Mary, Mary Quite Contrary: How Does a Seaside Garden Grow?!!

Living near the sea or in a coastal region may exemplify your dream lifestyle, but it's no doubt that the harsh and particular conditions of the sea-side landscape make it hard for things to grow. But, plant growth is certainly not impossible - you'll just want to know what grows best in the land of salt and sea before you embark on your landscaping plans. You'll also want to pay particular attention to layout, and hardscape elements that can really help pull your landscape design together.

You'll first need to determine what type or types of soil's you're dealing with. If it's predominately sand than you'll have to accept that you'll be limited to what you can plant and grow - unless you're industrious enough to want to lay yards, and yards of top soil. Remember that even though certain plants will grow in sandy soils you'll have to be on top of watering like never before.

In sandier soils some plants to investigate include: bearberry, yucca, memorial rose, trumpet vine, fragrant sumac, beach plum, rose rugosa, Austrian pine and tamarisk. One recommendation might be to do an image search of these plants on the internet - you can then start to get a visual picture of what you like. Begin by building a folder that you can use as a resource when you're ready to purchase and plant.

When you do begin planting, try not to plant everything at once. Experiment, and try some species to see how they adjust and grow. You'll start to get a good idea of what has potential to thrive in your soil and in your environment. In all cases, you'll always want to work with the elements and not against them. This is key to making your seaside landscaping a success. You really can't fight with the ocean... so "go with the flow" is a good rule for a seaside "green thumb".

Another good tip is to explore your neighborhood and to make a list of what you like and what grows well. Talk to your neighbors and discover their seaside gardening trials and tribulations. Consult books and ask specialists before you purchase your plants.

Generally plants that have a silvery gray color like Russian Sage and lambs ear are able to better tolerate sea spray and wind.

If you have an area further away from the elements of sand, sea, and wind, you can move into some more colorful choices like hydrangeas, Montauk daisies, and butterfly bush. These plants are still quite hardy and can tolerate some exposure, but they shouldn't be planted right on the shoreline.

Here are some other suggestions for hardy seaside plants to discover and explore in your landscaping plans:

Ceanothus: This evergreen sports attractive blue flowers and does best in rather dry soil.

Cypress: Very suitable as a wind-break or privacy screen.

Pines: Good evergreens for screening or wind-break options. Can be cultivated or left to grow willy nilly.

Mugho Pines: These are well adapted to salt water areas and they offer a unique texture to your garden.

Arbutus Unedo: The broad evergreen leaves of this tree make for an attractive textural element. The tree will also flower and be followed by a decorative fruit reminiscent of strawberries- hence its common name, "strawberry tree".

Azalea Mollis: This is a deciduous azalea that requires some protection from direct salt spray. It blooms brilliant flowers in white, pinks, and in many different shades of red. This is a lovely spring time color addition to any seaside garden.

English Lavender: This is one of the hardiest and most widely planted species. It has fragrant light to dark purple blooms and comes in many varieties.

Rockrose: This is a shrub that boasts showy spring to summer flowers in white or lavender.

Once you've chosen some plants and an area to landscape, you can begin to think about adding hardscape elements. Meandering stone or crushed sea shell pathways, well placed river rocks, sandstone, or granite, an arbor built of drift wood, a glass ball- these sorts of additions will tie in your landscaping and help to create height, dimension and texture. Think about placing a bench somewhere to take advantage of a beautiful view. You might even add some silver bells and cockle shells... This is where you can let your inner artist explore.

Take your time, have patience, educate yourself on all the seaside garden possibilities and you'll be sure to create a lovely haven by the sea.