: Naturalistic planting, Mediterranean gardens, or informal borders Height: 0.6-1m Best for: All UK coasts, particularly in sunny, well-drained positions
These striking plants form large clumps with tall stems topped by drumstick-shaped flower heads in brilliant blues and whites. They’re perfectly tolerant of coastal conditions and excel in containers. They love being constrained and contained in rocky gardens or planters so go with it. Their large leaves add texture even in the winter months.
Why it works: Natural tolerance of coastal conditions, dramatic flowering display, and excellent container performance.
Design use: Container planting, mixed borders, or architectural focal points Height: 0.8-1.2m Best for: Southern and western coasts, may need winter protection further north
Finally I can wax lyrical about why this is a brilliant vcoastal plant and beginner specimen. It needs nop care and will quickly bulk up forming strap like leaves from April to October befoire ther eal fireworks start, their mid july flowers!
This vigorous perennial produces arching stems of brilliant orange-red flowers that create spectacular late summer displays. Extremely hardy and spreads well in coastal conditions. Honestly, if you haven’t seen these before you’re in for a plant treat.
Why it works: Exceptional hardiness, vigorous spreading habit, and brilliant flower colour that stands out in coastal settings.
Design use: Naturalising, mixed borders, or dramatic colour displays Height: 1-1.2m Best for: All UK coasts, though may become invasive in ideal conditions
The cushion of coastal pink was one of the first plants as a child that I grew. I loved the tiny oink flowers and fact it could easily survive in dry containers and small spaces.
This native coastal plant forms neat cushions of grass-like foliage topped with globe-shaped pink flowers. Perfect for rock gardens, coastal paths, or anywhere you need low, drought-tolerant colour.
Why it works: Native coastal adaptation, extremely drought tolerant, and forms attractive, maintenance-free clumps.
Design use: Rock gardens, coastal path planting, or low-maintenance ground cover Height: 0.2-0.3m Best for: All UK coasts in sunny, well-drained positions
The next layer that I always encourage new gardeners to include are the taller herbceous perennials in the formof ornamental grassesd. These help brign texture annd movement to any sized garden and can create beautiful dynamic flower beds.
If you want a slug proof ornamental grass that has silvery tones and is fuss free then this is the species for youi Ninja. I have used it countless times and it never fails to impress guests. The best part is you can leave it right through the winter and it continues to add structure before you prune it down to ther ground each February.
This elegant grass provides height, movement, and seasonal interest with its arching foliage and fluffy autumn seed heads that catch the light beautifully in coastal gardens.
Why it works: Wind tolerance, autumn interest with seed heads, and graceful movement in coastal breezes.
Design use: Screening, specimen planting, or naturalistic prairie-style gardens Height: 1.5-2.5m Best for: All UK coasts as background or specimen planting
The architectural New Zealand flax is not my favourite plant, I’ll be honest, I oncve spent an entire week removing them from a clients garden and its been burnt into my memory bank. Even though this memory has scared me they are excellent coastal plants so I cannoy ignore them for you!
These dramatic, sword-like plants bring instant structure and exotic appeal to coastal gardens. Available in various colours from green to bronze, purple, and variegated forms.
Why it works: Extremely wind and salt tolerant, architectural form provides year-round structure, and excellent container performance.
Design use: Architectural focal points, container planting, or modern garden structure Height: 1-3m depending on variety Best for: All UK coasts, particularly in modern or architectural garden designs
This compact ornamental grass forms neat, silvery-blue mounds that provide perfect textural contrast in coastal plantings. Excellent for edging, rock gardens, or mass planting. JUst make sure you rake through it each autumn to remove old growth so it fdoesn’t get congested.
Why it works: Compact growth, exceptional drought tolerance, and attractive blue-silver colouring complements coastal settings.
Design use: Edging, rock gardens, or textural ground cover Height: 0.2-0.4m Best for: All UK coasts in sunny, well-drained positions
For those coastal gardens with walls or fences its always a nice touch to grow some climbing plants up them. Not only does it green up vertical surfaces but ic an help provcuide a habitat for honeybees, birds and other wildlife.
This surprisingly hardy climber produces exotic, intricate flowers followed by orange fruits. In coastal areas, it can remain semi-evergreen, providing year-round coverage for walls and fences. I bet you didn’t think a Passion flower would be making this list!
Why it works: Greater hardiness in coastal areas, spectacular exotic flowers, and vigorous growth for quick coverage.
