Coastal Garden Plants - Wind & Salt Tolerant Varieties

Lavender ‘Margaret Roberts’ is one of South Africa’s most beloved lavender varieties, celebrated for its fragrance, resilience, and iconic purple blooms. Hardy, evergreen, and naturally waterwise, it thrives in the Western Cape’s sunny climate and keeps gardens looking beautiful year-round.

From spring into summer, tall silver-green stems produce masses of purple flower spikes, filling the air with scent and attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil, and trim after flowering to maintain shape and enjoy repeat flushes of flowers.

While Lavenders can thrive in pots, ensure you use high-quality, well-draining potting soil. For optimal growth, consider fertilizing Lavender 'Margaret Roberts' from spring to autumn with products like Atlantic Bio Ocean or Vigorosa 5:1:5.

 The Bird of Paradise is an unmistakable South African icon, admired for its bold, tropical foliage and brilliant orange-and-blue flowers. A focal plant in any landscape, it provides year-round greenery and dramatic colour when in bloom mainly during May to December.

Best grown in full sun to light shade, Strelitzia reginae is hardy, low-maintenance, and waterwise once established. Its architectural leaves make it equally striking in modern gardens, containers, or as a feature near a pool or patio.

This indigenous beauty is a wind-resistant plant and  suitable for coastal gardens.

Provided with lots of bright light with some direct sun, they can be successfully grown indoors.

Feed with compost in early spring before new growth begins and then fertilize during the growing season.

Princess Lavender, also known as Butterfly Lavender, is a compact, eye-catching variety of Lavandula stoechas with vivid pink-purple flower heads topped by wing-like petals that resemble butterflies in flight. This fragrant, evergreen shrub brings long-lasting colour and charm to pots, pathways, borders, and small garden spaces.

 A sun-loving plant, it thrives in well-draining soil and is well-suited to waterwise and coastal gardens in the Western Cape. Princess Lavender flowers generously from spring to early autumn and attracts bees and butterflies with its aromatic blooms. Light pruning after flowering encourages compact growth and more blooms.

 Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’ is an award-winning variety, crowned Plant of the Year at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show. Bred in South Africa by the renowned De Wet breeders, it is celebrated as the most intensely coloured agapanthus available today.

From summer into early autumn, inky black buds open into large heads of deep black-purple flowers, held proudly above strong green foliage. Its exceptional colour and extended flowering season make it a true showpiece for any garden.

This vigorous, disease-resistant perennial is both heat and drought tolerant, thriving in full sun with well-drained soil. Ideal for borders, pots, and focal points, Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’ combines world-class breeding with practical garden performance.

Agapanthus 'Wilgenhof Blue',also known as 'African Lily', is a hardy agapanthus variety boasting medium-sized, strap-like leaves and stunning umbels of sky-blue flowers. These blossoms grace long stalks and bloom from December to April, making them perfect for cut flower arrangements.

They thrive in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Ensure regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming, and consider dividing the plant every few years to maintain its vigor. Agapanthus'Wilgenhof Blue' is a versatile beauty requiring minimal maintenance.

A floral masterpiece that adds pure charm to your garden. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant beauty is ideal for mass planting and containers. Plant it in well-draining soil, provide ample sunlight, and water moderately for breathtaking results. Pair it with companions like fragrant lavender, deep purple salvia, or delicate white alyssum to create a garden display that radiates timeless beauty.

A popular indigenous garden plant with variegated leaves and pinkish-mauve flowers in summertime. Very useful to fill difficult hot corners in your garden, as it is drought-resistant, but will flourish with regular watering. A perfect groundcover to cover large areas and also excellent used as borders or edging. The leaves and flowers are edible, and can be used in salads and other dishes.

Spekboom'Grande' ,also known as Large-leaf Spekboom, has slightly larger leaves than the rest of its family. This versatile plant is considered by many to be a miracle plant and is highly regarded for its ability to fight climate change. This indigenous plant acts like a carbon sponge and statistics indicate that a Spekboom thicket is 10 times more effective per hectare in carbon fighting than any rainforest.

For care, provide well-drained soil and ample sunlight. Water sparingly, as it's drought-resistant. Spekboom'Grande' benefits by occasional pruning ,helping to maintain its shape and promote branching. 

The 'Tree Aloe' is Africa's tallest Aloe and forms branches with orange spikes as flowers, creating an excellent focal point in any garden. Widely used for its architectural shape, this evergreen giant is perfect as a dramatic feature plant in large gardens and coastal properties. Often used in office parks and commercial sites,'Aloe bainesii' offers year-round structure and beauty.                                                                                                                          Young trees do well in pots, but ensure the pot is sturdy and wide. 'Tree Aloe' is proudly indigenous and thrives in full sun and dry conditions, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens in the Western Cape.

