Australia’s spectacular and sometimes harsh coastline provides inspiration for a growing trend in coastal gardens. Low maintenance and eco friendly, coastal gardens have a natural beauty that complements our love for relaxed coastal style.
For plants to thrive in coastal environments they need to be hardy and able to withstand strong sun, salty winds and high salt levels in the soil. The same goes for building materials, as the harsh coastal environment takes its toll on exposed timber structures and outdoor furniture. UV-resistant fabrics and paints will ensure your colours are fresh over time and take into consideration the metals used in structures and furniture, that are suited to a salty environment to avoid rust.
There is a wide variety of natural and exotic plant species suited to coastal gardening:
- Native plants are a great start and make perfect sense in the challenging coastal conditions
- Large trees like Pandanus, Frangipani and Aloe Barberae
- Drought tolerant succulents and grass trees are all well suited to this style of garden.
- To create movement, plant Buffel grass and Oldman Saltbush. They are very resilient and provide a soothing reflection of the character of the coastal landscape.
We’ve also put together a list of our favourite pots and planters if you\’re looking to introduce plants into your home.
All images provided by Dreamstime
