Gardening on the Dorset coast presents unique challenges — salt-laden winds, sandy free-draining soils, intense coastal sunshine and occasional exposure. However, with the right plant selection, coastal gardens can be among the most beautiful and dramatic.
Understanding Coastal Conditions
The key challenges in coastal gardens are:
Wind-Tolerant Shrubs
Escallonia
An excellent coastal shrub with glossy, salt-resistant leaves and masses of small flowers in red, pink or white. Forms an effective windbreak hedge.
Griselinia
A reliable evergreen shrub or hedge with round, bright green leathery leaves. Extremely wind and salt tolerant, griselinia is one of the go-to coastal hedging plants.
Hebe
Many hebe varieties thrive in coastal conditions, offering attractive foliage and spikes of flowers in summer. Compact varieties are ideal for exposed positions.
Coastal Perennials
Sea Holly (Eryngium)
With its striking steel-blue flower heads and architectural form, sea holly is a coastal garden classic that will thrive in poor, dry soils.
Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
Dramatic, architectural plants with tall flower spikes in fiery orange, yellow and cream. Extremely tolerant of coastal conditions.
Ice Plant (Delosperma)
Brilliant for warm, sunny coastal spots, ice plants produce an abundance of bright daisy flowers over a long season.
Grasses
Ornamental grasses are naturally suited to coastal gardens. Try:
Conclusion
With the right plant selection, a coastal garden in Dorset can be a spectacular, low-maintenance space that celebrates its seaside setting. Contact our team for planting design advice tailored to your specific coastal location.
Written by the Lifestyle Gardens team · March 2025