Tony Dickerson problem solves
Q What plants are best to put in my coastal garden? Julia Barclay, Shoreham, West Sussex A Coastal plantings need to be doubly tough to survive both wind and salt spray. Providing windbreaks in the form of woody plants, hedges or even windbreak netting will widen the range of plants that can be grown. With the former it may take a year or two to establish the shelter but, while not pretty, posts and windbreak netting gives immediate protection, allowing other planting to go ahead. It’s not advisable to use solid structures, such as walls or fences as these can create turbulence and add to the problems. A windbreak can reduce wind on its leeward side for a distance of 10 times its height. Once a barrier has been established it may be possible to grow a surprising range of coastal-tolerant plants. Berberis is particularly good for cold situations exposed to salt winds, as are Lonicera pileata, pyracanthas and ornamental elders such as Sambucus racemosa. Depending on space, dwarf pines ( Pinus mugo), junipers ( Juniperus scopulorum), spindle bush (euonymus), ornamental hawthorns and daisy bush ( Olearia macrodonta) should make a reliable woody backdrop for more seasonal colour. If you can get some structural planting established you might then start to introduce plants that need a little more shelter such as strawberry tree ( Arbutus unedo), hollies and Griselinia littoralis.
For perennial plantings the silver-leaved Stachys byzantina and Lychnis coronaria are pretty, even when not in flower. Kniphofia, libertia, eryngium and crocosmia will create a more exotic feel, whereas euphorbias, erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’, hardy geraniums and leucanthemum offer a more English garden look.
Mulching with shingle, flint, grit or gravel will provide drainage around plants stems while conserving moisture at the roots and aid the cultivation of a wider range of plants.
Choose plants that cope with local conditions. The Waterwise Garden on Worthing beach at West Parade is a good source of inspiration. Coastal plants have to be tough but they’ll still need watering in dry spells during the first summer or two to get their roots established.