9 plants for coastal gardens
Echium pininana AGM
The hairy leaves of the giant echium help plants withstand tough environments, but mild winters are needed for two-three years while rosettes of growth reach flowering size, sending up tall panicles. H: 12x3ft (3.6mx90cm).
Erigeron glaucus ‘Sea Breeze’
A Californian beach aster whose succulent stems of glaucous leaves are perfect for drought-tolerant, weedsmothering mats of growth lit by lilac-pink daisies through summer. Divide or make cuttings in spring. H: 12x18in (30x45cm).
Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius ‘Silver Jubilee’
An upright Australian evergreen with silvery needle-like foliage and clusters of small white flowers opening from red buds in summer. HxS: 6x4ft (1.8mx1.2m).
Geranium palmatum AGM
The Canary Island geranium is second only to the more tender G. maderense in terms of size and presence. Evergreen plants withstand temperatures of about 23°F (-5°C) and bloom during summer. H&S: 3ft (90cm).
Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri ‘Cream Delight’ AGM
New Zealand flaxes perform well by the sea but can be enormous. This one is modest in size, with evergreen, swordlike leaves of green with cream centres and smart maroon rims. H&S: 3ft (90cm).
Olearia x scilloniensis ‘Master Michael’ AGM
A rounded evergreen with grey-green leaves above and palely felted beneath, plus purple daisies. Hardy to 14°F (-10°C) on well-drained soils. H&S: 6ft (1.8m).
Glaucium flavum
The yellow horned poppy is best raised from seed sown direct in the soil in autumn or spring. Large yellow flowers open in summer against blue-green leaves. Collect seed from the long pods. H: 2x1ft (60x30cm).
Agapanthus ‘Silver Mist’
African lilies grow well in beachside locations (think of A. praecox subsp. orientalis on Madeira and Tresco). This semi-evergreen with shimmering silveryblue flowers withstands cold winters in our heavy soil. H: 3x2ft (90x60cm).
Pinus heldreichii ‘Compact Gem’ AGM
An attractive but small, slow-growing, hardy pine tree ideal for a container or planting out. Gradually makes a rounded cone-shaped plant with long, bright green needles. HxS: 10x6ft (3x1.8m).