Coastal

This coastal native palette is designed for sunny, well-drained sites, combining salt-tolerant trees, a flowering shrub layer, and spreading groundcovers to support pollinators, birds, and coastal resilience with minimal maintenance.

Plant species:

  • Sea Plum

  • Green Buttonwood

  • Black Torch

  • Dune Sunflower

  • Golden Creeper

  • Beach Verbena

Ideal site conditions:

  • Full sun

  • Very well-drained, sandy soils

  • Coastal or near-coastal areas with wind and salt exposure

  • Low irrigation once established

Who This Garden Helps:

  • Birds: Sea plum produces fruit and shelter; buttonwood and black torch provide perching and foraging habitat.

  • Hummingbirds: Black torch offers an important burst of spring nectar.

  • Pollinators: Long-blooming groundcovers (dune sunflower, beach verbena, golden creeper) provide nectar for bees and butterflies.

  • Coastal ecosystems: Dense roots and spreading plants help stabilize sandy soils.

Maintenance Tips:

  • Minimal pruning — allow plants to keep a natural shape.

  • Black torch is deciduous; seasonal leaf drop is normal.

  • Avoid over-watering; these plants prefer dry conditions.

  • Let groundcovers spread to fill in naturally and suppress weeds.