5 low-maintenance coastal plants to add to your front garden

Exterior of house and front garden with garden furniture overlooking the sea. — (Image credit: Future PLC/ Jason Ingram)

Jump to category:

1. Sea campion
2. Ornamental grasses
3. Sea holly
4. Mallow
5. Sea kale

You might not live in Brighton or Whitby, but if you are longing to bring a bit of that seaside magic to your front door, I asked garden experts to share the five best plants to give a front garden that beautifully rugged coastal look, and they're not just pretty to look at but a perfect match for the extreme weather conditions this last month.

We’ve had it all recently. Strong rain, wind and of course, blistering heat, too. But instead of lambasting our weather-battered gardens, it can be wise to opt for coastal garden ideas, which not only look summery and beautiful, but are well-suited to battle the elements, too.

These are the 5 best low-maintenance coastal plants that can withstand fickle British weather and inject some seaside magic into your front garden ideas.

1. Sea campion

Sea campion typically grows along rocky areas such as cliffs, gravel and shingle coastlines during summer. This wildflower has beautiful pink and purple flowers, but according to folklore, it should not be picked as it is said to bring death!

Sea Campion and Thrift in Pembrokeshire, Wales

‘Perfect for positioning in full sun or partial shade, sea companion grows well in well draining sandy or gritty soils, this resilient wildflower thrives in poor soil and once established in your garden is naturally drought-resistant, immune to common pests and diseases and being a great self-seeder will naturally spread around your garden without any assistance,’ adds Lucie Bradley, garden and greenhouse expert at Easy Garden Irrigation.

Where to buy sea campion

2. Ornamental grasses

Ornamental grasses are not only great for your garden border ideas, but are also perfect for recreating a seaside look in your front garden, too.

Gorgeous mix of perennials, ornamental grasses and shrubs in a shady garden in July.

‘Ornamental grasses can mimic the natural look of sand dunes, and they will catch the wind in a way that makes them look like ocean waves. There are many varieties of ornamental grasses that each have different growing requirements and can be annual, perennial, evergreen or deciduous. Most kinds of ornamental grass grow best in the sun, and they will need to be cut back in spring to keep them looking tidy,’ says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture.

Where to buy ornamental grasses

3. Sea holly

As well as filling your front garden with a beautiful purple colour, sea holly is also a self-seeding plant that will return year after year, making it a wonderful low-maintenance choice for your garden.

Close-up image of the summer flowering vibrant flowers of Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue' also known as Sea Holly

‘Sea Holly is a great structural, hardy perennial whose tough, waxy foliage with its shimmery, metallic sheen and spiky, metallic-blue flowers will successfully provide a coastal theme to gardens,’ says Lucie.

'Native to coastal areas, growing in sand dunes, shingle beaches and rocky shorelines across Europe, Sea Holly is exceptionally drought-tolerant due to its deep taproots enabling it to thrive in poor soil and neglect. Available in a wide range of varieties, from the compact ‘Blue Hobbit’ which grows to around 30cm in height, through to the taller varieties such as ‘Big Blue’ reaching up to a metre in height.’

Where to buy sea holly

4. Mallow

Mallow is a fast-growing, drought-resistant plant that is perfect for adding some last-minute colour to your garden. It’s also excellent for attracting butterflies to your garden, making it a wonderful choice for wildlife gardens, too.

Pink musk mallow flowers growing in herbaceous border in garden

‘Mallow can give your front garden a coastal look as many varieties, such as Malva sylvestris, are naturally found growing near the coast. They should be grown in a spot in full sun with well-draining soil, and they will produce pink flowers in summer and autumn. Deadheading can prolong their flowering period, or you can leave the faded flowers in place so the plant will self-seed via seed pods,’ says Richard.

Where to buy mallow

5. Sea kale

Last but not least on the list is sea kale, which is ideal for adding some structure to your front garden.

Sea Kale, Crambe maritima, Sandwich Bay, Kent UK.

‘To create a structural focal point, use Sea Kale, a hardy perennial native to shingle beaches. With its bold, architectural, thick and waxy leaves of blue-green with deeply ruffled edges, it will grow up to 90cm in height and spread and will be covered in clouds of tiny, sweet, honey- scented white flowers from May to July, which are highly attractive to beneficial pollinators,’ says Lucie.

‘This tough perennial is low maintenance once established, coping well in dry, sandy or gravelly soils and grows best in a sunny spot, though it can tolerate partial shade. Its deep, extensive root system allows it to die back in winter and produce new shoots in spring, and it will typically remain in your garden for 10 to twelve years.’

Where to buy sea kale

Which coastal plant will you be adding to your front garden?

Kezia Reynolds joined the Ideal Home team as News Writer in September 2024. After graduating from City, University of London in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Kezia kicked off her career spending two years working on women’s weekly magazines. She is always on the lookout for the latest home news, finding you the best deals and trends - so you don’t miss a thing!