Garden Design and Landscaping

50 Must-See Plants for Creating a Lush Coastal Garden

May 28, 2024 by

1. Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, ground cover
  • Description: Vigorous, sprawling vine with purple-pink flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 10-12
  • Tips: Provide full sun and sandy soil

2. Sea Lavender (Limonium spp.)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators
  • Description: Clump-forming perennials with papery flowers in various colors
  • Ease of Growing: Moderate
  • Zones: 8-10
  • Tips: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun

3. Beach Daisy (Arctotheca populifolia)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, attractive flowers
  • Description: Low-growing, spreading plant with bright yellow daisy-like flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

4. Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, wind-tolerant
  • Description: Dense, bushy shrub with small, lavender-blue flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Can be pruned to maintain shape and size

5. Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attractive flowers
  • Description: Low, mounding perennial with pink or white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 4-8
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

6. New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax)

  • Benefits: Architectural interest, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Tall, spiky leaves in various colors
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Requires full sun and well-drained soil

7. Creeping Boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium)

  • Benefits: Ground cover, erosion control
  • Description: Low-growing, spreading plant with small white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

8. Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii)

  • Benefits: Ground cover, drought-tolerant
  • Description: Succulent with bright pink to purple flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun

9. Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum)

  • Benefits: Architectural interest, drought-tolerant
  • Description: Spiky, blue-green leaves with steel-blue flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Moderate
  • Zones: 5-9
  • Tips: Requires full sun and well-drained soil

10. Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia)

  • Benefits: Attracts wildlife, drought-tolerant
  • Description: Tree with yellow cylindrical flower spikes
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Can tolerate poor soil and salt spray

11. Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Shrubby plant with silvery-grey foliage
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, salty soils

12. Silver Spurflower (Plectranthus argentatus)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, attractive foliage
  • Description: Soft, silvery leaves with spikes of purple flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Prefers partial shade and well-drained soil

13. Coastal Sword Sedge (Lepidosperma gladiatum)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, low maintenance
  • Description: Clumping sedge with sword-like leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Tolerates a range of soil types and conditions

14. Dune Tussock Grass (Poa poiformis)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, drought-tolerant
  • Description: Clumping grass with fine, blue-green leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

15. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attractive foliage
  • Description: Clumping grass with fine, blue-green leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 4-9
  • Tips: Requires full sun and well-drained soil

16. Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, ground cover
  • Description: Low-growing perennial with lavender-pink flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-10
  • Tips: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil

17. Agapanthus (Agapanthus spp.)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, drought-tolerant
  • Description: Clumping plant with tall flower spikes in blue or white
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil

18. Coastal Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum)

  • Benefits: Wind-tolerant, erosion control
  • Description: Shrubby tree with small white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Tolerates poor soil and salt spray

19. Beach Aster (Asteriscus maritimus)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, ground cover
  • Description: Low-growing perennial with bright yellow flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

20. Cushion Bush (Leucophyta brownii)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, attractive foliage
  • Description: Compact, rounded shrub with silvery-grey foliage
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

21. Gazania (Gazania spp.)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators
  • Description: Low-growing plant with brightly colored daisy-like flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

22. Knobby Club Rush (Ficinia nodosa)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, low maintenance
  • Description: Clumping sedge with dark green, cylindrical stems
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Tolerates a range of soil types and conditions

23. Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, ground cover
  • Description: Low-growing plant with fan-shaped blue flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

24. Coastal Daisy Bush (Olearia axillaris)

  • Benefits: Wind-tolerant, erosion control
  • Description: Shrubby plant with small white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Tolerates poor soil and salt spray

25. Dianella (Dianella spp.)

  • Benefits: Attractive foliage, low maintenance
  • Description: Clumping plant with strappy leaves and blue or white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil

26. Coastal Pigface (Carpobrotus chilensis)

  • Benefits: Ground cover, drought-tolerant
  • Description: Succulent with bright pink to purple flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun

27. Coastal Wattle (Acacia sophorae)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, nitrogen-fixing
  • Description: Shrubby plant with yellow, ball-shaped flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

28. Hardy Geranium (Geranium spp.)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, ground cover
  • Description: Clumping perennial with colorful flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 4-9
  • Tips: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil

29. Ice Plant (Delosperma spp.)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, ground cover
  • Description: Succulent with brightly colored flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 5-9
  • Tips: Requires full sun and well-drained soil

30. Sea Lavender (Limonium perezii)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators
  • Description: Clump-forming perennials with papery flowers in various colors
  • Ease of Growing: Moderate
  • Zones: 8-10
  • Tips: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun

31. Silver Beach Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Spreading grass with silvery foliage
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

32. Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, erosion control
  • Description: Tall, upright plant with bright yellow flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 3-9
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

33. Coastal Beard-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, attracts pollinators
  • Description: Shrubby plant with small white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

34. Sea Rocket (Cakile maritima)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Low-growing, spreading plant with small white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

35. Coast Saltbush (Rhagodia baccata)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Shrubby plant with silvery-grey foliage
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, salty soils

36. Pink Rockrose (Cistus albidus)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attractive flowers
  • Description: Shrubby plant with pink, papery flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

37. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators
  • Description: Woody perennial with silvery foliage and purple flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 4-9
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

38. Coastal Dock (Rumex crispus)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Herbaceous plant with long, curly leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 4-9
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, salty soils

39. Coastal Tussock Grass (Poa labillardieri)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, drought-tolerant
  • Description: Clumping grass with fine, blue-green leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

40. Sea Blite (Suaeda australis)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Shrubby plant with small, succulent leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, salty soils

41. Beach Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonoides)

  • Benefits: Edible, erosion control
  • Description: Spreading plant with succulent, green leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

42. Coastal Beard Heath (Leucopogon parviflorus)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, attracts pollinators
  • Description: Shrubby plant with small white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

43. Sea Marigold (Calendula maritima)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, erosion control
  • Description: Low-growing, spreading plant with bright yellow flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

44. Coastal Everlasting (Ozothamnus turbinatus)

  • Benefits: Low maintenance, attracts pollinators
  • Description: Shrubby plant with small white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils

45. Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Spreading grass with fine, green leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 8-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, salty soils

46. Sea Purslane (Atriplex portulacoides)

  • Benefits: Erosion control, salt-tolerant
  • Description: Spreading plant with small, succulent leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Thrives in sandy, salty soils

47. Beach Primrose (Camissonia cheiranthifolia)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, ground cover
  • Description: Low-growing plant with yellow flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 9-11
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

48. Beach Wormwood (Artemisia stelleriana)

  • Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attractive foliage
  • Description: Low-growing, spreading plant with silvery-grey leaves
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 4-8
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

49. Coastal Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

  • Benefits: Attracts pollinators, erosion control
  • Description: Upright plant with yellow and orange flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 3-9
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

50. Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)

  • Benefits: Edible, attractive foliage
  • Description: Clumping plant with large, blue-green leaves and white flowers
  • Ease of Growing: Easy
  • Zones: 4-9
  • Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Jonathan Holmes is an experienced and enthusiastic gardener who has been cultivating his green thumb for over 20 years. His love of gardening started in Scotland, where he gained a deep understanding of different plants and flowers, as well as the importance of soil composition, watering techniques, and sunlight exposure. After moving to Australia, Jonathan adapted his gardening skills to the different climate and growing conditions of his new home, experimenting with different plants and techniques to create sustainable and beautiful outdoor spaces. He is known among his friends and family for his impressive gardens and often shares his knowledge and tips with others who share his passion for gardening.

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