Mario Bautista
Specifically, Eoin names Calamagrostis, Panicum and Miscanthus as species that do well. “We used Armeria maritima, Erigeron karvinskianus, Eryngium ‘Big Blue’, Achillea ‘Terracotta’ and English lavender in particular in this garden, as they can put up with the sometimes harsh conditions along our coast.”
When it comes to designing for wind, as well as shelter belts of ornamental grasses and boulders, Eoin recommends grading the soil on-site to create mounds and berms planted with grasses. As well as providing protection for seating areas and filtering the wind across the site, it also has the added benefit of picking up on the shape and look of sand dunes.
Native Irish trees that do well in coastal gardens, include Hawthorn, Scots Pine and Arbutus Unedo, says Eoin. He recommends not staking the trees at planting time and allowing the prevailing wind to shape them.
“Some of the most beautiful trees along our coasts are growing at 45-degree angles due to the strong winds. Multi-stem trees are also better at putting up with wind in my experience.”
Though all coastal gardens will share similar characteristics, like wind and free-draining soil, other factors, like temperature and rainfall amount will all vary depending on which side of the country you’re on.
Observing and understanding your surroundings is key. “The planting and feel of a coastal garden should really reflect the local flora and fauna unique to its immediate environment, if you are to create a garden of its place, in my opinion,” Eoin says.
