A Gardener's Guide to Coastal Climates
Achieve a coastal-themed garden that thrives
Gosia Maziarz
18 July 2015
According to the Climate Council, four out of five Australians live in coastal locations. If we consider plant hardiness zones, which help establish which plants are best grown in which areas, those living in zone four – which mostly consists of a broad area of coastal Queensland, Sydney and the north coast of NSW, and stretches across the continent to Shark Bay and Geraldton in the west – are in prime spots to showcase the relaxed holiday-inspired styled that we associate with the coastal garden. This zone has warm summers and cool winters, with the majority of rainfall in summer. Following the zone guidelines will help to avoid pests and diseases, water restrictions, and premature death of plants due to high temperatures, frost or even high humidity. Ultimately, we can’t win against nature!
Cultivating an authentic coastal garden can be challenging. Locations along the coast are often windy, the air is usually salty, and the soils typically sandy and alkaline based. If you’re planning a coastal garden in Perth, you’ll also need to take into account long hot summers and more often than not, lots of limestone. Set on sandy, stony ground and exposed to the worst that weather can throw at it, the true beachside backyard usually requires some careful planning. But get it right and you’ll be rewarded with a low-maintenance seaside garden you can enjoy for many years to come.
How to create a garden by the sea
How to create a garden by the sea
Observe your surroundings
Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbours what they’ve put in their gardens and have had success with. Take note of what’s blooming in the front gardens of your street and in local parks, check out what’s growing in the wild, and talk to the experts at your local plant nursery. You could also call in a professional landscaper to make sure you’re putting the right plant in the right place.
Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbours what they’ve put in their gardens and have had success with. Take note of what’s blooming in the front gardens of your street and in local parks, check out what’s growing in the wild, and talk to the experts at your local plant nursery. You could also call in a professional landscaper to make sure you’re putting the right plant in the right place.
Go native
Coastal gardens love native species. They will be your best friend when it comes to designing the plant palette. Not only do native species thrive in testing conditions along the coast, but these beautiful battlers also make for a hardy garden that won’t wither and wilt as soon as a stiff ocean breeze blows in. Plants like round-seeded acacia (Acacia cyclops), any variety of Banksia, Correa ‘Ivory Bells’, or iconic Pandanus are the perfect additions for a thriving coastal look.
Coastal gardens love native species. They will be your best friend when it comes to designing the plant palette. Not only do native species thrive in testing conditions along the coast, but these beautiful battlers also make for a hardy garden that won’t wither and wilt as soon as a stiff ocean breeze blows in. Plants like round-seeded acacia (Acacia cyclops), any variety of Banksia, Correa ‘Ivory Bells’, or iconic Pandanus are the perfect additions for a thriving coastal look.
In addition to hardy natives, there are several other great plants that will thrive in your coastal climate. Here are some to get your garden off to a flying start: Westringia; Eremophila; grey cottonheads (Conostylis candicans); Dianella or Lomandra grasses used as fillers; pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens); olive trees (Olea europaea), especially the hedge version; Coprosma; and Hemiandra pungens.
As usual, in the world of plants, there are some great names to look out for, such as sweet Alice (Lobularia maritima); blue tongue (Melastoma malabathricum); billy buttons (Craspedia variabilis); and bacon and eggs (Eutaxia parvifolia).
As usual, in the world of plants, there are some great names to look out for, such as sweet Alice (Lobularia maritima); blue tongue (Melastoma malabathricum); billy buttons (Craspedia variabilis); and bacon and eggs (Eutaxia parvifolia).
Plant at the right time
Avoid planting in summer as the absence of rain, combined with local water restrictions, mean your plants won’t be able to grow and establish themselves. Winter, on the other hand, tends to send plants into a dormant state, so be aware that new plants probably won’t get going until the spring when the sun comes out more and the ground temperature increases. The ideal times to plant are at the end of winter coming into spring, or in the autumn before it gets too cold. Just don’t expect too much growth through the chilly months. Using supports or nets will give young plants a little extra protection while they are getting established. Also, remember that some native plants are only propagated at certain times of the year, so this may have a bearing on your planting plan if you have certain varieties in mind.
