Top 10 Plants for Windy Gardens
Wind can cause just as much moisture loss as sun – if not more – so choose your plants wisely when planning exposed gardens
Wind is one of the biggest issues gardeners can face, particularly if they live near the coast or out in the country. That’s probably quite a large percentage of those who garden in places like New Zealand and Australia, when you think about it.
Most drought-tolerant plants do well on exposed sites. Think about New Zealand natives that grow near the sea as well as those which originate from the coastal regions of Australia, South Africa, California and the Mediterranean. If you’re unsure where to start, try our list of top ten plants for windy gardens.
Most drought-tolerant plants do well on exposed sites. Think about New Zealand natives that grow near the sea as well as those which originate from the coastal regions of Australia, South Africa, California and the Mediterranean. If you’re unsure where to start, try our list of top ten plants for windy gardens.
1. California lilac
California lilac (Ceanothus) thrives in exposed, sunny, dry, free-draining conditions, just what you’d expect from a plant that grows naturally in the mountains of California. There are many cultivars and species in the Ceanothus genus, all of them tough evergreen shrubs. They’re also tolerant of frost, but give young plants protection from cold and wind while they establish.
In spring, California lilac is covered in dense clusters of blue flowers. Shrubs range in size from low ground covers to small trees. Stake taller growing species in exposed situations, as too much movement can damage roots.
Tip: Prune annually to keep compact.
California lilac (Ceanothus) thrives in exposed, sunny, dry, free-draining conditions, just what you’d expect from a plant that grows naturally in the mountains of California. There are many cultivars and species in the Ceanothus genus, all of them tough evergreen shrubs. They’re also tolerant of frost, but give young plants protection from cold and wind while they establish.
In spring, California lilac is covered in dense clusters of blue flowers. Shrubs range in size from low ground covers to small trees. Stake taller growing species in exposed situations, as too much movement can damage roots.
Tip: Prune annually to keep compact.
2. Rockrose
Rockrose (Cistus) hails from southern Europe and north Africa, which gives you a clue as to its toughness. This plant is great for dry banks, rockeries and coastal gardens. It takes salt-laden coastal winds and hot, desert conditions in its stride, rewarding you with masses of delightful flowers throughout spring and summer. Soil should not be overly fertile (don’t overfeed) and fairly dry for rockrose to flourish.
Tip: Rockrose will flower better if kept bushy and compact by pinching out young leaves as plants develop.
Would you love to have a garden you can enjoy rather than just maintain. Find a landscape designer on Houzz.
Rockrose (Cistus) hails from southern Europe and north Africa, which gives you a clue as to its toughness. This plant is great for dry banks, rockeries and coastal gardens. It takes salt-laden coastal winds and hot, desert conditions in its stride, rewarding you with masses of delightful flowers throughout spring and summer. Soil should not be overly fertile (don’t overfeed) and fairly dry for rockrose to flourish.
Tip: Rockrose will flower better if kept bushy and compact by pinching out young leaves as plants develop.
Would you love to have a garden you can enjoy rather than just maintain. Find a landscape designer on Houzz.
3. Lomandra
This group of Australian grasses have won over gardeners and landscape designers on both sides of the Tasman with their graceful foliage, and their incredibly good performance in wind, sun, drought, part shade and even cold conditions. Unlike some New Zealand grasses, which can struggle in humid conditions, Lomandra thrive in both warm and cool areas with plants retaining their bright colour throughout the year.
One of the most commonly grown is Lomandra ‘Tanika’, which has lush green foliage and reaches about 90 centimetres in height with a one-metre spread. However, there are many other cultivars large and small, some with green-blue or bright lime foliage.
Tip: Lomandra rarely look scruffy but if they do, cutting them back to about 15 centimetres (although not in mid-summer) will stimulate new growth.
This group of Australian grasses have won over gardeners and landscape designers on both sides of the Tasman with their graceful foliage, and their incredibly good performance in wind, sun, drought, part shade and even cold conditions. Unlike some New Zealand grasses, which can struggle in humid conditions, Lomandra thrive in both warm and cool areas with plants retaining their bright colour throughout the year.
