Victorian coastal plants: our favourite picks
Author: Samantha Rankin – copywriter, environmental scientist and founder of Copy Circle.
Few things compare to kicking your shoes off and walking along a sandy coastline. The windswept dunes. The crashing waves. The rugged cliffs. It’s a place we go to explore, relax and reenergise.
At Radar, we believe a coastal garden should exude this seaside lifestyle, embracing rambling designs, imperfect forms and natural materials.
But finding Victorian coastal plants that can withstand salt, sand and wind requires some careful consideration.
Well, help is here. We’ve created a list of our favourite seaside plants your garden (and wildlife) will love.
Victorian coastal plants for your seaside sanctuary
It may not be evident to the naked eye, but some timber has fungal growth in it. This is an issue and will cause the wood to rot because the small organisms feed on the wood and weaken it. If you are using the landscape timber to building a retaining wall, for example, and you don’t spot there are fungi in it, that wall could easily fall down and cause a lot of damage. Before you make any purchase, check the wood thoroughly for fungi. Your garden will definitely be better for it.
Cushion bush (leucophyta brownii)
One of our all-time favourite shrubs, cushion bush is a perennial, flowering plant that’s recognised by its silver, twig-like leaves. And it’s got all the qualities you look for in a plant: tough as nails, low maintenance and loves basking in the sun.
In summer, it sprouts small, round flowers that range from cream to yellow. It’s resistant to wind, frost, poor soils and sea spray – and doesn’t require pruning due to its naturally rounded shape (we’re looking at you, lazy gardeners).
Type: Shrub
Height: 1m
Soil type: Sandy, loamy, sandy loam, nutrient-poor
Use: Coastal gardens, poolside, courtyards
White correa (correa alba)
An Australian native, correa alba has grey-green velvety leaves with small white flowers. And bird watchers rejoice, its delicious nectar is an invitation for Australian native birds. What’s more, correa alba is incredibly easy to get along with: it’s drought and wind tolerant, requires mineral watering and handles salt spray and a little frost.
It’s best suited to dappled sunlight. You can embrace its wild form or prune it back for a tidy look – the choice is yours.
Type: Shrub
Height: 1.5m
Soil type: Sandy, loamy, sandy loam, nutrient-poor
Use: Coastal gardens, poolside, courtyards, cottage gardens, windy spots
Blue chalk sticks (senecio serpens)
You can’t miss this silvery-blue succulent. With dense and fleshy leaves, this groundcover sprawls outwards, covering your garden floor like carpet. It looks great in pots, rock gardens or as a border plant. Not only that, it’s highly drought-tolerant, hardy, fire-resistant and enjoys basking in full sun.
As for maintenance? Just chop off the small yellow flowers when they die.
Fuss-free is the name of the game.
Type: Groundcover
Height: 30cm
Soil type: Sandy, well-drained
Use: Groundcover, on borders, potted
Native rosemary (westringia fruticosa)
Known as native rosemary for its dense, dark green leaves (but don’t be fooled, it doesn’t taste the same). This Australian coastal plant is fast-growing, hardy and tolerant to frost, drought, humidity, salty air and wind. Oh, and it’s incredibly relaxed and easy-going. Pruning is optional depending on whether you want a formal or bushy look.
It suits full to partial sun and decent soil drainage, with small white flowers that are a magnet to native birds, bees and critters. A big win for your garden, soil and outdoor soundtrack.
Type: Shrub
Height: Up to 2m
Soil type: Sandy, well-drained
Use: Hedges, borders, retaining walls, pots, coastal gardens
Olive tree (olea europaea)
Did you know the olive tree is one of the oldest cultivated trees on planet earth? And it’s little wonder why. They’re evergreen, long-lived, hardy and drought-tolerant. Need we mention their deliciously plump and salty fruit served on a cheese platter?
Olive trees have stunning silver foliage, making them great as shade trees, hedges, potted plants or ornamental features. They love areas with direct sunlight, cool winters and hot summers. They can thrive in low-nutrient soils (as long as they’ve got some good drainage).
Type: Tree
Height: Up to 6m, depending on the species and area planted
Soil type: Loamy, well-drained
Use: Ornamental feature, shade, hedges, potted plant
Silver falls (dichondra silver falls)
A real crowd-pleaser. Dichondra silver falls have gorgeous coin-shaped leaves, often found spilling over pots, retaining walls, fences and hanging baskets. It appears soft, gentle and delicate – although don’t judge this book by its cover – it’s incredibly tough, drought-resistant and low-maintenance.
Silver falls thrive in partial shade, full shade or full sun. Basically, anything goes, as long as it’s got good drainage. Generously water your silver falls when first planted, but once the roots are established it can handle a dry spell.
Type: Ground cover
Height: 5 – 15cm
Soil type: Course, well-drained
Use: Tall pot, hanging basket, fences, retaining walls, pool areas
Kidney weed (dichondra repens)
We just couldn’t resist mentioning another type of dichondra. Kidney weed is native to Australia and New Zealand, boasting small kidney-shaped leaves with tiny, delicate flowers in the warmer months. It’s often used as a lush ground cover in loamy, sandy and nutrient-poor soils.
Kidney weed is a real creeper. It sprawls across the ground, acting as a great substitute to lawn (minus the maintenance). It prefers shady spots, but handles the odd spot of sun if it’s given enough water.
Type: Ground cover
Height: Up to 15cm
Soil type: Loamy, sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained
Use: Ground cover, lawn alternative, poolside, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, shaded areas
Ready to plant your coastal garden?
It’s incredible how plants can turn a bare space into a seaside oasis. We recommend using a combination of groundcover, shrubs and taller trees to bring your coastal garden to life, while incorporating natural materials like stone, pavers and timber.
At Radar, our favourite garden style is a blend of coastal and Palm Springs – combined to create a dreamy, tranquil slice of paradise.
If you’re looking for coastal landscaping on the Mornington Peninsula, we’d love to hear from you.