Avoid planting in summer as the absence of rain, combined with local water restrictions, mean your plants won’t be able to grow and establish themselves. Winter, on the other hand, tends to send plants into a dormant state, so be aware that new plants probably won’t get going until the spring when the sun comes out more and the ground temperature increases. The ideal times to plant are at the end of winter coming into spring, or in the autumn before it gets too cold. Just don’t expect too much growth through the chilly months. Using supports or nets will give young plants a little extra protection while they are getting established. Also, remember that some native plants are only propagated at certain times of the year, so this may have a bearing on your planting plan if you have certain varieties in mind.
Support healthy soil conditions
Improving the soil will also allow you to grow a wider variety of plants in your coastal garden. Adding soil conditioner and organic matter, for example, will help retain nutrients and water. Mulch also retains water and has the extra benefit of regulating soil temperature.
Improving the soil will also allow you to grow a wider variety of plants in your coastal garden. Adding soil conditioner and organic matter, for example, will help retain nutrients and water. Mulch also retains water and has the extra benefit of regulating soil temperature.
Choose an appropriate colour palette
Picking the right colours and shades will go a long way towards creating a beach house vibe outside. Plants in coastal gardens tend to have blue, grey or silver tones and they often have long, leathery or tiny leaves. Many also tend to be low growing. When it comes to hard landscaping, look for natural materials that are readily available. Limestone is used a lot in Perth, for example, because it’s easy to get hold of and fits perfectly with the coastal theme. Also look out for driftwood, grey-coloured timber, gravel, compacted limestone and shell, which all reflect the soft colours and tones of the coast.
Picking the right colours and shades will go a long way towards creating a beach house vibe outside. Plants in coastal gardens tend to have blue, grey or silver tones and they often have long, leathery or tiny leaves. Many also tend to be low growing. When it comes to hard landscaping, look for natural materials that are readily available. Limestone is used a lot in Perth, for example, because it’s easy to get hold of and fits perfectly with the coastal theme. Also look out for driftwood, grey-coloured timber, gravel, compacted limestone and shell, which all reflect the soft colours and tones of the coast.
Run with the theme
Boost the holiday-by-the-sea vibe with some extra landscaping elements. Pebbles, gravel, crushed seashell, driftwood and thick rope all enhance laid-back beachside style. But think big, too. Look out for old lobster pots, for example, and old-fashioned deck chairs. An upturned old rowboat adds instant atmosphere, as does a shed or summerhouse painted in the style of a cute beach hut.
Boost the holiday-by-the-sea vibe with some extra landscaping elements. Pebbles, gravel, crushed seashell, driftwood and thick rope all enhance laid-back beachside style. But think big, too. Look out for old lobster pots, for example, and old-fashioned deck chairs. An upturned old rowboat adds instant atmosphere, as does a shed or summerhouse painted in the style of a cute beach hut.
Grow plants together
If you grow your plants together, they’ll support each other and enjoy some extra protection when the wind whips up along the coast and the storms blow in.
TELL US
How have you made your coastal-style garden flourish? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
True-Blue Native Plants That Do Us Proud
Australian Native Coastal Plants Bring the Beach Home
Top 10 Plants for Minimum Effort and Maximum Impact
If you grow your plants together, they’ll support each other and enjoy some extra protection when the wind whips up along the coast and the storms blow in.
TELL US
How have you made your coastal-style garden flourish? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
True-Blue Native Plants That Do Us Proud
Australian Native Coastal Plants Bring the Beach Home
Top 10 Plants for Minimum Effort and Maximum Impact
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So disappointed in this story....tuned in for advice on my coastal garden as per head line....only to find out in the opening paragraph that it referred to “zone 4”.....so the southern regions of Australia are not coastal?! Funny, I thought that as an island we had coastal gardens throughout the different climate zones of our country