Haltwhistle, which is 16 miles from where I live, is the unofficial halfway point of the United Kingdom. From here it is 55 miles to Seaham in County Durham and 45 miles to Siloth in Cumberland.
The challenge with seaside gardens is the weather. Although the gardens are protected from snow and frost, strong winds carry salt and often sand. Cold wind, especially on the east coast, also damages emerging buds in the spring and accelerates the evaporation of water which can cause scorching of the tissues.
The garden used as a case study here was a brand-new property on the east coast. The brief was to design a garden that reflected the seaside.
I used a lot of perennials because most of the damage by winds is done in winter and early spring when the perennials are still dormant underground. Tall Miscanthus Grasses were also used to create a windbreak and provide shelter until the smaller plants had established themselves.
The perennials chosen are just a selection of the late summer flowering variety. These are tougher than some of the early summer flowering varieties and can cope far better with wind and salt.
Late flowering perennials also have a very long season. They start flowering in mid-summer and continue for many months. Although they lose their vibrant colours as summer passes into autumn, they continue to provide interest in their bronze and tawny coloured seedheads.
The use of decking created a board walk, oak sleepers gave the feel of sea breaks and gravel replicated sand. The circular shape was done to make the garden seem larger.
Every location brings a different challenge and the secret is to find the right combination of plants and flowers that look their best in that environment. Please get in touch for a free consultation about garden design in Cumbria, the Borders and beyond, either by calling 07775611047 or email sam@fellsidegardendesign.co.uk or use the contact form.
Design for a coastal garden
Plants are chosen to take wind, rain and salt
Perennials and grasses are tough and tend to emerge after the worst of the winds
Here decking is used to recreate a boardwalk and upright sleepers sea breaks
Gravel is used to mulch the garden and keep moisture in.
Grasses provide interest throughout the winter
Fishing pots are added for decoration
Building the boardwalk in decking
An east coast garden
Alliums are used to bring early colour and nectar to the garden
After 6 months the sleepers and decking starts to turn a more natural silver grey
A small lawn for the owners dog