One of the most commonly grown is Lomandra ‘Tanika’, which has lush green foliage and reaches about 90 centimetres in height with a one-metre spread. However, there are many other cultivars large and small, some with green-blue or bright lime foliage.
Tip: Lomandra rarely look scruffy but if they do, cutting them back to about 15 centimetres (although not in mid-summer) will stimulate new growth.
4. Echium
Echium are known for their distinctive blue, pink and white flower spikes that soar above rosettes of grey-green leaves. Depending on the species, echium can be shrubs or perennials and all come from islands such as Madeira, as well as warmer parts of Europe, Africa and western Asia. They’ve evolved to thrive in hot, rocky windswept places – for example in New Zealand, where they’ve naturalised on the cliffs of Sumner in Christchurch. Some echium are biennial and will only live for two years.
Tip: Echium can be weedy in certain parts of Australia, so check with your local council before planting.
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Echium are known for their distinctive blue, pink and white flower spikes that soar above rosettes of grey-green leaves. Depending on the species, echium can be shrubs or perennials and all come from islands such as Madeira, as well as warmer parts of Europe, Africa and western Asia. They’ve evolved to thrive in hot, rocky windswept places – for example in New Zealand, where they’ve naturalised on the cliffs of Sumner in Christchurch. Some echium are biennial and will only live for two years.
Tip: Echium can be weedy in certain parts of Australia, so check with your local council before planting.
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5. Leucospermum
Leucospermum, sometimes known as pincushion plant, is a group of South African shrubs that thrives in windy, coastal gardens. It’s a member of the South African Proteaceae family that also includes Protea, Grevillea, Leucadendron and Banksia. All produce stunning flowers which last for long periods, such as those of the Leucospermum hybrid ‘Scarlet Ribbons’ pictured to the right in the image above. This plant is tolerant of long periods of drought, but they do need good drainage and soil that is not too rich in nitrates and phosphates.
Tip: Prune after flowering for shape and avoid feeding.
Leucospermum, sometimes known as pincushion plant, is a group of South African shrubs that thrives in windy, coastal gardens. It’s a member of the South African Proteaceae family that also includes Protea, Grevillea, Leucadendron and Banksia. All produce stunning flowers which last for long periods, such as those of the Leucospermum hybrid ‘Scarlet Ribbons’ pictured to the right in the image above. This plant is tolerant of long periods of drought, but they do need good drainage and soil that is not too rich in nitrates and phosphates.
Tip: Prune after flowering for shape and avoid feeding.
Carex testacea
6. Carex
This enormous group of over 2000 species of grasses (technically known as sedges) includes many that are native to New Zealand. Carex can grow in many different places, from swamps to Arctic tundra, so it’s important to chose those that will grow in the conditions of your garden. Too often we see carex languishing in places where they should not be grown, but another species in the genus might have been ideal.
Tip: For windy gardens with well-drained soil try Carex comans, C. flagellifera or C. testacea (see above), while C. trifida will tolerate wind and moist soil.
This enormous group of over 2000 species of grasses (technically known as sedges) includes many that are native to New Zealand. Carex can grow in many different places, from swamps to Arctic tundra, so it’s important to chose those that will grow in the conditions of your garden. Too often we see carex languishing in places where they should not be grown, but another species in the genus might have been ideal.
Tip: For windy gardens with well-drained soil try Carex comans, C. flagellifera or C. testacea (see above), while C. trifida will tolerate wind and moist soil.
7. Bottlebrush
Another tough Australian native, bottlebrush (Callistemon) will tolerate strong winds as long as they’re not too salt-laden. Soil should be well-drained and it needs plenty of sun to flower well. Birds love the nectar of bottlebrush flowers, which can be white, red, pink or purple depending on the species. Trees range in size from dwarf types to those over 5 metres.
Tip: Prune off seed capsules when flowering finishes to keep plants bushy and encourage more flowers.
