Perennials for the Beach
Transforming your barren, coastal home landscape into a seaside oasis can be an impossible task to imagine undertaking. The constant challenges of poor, sandy soil, shifting dunes, glaring sun, strong winds, and salt spray could be enough for many to throw in the towel. Paying attention to the microclimates around your coastal nook can help to create the perfect perennial garden. The plants in the following list are adapted to survive in well-draining, droughty soils, but it is always wise to improve the soil with healthy topsoil and compost, as well as using additional drip irrigation while the plants are getting established. Mulching the garden with compost, seaweed, or other organic material will seal the soil against moisture loss, erosion and continue to improve your garden’s bloom. These plants will benefit being in a position sheltered from the wind, such as a nearby fence, wall hedgerow, or the leeward side of a sand dune. A combination of smart garden techniques and sturdy perennials that thrive in tough seaside conditions allows you to garden against all odds in the surf and spray of America’s coastal villages.
Achillea tomemtosa – Yarrow
Alcea – Hollyhock
Allium schnittlauch – Ornamental onion
Anthemis kelawayi – Golden Marquerite
Armeria maritime – Sea Thrift
Atemesia schmidtiana – Silvermound
Aster spp. – Asters
Bergenia cordifolia – Heart-leaf Bergenia
Centaurea – Bachelor Buttons
Chrysanthemum. Pacificum – Silver-edged Chrysanthemum
Dianthus species – Dianthus
Echinops ritro – Globe Thistle
Erigeron spp. – Fleabane Daisy
Eryngium spp. – Sea Holly
Euphorbia spp. – Cushion Spurge
Gaillardia spp. – Blanketflower
Gypsophilia spp. – Baby’s Breath
Hemerocallis – Daylilies
Heuchera sanq. – Coral bells
Iris germanica – Bearded Iris
Iris diberica – Siberian Iris
Kniphofia hybrids – Red Hot Poker
Limonium spp. – Statice
Linum spp. – Flax
Oenothera spp. – Evening Primrose
Oputunia spp. – Prickly Pear
Penstemon spp. – Bearded Tongue
Perovskia atriplicifolia – Russian Sage
Potentilla spp. – Cinquefoil
Rudbeckia spp. – Black-eyed Susan
Sedum spp. – Stonecrop
Sempervivium – Hen’s and Chicks
Stachys spp. – Lamb’s Ear
Veronica spp. – Veronica
Elymus glaucus – Blue Dune Grass
Cortaderia – Pampass Grass
Penniseteum spp. – Fountain Grass
Panicum virgatum – Switch Grass