Gardens By The Sea

Coastal gardening is challenging. It offers a unique and evocative beauty and with the use of a wide range of plants that suit coastal sites worldwide, naturalistic gardens of style and distinction are possible.

Barbara Segall takes us on a world tour of coastal gardens on four different continents, illustrated with some stunning photography: from a rocky outcrop in Maine to a sub-tropical garden in Durban on the Indian ocean, from Queensland's sunshine coast to a seaside garden in Sussex. She provides detailed descriptions of the gardens, and reveals the secrets of their successes.

The best plants and gardening techniques for maritime conditions - coping with salt, wind, drought and sun, shingle and sandy soils - are fully covered. There is also a special chapter on garden features, making whimsical use of sea-shells, driftwood and boulders, creating a maritime theme, plus decking, terracing and screening, which, when incorporated into the overall design, are so characteristic and evocative in coastal gardens.

Features:
- Gardens by the Sea: 20 seaside gardens around the world described and analysed in detail. Gardens have been selected from California, Normandy, New Zealand and Queensland to name a few.
- Garden Buildings: Statuary and Hard Landscaping: Natural materials: seashells, gravel, driftwood; decks, walkways, terraces, seating and shelters; sundials and navigation equipment as garden features; seaside whimsy: sheds and garden buildings with a maritime theme.
- Plants for the Purpose: Seashore plants need to be able to overcome saline conditions, poor soil, wind and erosion. They also need to be adapted to withstand drought. Descriptions of a wide range of suitable plants - both those that are indigenous to coastal areas and those that can be adapted.
- Gardening Techniques: Solutions to the disadvantages of the coastal site; soil types: shingle, light sand, etc; weather: salty wind, drought conditions, fog and mists, damp and cold sites.