Another tough Australian native, bottlebrush (Callistemon) will tolerate strong winds as long as they’re not too salt-laden. Soil should be well-drained and it needs plenty of sun to flower well. Birds love the nectar of bottlebrush flowers, which can be white, red, pink or purple depending on the species. Trees range in size from dwarf types to those over 5 metres.
Tip: Prune off seed capsules when flowering finishes to keep plants bushy and encourage more flowers.
8. Olive
Think of the olive groves in the Greek Islands and you’ll get an understanding of how well these ancient trees thrive in windy, coastal situations. Olives (Olea) are grown in residential gardens more for their ornamental value than fruit these days. They make lovely fast-growing screens that won’t block the light like a lot of other evergreen screen trees do. Perfect drainage is a must.
Tip: Olives can be pruned back hard if they become overgrown.
Think of the olive groves in the Greek Islands and you’ll get an understanding of how well these ancient trees thrive in windy, coastal situations. Olives (Olea) are grown in residential gardens more for their ornamental value than fruit these days. They make lovely fast-growing screens that won’t block the light like a lot of other evergreen screen trees do. Perfect drainage is a must.
Tip: Olives can be pruned back hard if they become overgrown.
9. Gazania
A group of perennial and annual ground cover plants, Gazania are often seen in seaside gardens. They revel in windy locations as long as they have plenty of sun and free-draining soil. From summer to autumn they produce masses of flowers in colours that range from cream and white through to yellows, oranges and reds. Gazania need very little maintenance and will sprawl happily over banks and rockeries in windy, hot areas.
Tip: Be aware, Gazania is considered an environmental weed in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia so look for the sterile cultivars including:
A group of perennial and annual ground cover plants, Gazania are often seen in seaside gardens. They revel in windy locations as long as they have plenty of sun and free-draining soil. From summer to autumn they produce masses of flowers in colours that range from cream and white through to yellows, oranges and reds. Gazania need very little maintenance and will sprawl happily over banks and rockeries in windy, hot areas.
Tip: Be aware, Gazania is considered an environmental weed in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia so look for the sterile cultivars including:
- Double Gold
- Montezuma
- Sunset Jane
10. Manuka
Also known as tea tree, manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is one of the most common native plants in New Zealand and is very adaptable, capable of growing in windy, wet, cold and dry places as well as in clay soils. Fast-growing manuka does best in full sun, its flowers attracting bees, butterflies and birds. There are many wonderful manuka cultivars now available, from prostrate ground covers to small trees that produce red, pink or white flowers.
Tip: Don’t prune back too hard as manuka generally only flowers from new wood.
Your turn
Have you managed to grow any of these hardy plants successfully in your garden? Upload photos in the Comments below to show them off.
More
Want sustainable gardening advice?Take a look at Why You Should Plant a Sustainable Garden (and How)
Also known as tea tree, manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is one of the most common native plants in New Zealand and is very adaptable, capable of growing in windy, wet, cold and dry places as well as in clay soils. Fast-growing manuka does best in full sun, its flowers attracting bees, butterflies and birds. There are many wonderful manuka cultivars now available, from prostrate ground covers to small trees that produce red, pink or white flowers.
Tip: Don’t prune back too hard as manuka generally only flowers from new wood.
Your turn
Have you managed to grow any of these hardy plants successfully in your garden? Upload photos in the Comments below to show them off.
More
Want sustainable gardening advice?Take a look at Why You Should Plant a Sustainable Garden (and How)
The first thing to note is that strong winds can play havoc with delicate plants, burning their leaves and sucking all the moisture out of the soil. Creating shelter is key to gardening in windy situations, as is choosing species that grow naturally in those conditions.
Knowing your site is another important factor. It’s key to successful gardening anywhere, but essential when the conditions are tough. Some areas of your garden might be exposed to more than one wind direction. Try to work out which winds have the most adverse effects. The prevailing wind might be from the south-west, but it could be the occasional north-easterly in summer that makes outdoor living really unpleasant and damages plants.