The flower can be described as a purple fairy with white wings. Lavender is a wonderful and fragrant addition to your garden. Flowers from mid spring until early summer.  Plant where there is good air circulation and well drained soil. 

'Snake Plants', sometimes referred to as' Mother-in-law's-tongue', are some of the toughest plants you can find. They are one of the best air-purifier plants, especially for people with allergies. Whether indoors, in your garden or on your balcony, these spiky beauties create striking contrast when being grouped with other plants.The 'Snake Plant' is ideal for beginner gardeners,apartments or offices; remaining a timeless favourite in Western Cape homes.

The fire sticks plant resembles sea coral and is a striking evergreen succulent shrub. It is resilient to most pests and diseases. Water hardly at all in winter and moderately in summer. Let the soil dry out before watering again. 

*Please note this plant is toxic.  Use with care.

This is an attractive, single-stemmed shrub with a round and dense habit and it is bright and colourful when in flower. It produces masses of mauve, purple, white or pink flowers displayed in clusters. This is a real eye-catcher in the garden and also reveals a sweet lemon scent when leaves are crushed. The essential oils that are extracted from the leaves are used medicinally for their antiseptic and diuretic properties. They look beautiful in a mixed fynbos bed when combined with plants such as Erica (Sugarbush) and Leucospernum (Pincushion)and Coleonema (White Confetti Bush).

A compact and hardy lavender with mauve-lilac, butterfly-like petals on silver green aromatic foliage. Flowers from mid spring to early summer. Plant where there is good air circulation and well drained soil. A wonderful and fragrant addition to your garden.   

This proudly indigenous plant is also commonly known as the 'Natal Plum' or 'Large Num-Num'. An extremely easy-to-grow, thorny shrub often used for hedges. It produces glossy, deep green leaves and highly fragrant,snowy white flowers in summer. The ornamental plump, round, crimson fruit appears in summer and autumn at the same time as the blooms.  A popular indigenous, evergreen choice for coastal gardens.                                                      Plant 1m apart for an impenetrable hedge.'Natal Plum' is easy to grow and low maintenance.                                                                                     

Tall growing variety, ideal for screening or hedging. Bright yellow flowers in spring.  Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens. Great cut flowers

 This evergreen shrub resembles rosemary but lacks its fragrance and culinary value. It excels in coastal gardens, withstanding salt spray admirably. It thrives in sandy, well-drained soil and becomes relatively drought-tolerant once established, requiring less water than other plants. Additionally, it responds well to pruning, allowing you to shape it into beautifully pruned balls, hedges, or lollipop standards. During spring and summer, it adorns itself with dainty white or blue flowers.

A beautiful variegated variety that will add a blaze of colour to your garden in late autumn and winter. Great cut flowers. Suitable for gardens with well-draining soil. Or plant in a pot. Water regularly initially.

Grown for its exceptionally beautiful velvety silver foliage. A soft, vigorous shrub with roundish, aromatic (licorice) leaves covered in silver grey hairs. Blooms consist of tiny cream-white flowers from November to January. Ideal for containers, borders and as a groundcover.  Requires well-drained soil. Indigenous. 

A striking and very popular ornamental tree that is tall, deciduous and fast growing with a distinctive greeny-yellow bark. It has sparse foliage that allows for sunlight to shine through which is perfect if you want other plants to grow underneath the tree.

Adorned with buttery yellow flowers and a central blue eye, the blooms of the African Daisy - Osteospermum 'Serenity Blue Eyed Beauty' are a captivating addition to any landscape. This low-maintenance and drought-tolerant beauty is ideal for mass planting and containers, adding an enchanting touch to your outdoor space. Once established, it thrives with minimal care. Don't forget to prune it back after flowering for continuous blooms and a flourishing garden display

Excellent used as a windbreak or hedge. Can be cut to any size. Indigenous.A strikingly attractive and hardy drought resistant tree, with an uncommon silvery-blue appearance that contrasts beautifully with surrounding, darker green foliage. Well suited to harsh coastal conditions. It has a non invasive root system and can be used close to walls. Easily trained as a shrub or screening plant that can provide privacy in a short space of time due to its fast growing rate.

 Prune off the lower branches to form a shade tree; and if space is limited, grow it in a large pot.

Striped Mondo Grass,also known as 'Lilyturf', is an ornamental grass variety with variegated green and white,curved, ribbon-like leaves. They are evergreen and exceptionally hardy and grow in dense clusters. They produce tiny snow-white,bell-like flowers in summer. Primarily used as groundcovers, they are equally charming as border plants in front of flower beds and as filler plants between paved areas.

