Landscaping near the ocean...

Valerie H
by Valerie H
I live a few blocks away from the ocean (Northeast US, Atlantic) on the top of a hill. Quite frankly, NOTHING seems to survive the wind and salt spray of the storms we get! And it is always windy! I need some suggestions on what might work along the unprotected side of our home.
I'm thinking of clearing out the area below the deck and putting in clumps of beach grass surrounded by crushed clam shells or white pebbles. Simple and survivable?
  14 answers
  • Pat S Pat S on May 27, 2013
    I transplanted from LI to FL and have the same problem; I knew what to grow there but having problems growing here... Have you tried Montauk Daisies, grasses and sea grapes? You might check out the Native Plant Sale at http://www.linpi.org/plant-sale/ or a local nursery or driving along the coast and see what grows naturally.
  • Valerie H Valerie H on May 27, 2013
    We have a few Montauk Daisies around the side of the house, but I'm thinking about clearing out the area below the deck and doing clumps of beach grass surrounded by crushed clam shells or white pebbles. Simple, and goes with the MCM look of the house. Thx!
  • Valerie H Valerie H on May 27, 2013
    @Pat S I'm definitely going to go check out the plant sale! Thx for the info!!
  • Pat S Pat S on May 27, 2013
    I cleared my front and used crushed and small shells from my local ACE Hardware (30# for $4.99) you might see if your local ACE is willing to order than and then add your clam shells... I've since added shells, oyster shells, driftwood and a horseshoe crab from my beach walks.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on May 27, 2013
    See if Panicum amarum "Dewey Blue" is available in your area. It's a beautiful cultivar of a native grass found on dunes so it should manage where you are.
  • Valerie H Valerie H on May 27, 2013
    I looked it up and I really like it, @Douglas Hunt. I'm wondering if it will grow too tall, though. I don't want to obscure our ocean view! (it looks like what several of the nearby hotels have growing, and it doesn't seem overly tall)
  • Valerie H Valerie H on May 27, 2013
    I wondered where people bought that stuff, @Pat S! Now I know. Thx!
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on May 28, 2013
    It's not that tall for an ornamental grass, Valerie. No more than 3 or 4 feet. I got mine via mail order from Rare Find nursery and they shipped good-sized plants. You might add some rugosa roses as well. They do very well on Cape Cod so would probably do well for you, too. They're virtually trouble-free and produce a glorious fragrance that would be heaven to inhale from your deck.
  • Valerie H Valerie H on May 28, 2013
    Thanks, @Douglas Hunt! I'm definitely going to give them a try.
  • Karen Kelly-Philbrick Karen Kelly-Philbrick on May 28, 2013
    tea roses thrive on the coast of maine...try those
  • Caley's Culinaries Caley's Culinaries on May 28, 2013
    Rosemary doesn't mind salt spray, or water. We had high tides 2 inches deep in the bed and the rosemary did fine. It comes in a bunch of varieties for different growth habits and some flower.
  • Valerie H Valerie H on May 28, 2013
    Thanks everyone, for the great suggestions. I post pics when I finish the project!
  • Lawn Pro Lawn Pro on May 28, 2013
    Kill out area below deck,plant Mexican petunias and add hard wood mulch
  • Patricia W Patricia W on May 29, 2013
    Here on the West coast we have a Rock Daphne that works well, also most grasses, not black Mondo though .Allium, Flowering Tobacco, Most sage plants, there are just so many!