Suitable plants
For a fuller choice, see the RHS Plant Selector
Trees tolerant to full exposure
Alnus glutinosa (common elder) - deciduous, conical, H 20m (70ft), S 8m (25ft)
Crataegus x persimilis 'Prunifolia' AGM – deciduous, leaves turn orange-red in autumn, white flowers in spring, red berries, H 8m (25ft), S 10m (30ft)
Pinus nigra (European black pine) – domed evergreen tree with spreading branches, H 30m (100ft), S 6-8m (20-25ft)
Populus alba (white poplar) – deciduous, young shoots are covered with white hairs, leaves turn yellow in autumn, H 20-40m (70-130ft), S 25m (50ft)
Quercus ilex AGM (Holm oak) – evergreen, dark green glossy leaves, H 25m (80ft), S 20m (70ft)
Trees for planting slightly back from the sea
Acer platanoides AGM (Norway maple) – deciduous, vigorous, leaves turn yellow or red in autumn, H 25m (80ft), S 15m (50ft)
Crataegus laevigata (hawthorn) – thorny, deciduous, white to pink flowers in spring, red fruit, H & S 8m (25ft)
Ginkgo biloba AGM – columnar, deciduous conifer with fan-shaped leaves, H 30m (100ft), 8m (25ft)
Pinus sylvestris AGM (Scots pine) – flaky red-brown bark, blue green needles, H 15-30m (50-100ft), S 6-9m (20-28ft)
Sorbus aucuparia (rowan) – dark green leaves turning yellow-orange in autumn, white flowers spring, red berries, H 15m (50ft), S 7m (22ft)
Shrubs for exposed situations liable to salt winds
Euonymus japonicus (Japanese spindle) – dense bushy evergreen, good for hedging H 4m (12ft), S 2m (6ft)
Olearia macrodonta AGM – vigorous, evergreen, daisy-like fragrant flowers in summer, H 6m (20ft), S 5m (15ft)
Rosa rugosa – vigorous, deciduous, fragrant carmine-red flowers followers, orange-red hips, good for hedges H & S 1-2.5m (3-8ft)
Tamarix tetrandra – arching branches, scale like leaves, pink flowers in late spring, good for poor soils, H & S 3m (10ft)
Hippophae rhamnoides AGM (sea buckthorn) – bushy deciduous shrub/small tree with spiny shoots and silvery to bronze leaves, female plants produce orange fruit, H & S (6m (20ft)
Elaeagnus x ebbingei – dense evergreen shrub with dark or metallic sea-green leaves, H & S 4m (12ft)
Shrubs for open situations slightly back from the sea
Arbutus unedo AGM - evergreen, white flowers in autumn, red fruit, H & S 8m (25ft)
Ceanothus 'Gloire de Versailles' AGM – deciduous, pale blue flowers in late summer H & S 1.5m (5ft)
Cistus x purpureus AGM – evergreen, dark pink flowers in summer, not fully hardy, H & S 1m (3ft)
Cytisus x praecox AGM (broom) – deciduous, arching shoots, yellow flowers in spring, H 1.2m (4ft), S 1.5m (5ft)
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' AGM (lavender) – more compact cultivar, evergreen, grey green foliage, fragrant blue flowers in summer, needs good drainage, H 60cm (24in), S 75cm (30in)
Phlomis fruticosa AGM – evergreen, grey-green leaves, yellow flowers in summer, H 1m (3ft), S 1.5m (5ft)
Shrubs for hedges with some protection from direct sea-wind
Berberis darwinii AGM – evergreen, spiny, orange flowers in spring H & S 3m (10ft)
Cotoneaster simonsii AGM – deciduous or semi-evergreen, leaves turn red in autumn, red fruit, H 2.5m (8ft), S 2m (6ft)
Escallonia rubra – evergreen, pink flowers in summer, H & S 5m (15ft)
Fuchsia magellanica – deciduous, upright arching shrub, small red flowers in summer, milder areas only, H 3m (10ft), S 2-3m (6-10ft)
Griselinia littoralis AGM – evergreen, glossy bright green leaves, H 8m (25ft), S 5m (15ft)
Pittosporum tenuifolium AGM – evergreen glossy leaves, H 4-10m (12-30ft), S 2-5m (6-15ft)
Additional shrubs for planting after a windbreak is established
Abelia x grandiflora AGM – evergreen to semi-evergreen, arching stems, pink flowers in late summer, not fully hardy, H 3m (10ft) S 4m (12ft)
Ceratostigma willmottianum AGM – deciduous, blue flowers in late summer, leaves turn red in autumn, H 1m (3ft), S 1.5m (5ft)
Cotinus coggygria AGM (smoke bush) – deciduous leaves turn orange-red in autumn, attractive fruiting panicles, H & S 5m (15ft)
Hibiscus syriacus – deciduous, large pink flowers from late summer, 3m (10ft), S 2m (6ft)
Perovskia atriplicifolia AGM – deciduous, grey- white shoots and leaves, blue flowers in late summer, H 1.2m (4ft), S 1m (3ft)
Wall shrubs and climbers for sheltered walls
Azara microphylla AGM – evergreen shrub, vanilla scented small yellow flowers in early spring, H 10m (30ft), S 4m (12ft)
Campsis radicans – deciduous climber, tubular orange-red flowers in late summer, H 10m (30ft)
Celastrus orbiculatus – deciduous, orange yellow fruit with red seeds, H 10m (3ft)
Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris AGM – deciduous, white flowers in summer, H 15m (50ft)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia AGM (Virginia creeper) – deciduous, leaves turn brilliant red in autumn, H 15m (50ft)
Rock garden plants
Armeria maritima (sea thrift) – evergreen, clump forming, pink flowers in summer, H 20cm (8in), S 30cm (13in)
Aurinia saxatilis AGM – evergreen, grey leaves, yellow flowers in spring, H 20cn (8in), S 30cm (12in)
Hypericum olympicum AGM - deciduous shrub, yellow flowers in summer, H 25cm (10in), S 30cm (12in)
Phlox subulata – evergreen, purple, red or pink flowers in early summer, H 5-15cn (2-6in), S 50cm (20in)
Pulsatilla vulgaris AGM – deciduous hairy young leaves, bell shaped purple flowers in spring, attractive seed heads, H 10-20cm (4-8in), S 20cm (8in)
Hardy perennials
Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie'- lance shaped leaves, orange flowers in summer, not fully hardy, H 60cm (24in) S 8cm (3in)
Crambe cordifolia AGM – large dark green leaves, white flowers in summer, H 2.5m (8ft), S 1.5m (5ft)
Crinum x powellii AGM – arching leaves, large pink flowers in late summer, not fully hardy, H 1.5m (5ft), S 30cm (12in)
Eryngium variifolium (sea holly) – spiny leaves, grey blue flowers in summer, H 30-40cm (12-16in), S 25cm (10in)
Sedum telephium – grey-green leaves, pink flowers in late autumn, H 60cm (24in), S 30cm (12in)
Stachys byzantina (lamb’s ears) – evergreen, white-woolly foliage, pink-purple flowers in summer, H 45cm (18in), 60cm (24in)