A carpet of Striped Mondo grass creates a magical sense of serenity in your winter and summer garden.

This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant gem thrives in mass plantings and containers. Plant in well-draining soil, and water moderately for a mesmerizing display. Complement its coral splendor with charming companions like elegant blue agapanthus, the delicate grace of white alyssum, or the graceful allure of purple verbena, creating a garden tapestry that's truly magical.

The Jade Plant'Sunset' is a popular and award-winning succulent shrub with glossy, rounded, fleshy green leaves adorned with golden yellow tips and red edges. Clusters of small white to pale pink flowers bloom from Autumn to Spring. As it ages, the stout grey trunk and limbs become massive and thick.The Jade Plant is versatile and easy to grow and perfect for succulent gardens,rockeries and indoor pot plants.

Drought-resistant, evergreen shrubs and trees, with handsome, glossy foliage and fragrant, starry-white, jasmine-like flowers. Ornamental and edible, scarlet to crimson oval fruits are produced after flowering. Carissas are attractive, ornamental shrubs and make excellent hedges. Does well in coastal areas. Plant 1 m to form an impenetrable hedge, they have thorns. 

This succulent has a lovely medium sized rosette and unusual colouring of chocolate-grey green leaves. Perfect for growing in containers on its own or as part of a mixed succulent arrangement.

Provides a striking colour contrast in rock gardens and adds interest and variation in succulent gardens.

Water-wise,prefers full sun /part shade.

Snake plants, sometimes referred to as mother-in-law's-tongue, are some of the toughest plants you can find. Whether indoors, in your garden or on your balcony, these spiky beauties with green and silver leaves can put up with almost anything. .

 With glossy, cream-and-green variegated foliage, Coprosma ‘Marble Chips’ adds year-round colour to any garden. Naturally salt-tolerant, it’s ideal for Cape Town’s coastal gardens.

Grows into a dense shrub, perfect for screening, borders, or mixed beds. Low-maintenance and evergreen, it thrives in full sun and requires little more than occasional trimming to keep a neat shape.

A South African indigenous treasure.  A low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant that's perfect for mass planting and containers. Plant it in well-draining soil, provide ample sunlight, and water moderately for stunning results. Pair with fragrant lavender, vibrant salvia, or lively orange zinnias for a vibrant garden display.

An unusual male hybrid, produces showy red foliage in early spring and into summer. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens, once established.

Black 'n Bloom Salvia is tough as nails, it thrives in heat, drought and humidity. Very easy to grow, requiring very little attention. With its desirable deep blue color against a black stem this Salvia will be a true focal point in any garden. The foliage will exude a soft anise scent when bruised. Attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

These enchanting blooms display lovely flowers that gracefully fade from light pink at the tips to white in the center. They bring a touch of wonder to any landscape and are perfect for pots, borders, and garden beds. This low-maintenance and drought-tolerant beauty is ideal for mass planting and containers. Once established, it thrives with minimal care. Be sure to prune it back after flowering for continuous blooms and a garden display filled with magic.

This pink, white or purple flowered buchu is an eye-catcher in a pot or in the garden when flowering.

This evergreen, structural plant forms a bulbous trunk-like stem, resembling an elephants foot. The swollen base stores water and makes this an ideal waterwise option.  It's drought tolerant and hardy. Can be grown as an indoor plant but will require bright light. Will grow slower in a container than in the ground. Use potting soil that drains well. Waterwise, tough and ideal for a patio. 

This genus is an excellent garden plant, as a focal point or planted in groups, and provides stunning long-stemmed cut flowers. They produce large orange flowers in Spring and turn a vibrant red colour after flowering. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens and equally beautiful as a container plant. Also commonly known in Afrikaans as “Speldekussing”

Very popular evergreen succulent of striking beauty. It forms a solitary rosette of rounded, pointed pastel grey leaves adorned with lavender-pink highlights. The overlapping leaves are delicately dusted with a fine white powder which adds to the plant's unique appeal.One of the most prolific echeverias, producing generous flowering spikes of coral pink flowers yearly. Highly valued in floral arrangements, wedding bouquets and an excellent container plant.Adds beautiful colour and contrast to your garden landscape.

The dense growth of 'Dune Crowberry' ensures that they make excellent wind breakers and large screening shrubs. They create beautiful clipped hedges and can be shaped to use in  containers and pots. Great for bonsai enthusiasts,due to its pruning adaptability.The 'Alex' variety has slightly larger leaves than other Searsia (Rhus) Crenata .'Dune Crowberry' is  indigenous and drought-and wind-resistant and does extremely well in coastal areas.

A compact lavender with an upright growth habit and dark violet flowers on silver green aromatic foliage. Ideal for pots and for mass planting. Flowers in spring.

