Best Plants for Coastal Gardens in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs

Gardens close to the ocean have it tough. Salty winds burn soft leaves, sandy soil drains water and nutrients away quickly, and summer sun reflects off paving and white walls. The good news: with the right plants and a little preparation, coastal gardens can look lush all year round.

Know your position

Not every coastal garden is the same. A front yard facing the beach in Bondi or Maroubra takes the full force of salt spray, while a courtyard a few streets back is far more sheltered. Plants that suffer on the front line can do very well behind a wall, hedge or the house itself. We always look at wind direction, sun and shelter before choosing plants.

Hardy plants we love for the coast

• Westringia (coastal rosemary): a tough native that handles wind and salt, and clips into neat hedges or soft balls.
• Lomandra and dianella: strappy native grasses that cope with almost anything and give a clean, modern look.
• Coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia): a hardy native tree or large shrub that attracts birds.
• Correa alba: a compact native shrub with soft grey leaves, great for exposed spots.
• Agaves and succulents: sculptural, drought-hardy and very low maintenance.
• Native pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens): a fast groundcover for sandy banks.
• Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis): a glossy, salt-tolerant shrub for hedges and borders.
• Olive trees: silvery foliage that handles wind and dry conditions, ideal as a feature tree.

Prepare the soil first

Sandy coastal soil holds very little water or nutrients. Before planting, we dig in good-quality compost or soil improver so roots can establish quickly. It is the single biggest difference between a garden that thrives and one that struggles through its first summer.

Mulch and water wisely

A layer of mulch helps keep moisture in the soil and protects roots from heat. Keep it a few centimetres away from stems and trunks. New plants still need regular watering while they settle in, even hardy ones, and an automated irrigation system takes the guesswork out of it.

Build shelter where you can

A hedge, screen or row of tough plants on the windward side protects softer plants behind it. Once that first line is established, you can grow a much wider range of plants in its shelter.