Seaside Stalwarts
No matter where they live, gardeners can learn a lot from the rugged plants that survive in coastal and seaside communities. Drought, salt spray, poor soils, hot climate and scalding rays comprise a hostile environment that few plants can handle with poise. When they do, it gives hope to us all. Eastern cedars, live oaks, yaupons and yuccas are highly visible stalwarts, but a host of choices exists for coastal gardeners who want success for less sweat. Ranking high among salt-tolerant species are pittosporum, bottlebrush, leatherleaf mahonia, cabbage palm, saw palmetto, prickly pear cactus, lantana, blanket flower, daylily, rosemary and rugosa rose. They are also very tolerant of dry, sandy and nutrient-poor soils once established. Such plants will also appeal to inland gardeners who want low-maintenance landscaping. An excellent source of information about these and many other tough species may be downloaded from the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Web site:
www.gardeningnhc.org/pdf/SaltTolerantPlants2000.pdf.