Coastal plants that cope with anything

Exposure, sea spray and biting winds are no match for these gems, so they’ll thrive in any garden!

Erigeron ‘Seabreeze’

This aptly-named spreading evergreen has pretty pink daisies all summer – unlike the well-known E. karvinskianus, which is white with pink tinges. A true coastal plant for moist but well-drained soil, let it creep into cracks and enjoy the sunshine, with no maintenance needed.

Armeria maritima

Sea thrift is a sturdy, hardy plant for all gardens and all soils. It’ll thrive in poor soils and, if left alone or even neglected, it’ll surprise you by coming back with its bobbing pink flowers time and time again. Copes with salty winds and exposure, dry soil and hot sunshine.

Lychnis coronaria

Rose campion is a striking wildflower – it’s delicate but extremely hardy and definitely not shy and muted. Silvery stems and leaves sit under bright magenta pink blooms – which would feature well in any border, particularly in a sunny, exposed spot with dry soil.

Eryngium maritimum

A native coastal wildflower and a real beauty for any garden with its spiny blue, architectural thistle blooms. Due to its origin, it’ll perform anywhere. If it can survive on our coasts, it can live in our gardens! Sandy soil and exposure sit well with this sea holly.

Verbascum bombyciferum

A glorious giant mullein that can reach around 2m tall. Grey-green clusters of leaves sit below a tall, woolly stem covered in lovely yellow verbascum flowers. No staking needed for this hardy biennial, and it’ll be happy in full sun and moist but well-drained soil.