Design use: Wall coverage, pergola climbing, or exotic garden features Height: 5-8m Best for: Southern and western coasts with milder winters
Often overlooked but incredibly valuable, ivy provides essential year-round coverage for unsightly walls whilst being completely unbothered by salt spray or coastal winds. Let’s not miss out the most obvious and worth while climbher for any coastal or exposed planting scheme!
Why it works: Complete salt and wind tolerance, evergreen coverage, and excellent wildlife value for coastal birds and insects.
Design use: Wall coverage, ground cover, or wildlife garden planting Height: Unlimited climbing potential Best for: All UK coasts where evergreen coverage is needed
Creating stunning coastal gardens requires thoughtful planning that works with natural conditions rather than against them. Here are key strategies that professional garden designers use for seaside success.
By creating multiple levels of protection. Start with robust windbreak trees, follow with screening shrubs, and finish with ornamental plantings in the protected areas behind. This creates diverse microclimates within your garden.
Informal drifts of ornamental grasses, self-seeding perennials, and naturally shaped shrubs create gardens that feel integrated with their coastal environment.
By incorporating gravel mulches, driftwood features, and stone elements that complement the coastal setting whilst providing excellent drainage for your plants. I always think more planting to hardlandscaping is the better design choice.
Since coastal gardens are often enjoyed throughout the year. Evergreen structure plants, ornamental grasses with winter seed heads, and shrubs with attractive bark or berries ensure your garden never looks dormant.
Success with coastal plants often depends as much on establishment techniques as plant selection. Here are the professional secrets that ensure your coastal garden thrives from day one.
Coastal gardens offer unique opportunities for year-round beauty, with the changing seasons bringing different aspects of plants to the fore.
Spring brings fresh growth and early flowers, with the clean coastal air making colours appear particularly vibrant. This is when structural evergreens really earn their keep, providing backdrop for seasonal displays.
Summer is showcase time, with salt-tolerant perennials and shrubs producing spectacular displays that often outperform their inland cousins in the favourable coastal conditions.
Autumn extends later in coastal areas due to maritime influence, allowing late-flowering plants like tamarisk and sedums to shine whilst ornamental grasses develop their characteristic seed heads.
Winter reveals the bones of the garden, when evergreen structure plants prove their worth and the architectural forms of plants shaped by coastal winds become garden features in their own right.
My comprehensive online garden design courses will transform you from someone who’s battling the elements to a confident designer who creates coastal gardens that are the envy of the neighbourhood. Whether you’re designing your own seaside sanctuary or dreaming of a career helping other coastal dwellers create their perfect outdoor spaces, these courses give you everything you need.
In just a few hours of study (at your own pace, from your own home), you’ll learn:
Garden Design Examples for Small Gardens: 30 Design Templates & Planting Plans: In this online gardening course, I’ll walk you through 30 fantastic garden designs, explaining the logic behind the layout, the plant choices, and take-home tips for applying them in your own garden.
Learn how to transform and design your own garden with Lee Burkhills crash course in garden design. Over 5 hours Lee will teach you how to design your own dream garden. Featuring practical design examples, planting ideas and video guides. Learn how to design your garden in one weekend!
Garden Design for Beginners Online Course: If you want to make the career jump to becoming a garden designer or to learn how to design your own garden, this is the beginner course for you. Join me, Lee Burkhill, an award-winning garden designer, as I train you in the art of beautiful garden design.
From absolute beginner to confident intermediate in just one weekend!
No expensive college courses, no years of study, no geographical constraints. Just practical, proven techniques taught by an award-winning garden designer who’s spent years perfecting coastal garden solutions.
Ready to create the coastal garden of your dreams?
Explore Garden Ninja’s Online Courses starting from just £29 – £199 start designing coastal gardens that actually work with nature, not against it.
Because life’s too short for gardens that just survive when they could be thriving!
Whether you’re creating shelter with Monterey Pine and Griselinia, adding summer spectacle with Agapanthus and Crocosmia, or bringing year-round structure with Phormium and Pittosporum, you’re working with nature’s own coastal specialists. These plants have spent millions of years perfecting their seaside survival strategies – all you need to do is give them the right conditions and step back to enjoy the show.
Your coastal garden adventure starts here. Choose your favourites from our 25 champions, plan your planting strategy, and prepare to discover that gardening by the sea offers some of the most rewarding and spectacular results in the gardening world. The salt air that once seemed like your enemy will become your garden’s greatest asset, creating a unique and beautiful space that celebrates its spectacular seaside setting.
Happy Gardening Ninjas!
JOIN THE NINJAS
Be the first in line for new Guides, Discount codes and Offers
