Australian Native Coastal Plants Bring the Beach Home
Capturing the essence of a beach-inspired garden, these plants are unique, resilient and strikingly beautiful in any setting
There is a uniqueness about Australian beach gardens that is harsh yet strikingly beautiful at the same time. They aren’t lush or delicate, they don’t require lots of water or maintenance and they shouldn’t be confused with tropical. It is the dry, resilient environment of the Australian coastline we love and want to replicate in our home gardens.
Adapted to survive some of the most extreme growing conditions, native coastal plants are the essence of a beach-inspired garden. Here we look at which species capture that essence the best and are suited to suburban garden life.
Adapted to survive some of the most extreme growing conditions, native coastal plants are the essence of a beach-inspired garden. Here we look at which species capture that essence the best and are suited to suburban garden life.
When we think of a beach garden there are some species that instantly spring to mind, but there are a lot more that are equally beachy. To get a good idea of what is local or indigenous to your area, try contacting your local council for a list of plants are that are found in the coastal zones near you.
6 KEY COASTAL PLANTS
Pandanus
Nothing says an Australian beach quiet like the pandanus. Its sculptural trunk, thick prop roots, strappy leaves and stunning pineapple-like seedpods make it an outstanding feature tree. There are several varieties available, depending on where you live, and it is best to get the one local to your area. Suited to sandy and rocky soils the pandanus is adaptable to a range of inland soils as well.
Pandanus
Nothing says an Australian beach quiet like the pandanus. Its sculptural trunk, thick prop roots, strappy leaves and stunning pineapple-like seedpods make it an outstanding feature tree. There are several varieties available, depending on where you live, and it is best to get the one local to your area. Suited to sandy and rocky soils the pandanus is adaptable to a range of inland soils as well.
She-oak
The she-oak (Casuarina equisetifolia) is often found above the sand dunes. Growing to about 10 metres, this graceful tree has thin leaves that make a beautiful whispering sound when the wind blows thorough them. They create a thick mulched layer below and their seedpods make a nice display when collected in a bowl. They look best when planted in groups or long lines, but equally make a nice feature tree where their delicate form isn’t overcrowded by other plants.
The she-oak (Casuarina equisetifolia) is often found above the sand dunes. Growing to about 10 metres, this graceful tree has thin leaves that make a beautiful whispering sound when the wind blows thorough them. They create a thick mulched layer below and their seedpods make a nice display when collected in a bowl. They look best when planted in groups or long lines, but equally make a nice feature tree where their delicate form isn’t overcrowded by other plants.
Gum trees
Gums might not be found in sand dunes, but they are an integral part of stabilising the land behind the dunes. Yet, for most, the notion of planting a tree in your garden that grows up to 45 metres high is enough to give you nightmares. Luckily, there are a lot of gums that grow to a modest 10-15 metres making them excellent upper-storey plants to provide shade and cooling breezes.
Plunkett Mallee (Eucalyptus curtisii) is an attractive small gum tree that grows to seven metres and features beautiful white flowers. With simple plantings below them, gums can provide a nice structural element to a garden.
Gums might not be found in sand dunes, but they are an integral part of stabilising the land behind the dunes. Yet, for most, the notion of planting a tree in your garden that grows up to 45 metres high is enough to give you nightmares. Luckily, there are a lot of gums that grow to a modest 10-15 metres making them excellent upper-storey plants to provide shade and cooling breezes.
Plunkett Mallee (Eucalyptus curtisii) is an attractive small gum tree that grows to seven metres and features beautiful white flowers. With simple plantings below them, gums can provide a nice structural element to a garden.
Pigface and spinifex
Overlooked for the bigger feature trees, coastal grasses and ground covers are the first to colonise the dunes, creating an environment for the larger plants to establish. Pigface or angular pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) is a hardy spreading succulent that grows in sand, but also a range of soils, and has pretty bright pink flowers.
Beach spinifex (Spinifex sericeus) goes hand in hand with pigface and can be easily grown in home gardens. The grey leaves and spreading habit look great when “mulched” with white beach sand.
Overlooked for the bigger feature trees, coastal grasses and ground covers are the first to colonise the dunes, creating an environment for the larger plants to establish. Pigface or angular pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) is a hardy spreading succulent that grows in sand, but also a range of soils, and has pretty bright pink flowers.
Beach spinifex (Spinifex sericeus) goes hand in hand with pigface and can be easily grown in home gardens. The grey leaves and spreading habit look great when “mulched” with white beach sand.
Grass trees
While some may think that the grass tree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii) is more of an outback plant, it is commonly found in eucalypt forests that skirt the Australian coastline and grows very well in sandy or stony soils. When combined with other beach plants, the grass tree gives a very Australian feel to a garden and, planted en masse, looks striking.
While some may think that the grass tree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii) is more of an outback plant, it is commonly found in eucalypt forests that skirt the Australian coastline and grows very well in sandy or stony soils. When combined with other beach plants, the grass tree gives a very Australian feel to a garden and, planted en masse, looks striking.
Coast rosemary
Great-looking when left in its naturally open loose ball shape, Coast rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) looks fantastic when clipped to form a tighter ball and can add a bit of order to surrounding chaos. This tough plant is an over-achiever and performs very well in a wide range of conditions. It has also been bred into many forms including dwarf and variegated varieties.
Great-looking when left in its naturally open loose ball shape, Coast rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) looks fantastic when clipped to form a tighter ball and can add a bit of order to surrounding chaos. This tough plant is an over-achiever and performs very well in a wide range of conditions. It has also been bred into many forms including dwarf and variegated varieties.
GET THE LOOK
A beach at home
To instantly relax all you need to do is dig your toes into soft white sand. Since coastal plants are already adapted to growing in sand, why not bring that feeling home with your own beach?Instead of mulching with the usual suspects, sand will showcase your garden and make you feel on holiday all year round.
A beach at home
To instantly relax all you need to do is dig your toes into soft white sand. Since coastal plants are already adapted to growing in sand, why not bring that feeling home with your own beach?Instead of mulching with the usual suspects, sand will showcase your garden and make you feel on holiday all year round.
Faux it if you can’t make it
If you are having trouble sourcing native and indigenous plants in your area then look for alternatives that have the same qualities. Here, tussocky poa has been planted en masse along a boardwalk that makes you feel like there is a sandy beach and rolling waves waiting for you at the end.
If you are having trouble sourcing native and indigenous plants in your area then look for alternatives that have the same qualities. Here, tussocky poa has been planted en masse along a boardwalk that makes you feel like there is a sandy beach and rolling waves waiting for you at the end.
TELL US
Which coastal plants have we missed?
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Which coastal plants have we missed?
MORE
Plant Profile: Kangaroo-Paw
Top 10 Plants for Minimum Effort and Maximum Impact
10 Ways to Plant Outside the Box