Shrubs for Seaside Gardens

Ceanothus, a lovely evergreen shrub with soft blue flowers usually in the spring. Ideal for Seaside gardens as Ceanothus is slightly tender and dislikes cold drying winds which burn the leaves.

Rhododendron, robust, easy to grow, most are fully hardy and tolerate of sea spray and adverse conditions. Rhododendrons come in many sizes and colours to fit into all types of garden, provided the soil is acid- growing tips

Lavatera illustrated is Barnsley Chop, lovely large flowers with many blooms over a long period. Lavatera and Mallow grow well in coastal gardens, both are slightly tender and semi evergreen - how to grow Lavatera

Escallonia is ideal for coastal gardens. Escallonia is a lovely evergreen shrub with waxy leaves and spring flowers loved by bees. Although slightly tender, Escallonia grows well in coastal gardens. Growing tips and more images.

Rosemary is an ideal evergreen shrub for a seaside garden. It is long-flowering from February to May. Rosemary is great to have to hand for cooking and is much loved by bees. Many herbs Sage, Thyme and Rosemary are happy in seaside gardens.

Hypericum, an easy to grow fully hardy evergreen/semi-evergreen shrub. A medium-sized shrub which produces lovely berries in the Autumn. More info on growing Hypericum

Philadelphus common name Mock Orange because of its lovely scented flowers. Philadelphus grows well in seaside gardens. Growing advice 

Mahonia is an evergreen shrub with bright yellow flowers in the winter. If you want to create a security hedge, especially if your seaside home is not always occupied, Mahonia will grow as a hedge and have deterring thorns.

Choisya common name Mexican Orange blossom another beautifully scented shrub which will grow happily in coastal gardens. Unlike the Philadelphus, Choisya has the added advantage of being evergreen.

 Garrya elliptica an evergreen shrub, described as slightly tender common name silk tassel bush because of the long catkin like tassels which hang from the plant during the winter months.

Hydrangea, a summer flowering deciduous shrub easy to grow and tolerant of seaside conditions. Hydrangea will also grow in partial shade and damp conditions. All about How to grow Hydrangeas. 

Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' is a tough, easy to grow shrub which is a variegated evergreen. It is unfussy about growing conditions and needs little maintenance. 

Cistus common name rock rose is ideal in a coastal garden. It is tolerant of poor soils and windy conditions. All it needs to grow well is sun. Illustrated is cistus x cyprius. There is also a pretty mauve variety purpureus. Tips on growing Cistus. 

Cornus alba, the common dogwood, is a tough shrub which will grow anywhere, including coastal gardens. It is deciduous and although often grown for its colourful winter stems; it has attractive variegated foliage as shown here planted with a Purple Cotinus.

Photinia is an ideal, evergreen shrub which enjoys the milder climate of sea side gardens away from chilly winds. It has bright red foliage in spring, followed by white flowers and berries.
You can easily grow it as a hedge or standard plant. Relatively fast growing at around 30cms or 1ft per annum it will quickly fill a space.

Detailed growing advice, including pruning and growing as a hedge.

Nepeta is an easy-to-grow shrub which is drought-tolerant and is long flowering. Aromatic, low-maintenance and loved by bees, it is ideal for a seaside garden.
Once established, you can leave it alone, and it will fend for itself. It is a good alternative to lavender, and will flower for long especially if regularly dead headed or cut back.

Tips on growing Nepeta.