Gardening by the shore...

For most seaside residents, the beauty of the ocean makes living at the water's edge a true luxury. Unfortunately for gardeners, the delight often turns to frustration when plants don't thrive--or even survive--in the salty, sandy soil. Master gardener Beth Richardson discusses three primary conditions common to all oceanfront areas and identifies the specific elements that can hinder plant growth. Finally, she lists a number of plant varieties that can be successfully grown in a seaside environment.

Problematic Conditions of Seaside Areas:

• Wind: Continuously blowing wind and the sand it carries can damage unsheltered or nonresistant plants.
• Salt: Sea spray, which contains damaging salt, is often carried up to several hundred yards by the wind. Some plants have natural protection, such as hard-surfaced leaves, a high gloss or tiny hairs (these prevent the salt from actually touching a leaf's surface). Plants without natural protection should be sufficiently shielded to prevent the salt's harmful effects.
• Sand: Like all plants, those grown near the ocean require good soil in which to take root; sand does not contain the necessary nutrients for vegetation.

Recommended Plant Selections for Seaside Gardens:

Gardening along the coast presents some unique challenges. Here are some hardy plants that can withstand wind, sun and salt.

Drought-tolerant perennial sedums are easy to grow around rocks and sand because their roots are shallow and will hold on to just about anything. Their leaves are so firm and waxy that salt, which can poison a plant, just beads up and falls off or dries without leaching into the plant. Hostas also have waxy broad leaves that repel salt, and while these plants prefer shade, they can withstand a hot coastal wind.

The delicate leaves of lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) are furry to the touch--perfect protection from harsh salt air. The salt adheres to the fuzz and dries up without ever getting to the plant itself. Lamb's ear is often found growing wild in coastal climates, says Richards.

The silvery gray color of lavender and artemisia reflects sunlight away from these plants so they don't burn up and dry. Hardy, fragrant rosemary also does well in drought conditions, and its shallow root system allows it to grow most anywhere.

Varieties of evergreens such as juniper, barberry and cedar thrive in coastal climates thanks to their hardy foliage and sturdy branches. Another plus: They do well with little water and don't mind sandy soil.

Cosmos is a sure thing for seaside color. This plant will grow anywhere, says Richards, and the poorer the soil, the better it does. Though the flowers and stems appear fragile, they stand up to ocean breezes amazingly well.

So keep these plants in mind as you're designing your garden:

• Shrubs:
  • Japanese barberry (Berberis)
  • Juniper (Juniperus)
  • Mother of thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
• Perennials:
  • Artemisia
  • Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
  • Baby's breath (Gypsophila)
  • Plantain lily (Hosta)
  • Hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
  • Lambs' ears (Stachys byzantina)
• Annuals:
  • Cosmos
  • China pinks (Dianthus)
  • Marigold
  • Salvia

Tip: If you want a sure bet for color and a good garden along the coast, container planting is the answer. That way you can add peat moss and humus to native sandy soil to hold moisture, and you can shade or shelter plants by placing containers against a wall or fence where they aren't so exposed to the elements.

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