Tube like leaves resembling little hunting horns. Grows upright.

A full, well-branched plant with lovely purple blooms that attracts bees and butterflies to the garden. Low maintenance and drought tolerant once established. Ideal for mass planting and containers.

A striking two-toned double flowering variety with a compact growth habit, the African Daisy - Osteospermum 'Flowerpower 3D Berry White' is ideal for pots, borders, and garden beds. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant beauty thrives in mass plantings and containers. Plant it in well-draining soil for stunning results. Combine it with the vibrant hues of purple verbena and the airy elegance of Gaura for a captivating garden display.

Deep orange flowers cover this plant in spring and summer attracting birds to your garden. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens or containers. Great cut flower. Do not fertilize. Pick all flowers to maintain shape.

The mass display of flowers on this shrub is sure to catch the eye. Dark orange flowers in spring will attract birds to the garden. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens.

An evergreen sub-shrub with vibrant, purple-magenta, pea-like flowers, adorning a compact mound of gray-green foliage for much of the year.

 A resilient shrub boasting lush green foliage and magnificent bursts of pink or white blooms each spring. Elevate your garden effortlessly with its low-maintenance charm. Shape it into the hedge of your dreams or let it flourish in pots or beds.

Leucadendron 'Summer Sun' Conebush lights up Cape Town and George gardens in spring with radiant blooms. Water-wise and low-care, it’s equally stunning in containers or borders—and doubles as excellent cut flowers. Position in a sunny spot with sandy, well-drained soil, prune lightly after flowering, and mulch around the base to retain moisture for vigorous, long-lasting plants.

 A resilient shrub boasting lush green foliage and magnificent bursts of pink or white blooms each spring. Elevate your garden effortlessly with its low-maintenance charm. Shape it into the hedge of your dreams or let it flourish in pots or beds.

This extra-dwarf crested marigold is compact and heat tolerant.  Hot Pak will bloom all summer long even in high and humid temperatures.  These vigorous plants will bloom abundantly and are ideal for containers, patios and the garden.  Attracts bees and butterflies.

An eye cather in any garden with mauve to purple flowers. Buchus have small, round oil glands on their leaves and fruit. Crushing the leaves of this buchu releases a sweet lemon scent. A threatened and endangered specie in its natural habitat.

This extra-dwarf crested marigold is compact and heat tolerant.  Hot Pak will bloom all summer long even in high and humid temperatures.  These vigorous plants will bloom abundantly and are ideal for containers, patios and the garden.  Attracts bees and butterflies.

A delight in winter when many other flowers are dormant. When in full bloom, this evergreen creeper is a magnificent cascading waterfall of orange trumpets with shiny green leaves. Ideal to cover pergolas, walls or to hide unsightly garden features like watertanks. Tolerates coastal conditions. Will attract bees, butterflies and birds to the garden.

The dense growth of this plant ensures that they make excellent wind breakers and large screening shrubs. They make a beautiful clipped hedge and can be planted in a container and shaped. Great for bonsai enthusiasts. Great coastal option. Indigenous.

A marigold with a mounded habit and multi-colours on one plant.  Blooms open to a deep pink with a yellow crest and matures to straw yellow.  In warmer conditions, colour changes faster with less distinct contrast.   Heat tolerant and attracts bees and butterflies to the garden.

A beautiful compact ornamental shrub producing masses of unique apricot coloured flowers in spring. Great cut flowers. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens. Suitable for gardens with well-draining, acidic soil.  Water regularly initially (first 1-2 years). Do not fertilize. Pick all flowers to maintain shape. Great in a pots, water daily.

An exquisite new addition, this striking groundcover produces masses of creamy white flowers, which turn dark pink as they mature.

The Jade Plant,also known as the 'Money Plant', is a well-known native succulent shrub with a compact growth habit. Ovata has glossy, grey-green,oval succulent leaves with a red margin and bears masses of pink flowers from Winter to Spring. The Jade plant's vibrant green leaves and tree-like structure make it a favourite for pots,windowsills,rockeries and succulent gardens.

This extra-dwarf crested marigold is compact and heat tolerant.  Hot Pak will bloom all summer long even in high and humid temperatures.  These vigorous plants will bloom abundantly and are ideal for containers, patios and the garden.  Attracts bees and butterflies.

Long lasting vibrant red flowers make a welcome addition to any garden. Great cut flowers and ideal for low maintenance and low water use gardens.

Leucospermum 'Ayoba® Pink Pin Cushion' brings vibrant pink blooms in spring and draws birds into your Western Cape garden. Hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance, it’s perfect for fynbos landscapes or containers. Plant in sandy, well-draining soil, keep roots cool with mulch, and water deeply until established for the best results.