Mostly Natives

Coastal Scrub

Sonoma Coast

Ocean Planting

Planting near the ocean influences requires attention to the elements of both drying winds and salts. The winds draw moisture from the leaves and the salts, deposited in the soil surrounding the plants, can draw moisture from the roots. Seaside plants have adapted in various ways to overcome these adversities.

It is always a good idea to start with small sized plants, they adjust to the harsh conditions more quickly than larger specimens. They will ultimately become more drought tolerant and often larger as they have developed a root system adequate to their needs. Mulching the plants can also help to retain moisture in the soil, particularly during the spring winds when plants are also trying to grow. If you do mulch however keep the base of the plant open to avoid crown rot.

Appropriate plants can be recruited from not only the coastal California zones but also Australia, western South America and the coastal Mediterranean region. If deer are a problem in you area Australian plants in particular seem more resistant to being eaten.

Following is a list of plants that we have found do well with both ocean winds and salt spray. The plants with a * are natives, plants with a # are more deer resistant. Good luck!

Perennials
Achillea (Yarrow)*
Angelica hendersonii *
Arabis blepharophylla *
Armeria (Sea Thrift)*
Asteriscus (Gold Coin)
Epilobium (California Fuchsia)*#
Erigeron glaucus (SEaside Daisy)*
Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Daisy)
Eriogonum (Buckwheat)*
Eriophyllum (Lizards Tail)*
Eschscholzia*
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Galvezia (Island Bush Snapdragon)*
Heuchera *
Iris douglasiana *#
Kniphofia #
Lavandula
Mimulus aurantiacus (Sticky Monkey)*#
Nepeta (Catmint)#
Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)*#
Romneya coulteri (Matilija Poppy)*
Salvia leucantha
Santolina (Lavender Cotton)#
Sedum spathulifolium (Stonecrop)*#
Sidalcea malviiflora (Checkerbloom)*
Silene maritima (Sea Campion)#
Sisyrinchium (Blue eyed Grass)*#
Thymus (Thyme)#
Viola adunca *#, labradorica #

Bunch Grass
Deschampsia (Tufted Hair Grass)*#
Festuca californica *#
Festuca idahoensis *#
Helictotrichon (Blue Oat Grass)#
Juncus patens *#
Stipa arundinacea #
Stipa gigantea #

Groundcovers
Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Manzanita)*
Baccharis (Prostrate Coyote Bush)*#
Ceanothus gloriosus *#
Ceanothus hearstiorum, maritimus *
Cistus salviifolius #
Correa (Australian Fuchsia)#
Dymonida margaretae #
Fragaria (Wild Strawberry)*
Ribes viburnifolium *
Rosmarinus (Trailing Rosemary)#
Verbena

Shrubs
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus *
Cistus ladanifer, purpurea, Sunset #
Coleonema (Pink Breath of Heaven)
Echium (Pride of Madeira) #
Garrya elliptica (Silk Tassel)*
Grevillea #
Holodiscus (Ocean Spray)*
Leptospermum (New Zealand Tea Tree)#
Lupinus (Lupine)*#
Myrica californica (Pacific Wax Murtle)*
Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
Phormium (New Zealand Flax)#
Ribes s. (Pink Flowering Currant)*
Westringia rosmariniformis #

Trees
Aesculus californica (Calif Buckeye)*
Cupressus (Monterey Cypress)*#
Lyonothamnus (Fernleaf Ironwood)*
Pinus contorta*#, mugo #, muricata *#
Quercus suber (Cork Oak)
Umbellularia (California Bay)*

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