The Top 10 Plants for Seaside Gardens

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These perennials resist deer and tolerate wind and salt spray, making them ideal for exposed coastal gardens.

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African Lily

This vibrant flower adds an unexpected touch of the tropics to Northern gardens. When winter arrives, pots can be tended as houseplants indoors in a sunny spot.

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Allium

Jacky Parker Photography/Getty Images

Allium's includes purple and sky-blue varieties, as well as chives. Because their scent is oniony rather than floral, they repel animals. Good drainage is important.

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Anise Hyssopp

Photo: Kathy Diemer/A Garden for All

This flower attracts butterflies with its licorice scent and violet hue. The 3- to 5-foot-tall, drought-tolerant trouper thrives in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil.

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Bleeding Heart

Photo: Lynn Karlin

Belying its delicate appearance, Bleeding Heart holds up well in winter. Plants prefer sunlight to partial shade and can be cut back midsummer, after foliage fades.

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Flowering Tobacco

Photo: Lynn Karlin

Technically a tender perennial, Flowering tobacco can be grown almost anywhere as an annual. It lends grace and fragrance to beds and borders all summer.

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Lady's-Mantle

Photo: Lynn Karlin

Snip off blossoms before they mature to keep this prolific self-sower in check. Afternoon shade will help prevent leaf scorch.

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Annual Poppies

Photo: Lynn Karlin

They self-sow reliably wherever the sun is ample and the drainage is good. Seeds dormant in the soil can re-emerge unexpectedly years later.

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Russian Sage

Photo: Lynn Karlin

Russian Sage stands tall—up to 4 feet. The lilac-blue sun worshipper, neither Russian nor sage but instead a Himalayan mint, yields four months of flowering.

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Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

Photo: Lynn Karlin

If deadheaded faithfully, these flowers will bloom May through October. Divide it every three years and share the wealth with friends.

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Ornamental Grasses

Photo: Lynn Karlin

When knitting a garden to the uncultivated landscape, Ornamental Grasses are useful. They dance in the breeze, lending extra dimension. Full sun required.

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The Top 10 Plants for Seaside Gardens

1 of 10

African Lily

1 of 10

2 of 10

Allium

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3 of 10

Anise Hyssopp

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4 of 10

Bleeding Heart

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Flowering Tobacco

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Lady's-Mantle

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Annual Poppies

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Russian Sage

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Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

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Ornamental Grasses

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The Top 10 Plants for Seaside Gardens

1 of 10

African Lily

1 of 10

2 of 10

Allium

2 of 10

3 of 10

Anise Hyssopp

3 of 10

4 of 10

Bleeding Heart

4 of 10

5 of 10

Flowering Tobacco

5 of 10

6 of 10

Lady's-Mantle

6 of 10

7 of 10

Annual Poppies

7 of 10

8 of 10

Russian Sage

8 of 10

9 of 10

Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

9 of 10

10 of 10

Ornamental Grasses

10 of 10

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