| Living near the sea or in a coastal region may | | | | of sand, sea, and wind, you can move into some |
| exemplify your dream lifestyle, but it's no doubt that | | | | more colorful choices like hydrangeas, Montauk |
| the harsh and particular conditions of the sea-side | | | | daisies, and butterfly bush. These plants are still quite |
| landscape make it hard for things to grow. But, plant | | | | hardy and can tolerate some exposure, but they |
| growth is certainly not impossible - you'll just want to | | | | shouldn't be planted right on the shoreline. |
| know what grows best in the land of salt and sea | | | | Here are some other suggestions for hardy seaside |
| before you embark on your landscaping plans. You'll | | | | plants to discover and explore in your landscaping |
| also want to pay particular attention to layout, and | | | | plans: |
| hardscape elements that can really help pull your | | | | Ceanothus: This evergreen sports attractive blue |
| landscape design together. | | | | flowers and does best in rather dry soil. |
| You'll first need to determine what type or types of | | | | Cypress: Very suitable as a wind-break or privacy |
| soil's you're dealing with. If it's predominately sand | | | | screen. |
| than you'll have to accept that you'll be limited to | | | | Pines: Good evergreens for screening or wind-break |
| what you can plant and grow - unless you're | | | | options. Can be cultivated or left to grow willy nilly. |
| industrious enough to want to lay yards, and yards | | | | Mugho Pines: These are well adapted to salt water |
| of top soil. Remember that even though certain | | | | areas and they offer a unique texture to your |
| plants will grow in sandy soils you'll have to be on top | | | | garden. |
| of watering like never before. | | | | Arbutus Unedo: The broad evergreen leaves of this |
| In sandier soils some plants to investigate include: | | | | tree make for an attractive textural element. The |
| bearberry, yucca, memorial rose, trumpet vine, | | | | tree will also flower and be followed by a decorative |
| fragrant sumac, beach plum, rose rugosa, Austrian | | | | fruit reminiscent of strawberries- hence its common |
| pine and tamarisk. One recommendation might be to | | | | name, "strawberry tree". |
| do an image search of these plants on the internet - | | | | Azalea Mollis: This is a deciduous azalea that requires |
| you can then start to get a visual picture of what | | | | some protection from direct salt spray. It blooms |
| you like. Begin by building a folder that you can use | | | | brilliant flowers in white, pinks, and in many different |
| as a resource when you're ready to purchase and | | | | shades of red. This is a lovely spring time color |
| plant. | | | | addition to any seaside garden. |
| When you do begin planting, try not to plant | | | | English Lavender: This is one of the hardiest and |
| everything at once. Experiment, and try some | | | | most widely planted species. It has fragrant light to |
| species to see how they adjust and grow. You'll start | | | | dark purple blooms and comes in many varieties. |
| to get a good idea of what has potential to thrive in | | | | Rockrose: This is a shrub that boasts showy spring |
| your soil and in your environment. In all cases, you'll | | | | to summer flowers in white or lavender. |
| always want to work with the elements and not | | | | Once you've chosen some plants and an area to |
| against them. This is key to making your seaside | | | | landscape, you can begin to think about adding |
| landscaping a success. You really can't fight with the | | | | hardscape elements. Meandering stone or crushed |
| ocean... so "go with the flow" is a good rule for a | | | | sea shell pathways, well placed river rocks, |
| seaside "green thumb". | | | | sandstone, or granite, an arbor built of drift wood, a |
| Another good tip is to explore your neighborhood | | | | glass ball- these sorts of additions will tie in your |
| and to make a list of what you like and what grows | | | | landscaping and help to create height, dimension and |
| well. Talk to your neighbors and discover their | | | | texture. Think about placing a bench somewhere to |
| seaside gardening trials and tribulations. Consult books | | | | take advantage of a beautiful view. You might even |
| and ask specialists before you purchase your plants. | | | | add some silver bells and cockle shells... This is where |
| Generally plants that have a silvery gray color like | | | | you can let your inner artist explore. |
| Russian Sage and lambs ear are able to better | | | | Take your time, have patience, educate yourself on |
| tolerate sea spray and wind. | | | | all the seaside garden possibilities and you'll be sure to |
| If you have an area further away from the elements | | | | create a lovely haven by the sea. |