Things We Normally Don’t Talk About In August

Can you believe it’s August already? This month, we’re going to dive into topics we usually don’t discuss, like seaside planting. We often get questions about what plants can thrive seaside, so in this blog post, we’ll dive into this topic.

The Privileges Of Living Seaside

We’re definitely lucky to live in such a beautiful province where many of us get the benefit of living by the seaside. Some of the benefits we enjoy include an incredible landscape (and yes, gardens, too), access to fun water sports, beautiful wildlife, fresh air, incredible seafood, and a rather slower pace of life which makes for peaceful living.

You also have a decent-sized city—Halifax—which is great for those who prefer a good balance between staying busy and a quiet life. There really is a lot of beauty here, and we’re fortunate. For gardeners, there are also challenges to living by the seaside, and we’ll explore these now.

The Challenges Of Seaside Gardening

As you know by now, living close to the ocean is a privilege we Nova Scotians enjoy, but it comes with its own set of gardening challenges. The salty air affects not only things like siding, chairs, and windows but also plants. Some plants can handle salt deposits and thrive, while others are very sensitive and won’t do well.

It’s important to consider the following when you’re planning your garden so that all of your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

Plants That Do Well Seaside

We’ve all seen the native white pine trees turn rusty brown in spring. That’s because of the salt spray on the roads. Snow plows can send salt spray up to 50 feet from the road, damaging trees that can’t handle the salt. You’ll notice you rarely see white pine trees close to the coast for this reason.

You need to be aware of your surroundings and observe what plants are thriving. Nine times out of ten, spruce trees are growing nearby. Spruce trees are salt-tolerant and can grow on peninsulas and islands. Something to keep in mind is that blue spruces are more sensitive to salty air, so plant them on the protected side of your house.

Broadleaf evergreens, like rhododendrons, are also sensitive to salty air and need to be planted in a protected area. Most homes have a side exposed to the sea and a side that’s more sheltered, so place these plants accordingly.

Deciduous plants, which lose their leaves, are less prone to salt damage. Their leaves grow back each year, giving them more tolerance to salt. Tough shrubs like spirea and potentilla can handle salty air well as can the rugged Rugosa rose, which is native to seaside areas.

Cypress is another option, although there isn’t much definitive information on its salt tolerance. If you decide to plant it, place it on the protected side of your home to be safe. Golden evergreens are prone to windburn and should also be planted in protected spots, possibly wrapped in burlap for winter protection.

Hardy junipers like Bar Harbor junipers and juniperus communis can thrive in both road and sea salt conditions. Other good options include forsythia, ninebark, and native viburnums. Azaleas, which lose their leaves, are hardier than rhododendrons and better suited for exposed areas. Hydrangeas, especially Nikko Blue (hydrangea macrophylla) or endless summer varieties, do very well near the shore due to the soil conditions.

Keeping An Eye On Your Plants

Doing a little bit of investigative work will go a long way. Pay attention to your surroundings and observe what plants are thriving in your neighbours’ gardens. This can give you a good idea of what will work in your own garden.

Perennials, which die down to the ground each year, and ornamental grasses that mimic the movement of waves are also excellent choices for seaside gardens.

Remember to consider the layout of your house, including which side faces the water and which areas are more protected, when choosing plants for your seashore garden. You actually have quite a few options for creating a beautiful and thriving coastal garden.

We hope you found these tips useful for your beautiful seaside garden.