Lavender, sea thrift, Japanese spindle hedging, red valerian and agapanthus: five plants that the RHS and PFAF name as tolerant of coastal wind and salt. Every plant here is in stock now, with free tracked delivery to Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which plants cope with coastal wind and salt?
Five of the plants we stock are named as coastal-tolerant by published horticultural sources: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus), sea thrift (Armeria maritima), red valerian (Centranthus ruber) and agapanthus. The RHS lists Armeria maritima and Euonymus japonicus among its top five plants for coastal gardens. PFAF states that lavender, red valerian and agapanthus tolerate maritime exposure.
| Plant | RHS hardiness | Soil | Moisture | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Sandy, loam or chalky; acid to alkaline | Dry to moist, well drained | RHS places it "slightly back from the sea", not on the front line |
| Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Clay, sandy, loam or chalky | Dry to moist | Evergreen hedging; on the RHS top five for coastal gardens |
| Sea thrift (Armeria maritima) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Sandy, loam or chalky | Dry to moist | Low cushions of pink flowers; also on the RHS top five |
| Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Sandy or loam; neutral to alkaline | Dry | Thrives in poor, free-draining soil and gravel |
| Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus) | H3 (about 0 °C) | Loam or sandy | Moist | Half-hardy: protect from frost or grow it in a pot you can bring under cover |
Hardiness ratings and soil ranges come from the RHS Plant Finder and PFAF, and each product page lists its sources. Minimum temperatures are the warm end of each RHS band, so they err on the cautious side.
Why the list is short
Many other plants cope with a seaside garden, but we include only those that a published source explicitly names. We would rather give you five dependable plants than a long list we cannot back up. Plants such as Pyracantha, creeping phlox and creeping thyme are deliberately left out: the sources we checked say they do not tolerate maritime exposure.
How wind and salt affect a coastal garden
Coastal gardens face two stresses: strong wind, and salt carried in the air. Wind dries and scorches foliage, and salt spray burns leaf edges on tender plants. The RHS advises using a windbreak that filters the wind rather than blocks it, because a solid wall creates turbulence on its sheltered side. A filtering windbreak protects an area of roughly ten times its height. The RHS also recommends a gravel or grit mulch, which suits the free-draining soil these plants prefer.
Planting and spacing
- Hedging: plant Japanese spindle at 5 to 7 plants per metre for a dense low hedge. Our hedging plants are young plants in 7 to 9 cm pots, so allow a few seasons to fill in.
- Lavender: allow about 3 to 4 plants per metre for a low hedge, in full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid heavy, wet ground.
- Sea thrift and red valerian: plant in gravelly or sandy soil in full sun and leave them alone. Both prefer poor soil to rich, fed ground.
- Timing: in Ireland, plant in autumn (October to November) or in spring (February to April). Water young plants until they are established, even the drought-tolerant ones.
Frequently asked questions
Which plants survive salt spray and wind near the sea in Ireland?
Sea thrift and Japanese spindle are on the RHS top five for coastal gardens, and PFAF names lavender, red valerian and agapanthus as tolerant of maritime exposure. All except agapanthus are rated H5 by the RHS, which suits Irish winters in most places.
Can I grow lavender by the sea?
Yes, with a caveat. Lavender is tolerant of maritime exposure, but the RHS places it slightly back from the sea rather than on the exposed front line. Give it full sun, free-draining soil and some shelter while it establishes.
Is Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus) good for a coastal hedge?
Yes. It is evergreen and listed by the RHS among the best plants for coastal gardens. It grows in clay, sandy, loam or chalky soil, and is rated H5. Plant 5 to 7 per metre.
Is agapanthus hardy enough for coastal Ireland?
Agapanthus is rated H3 by the RHS, meaning half-hardy, so it needs a sheltered position, winter protection or a pot you can move under cover. PFAF notes that it tolerates maritime exposure.
What else should I read before planting an exposed site?
See our collections of plants for exposed sites, drought-tolerant plants and plants for sandy soil, or our guide to choosing and planting a hedge in Ireland.