If you live right on the beachfront, check out our Extreme Coastal category for hardier coastal plants

Don’t think that just because you live on the coast that your options are limited. It’s surprising how many plants thrive in coastal conditions. But if you’re stuck, Chris specialises in coastal garden designs, and can provide you with a plan and layout. Just visit our Garden Designs page for details and booking information.

The plants grown in coastal gardens are easy to care for and have a natural and casual feel. The key to success is proper preparation of the area for maximum performance of the plants, as sandy soil is the main enemy in these conditions. Water and nutrients will drain straight through the soil.

Key Features:

Silver, blues and grey foliage and flowers, resembling the sea
Soft, natural tones: sand, sandstone, rocks, grey timbers, driftwood
Often resembles the randomisation of a cottage garden
Low growing, shapely shrubs (often dwarf varieties) with a select few structural feature trees

Maintenance

One of the main advantages of having a coastal garden design in Australia is the ease of maintenance. As coastal gardens can handle even the harshest conditions of the coast, they require very less maintenance. The sandy soil and wind are the two biggest issues near the coast. The soil allows all water and nutrients to drain away rapidly whilst the wind dries the plants out, blowing the foliage and branches around, testing their strength!