NATIVE L.I. SEASHORE PLANTS THAT SURVIVE AND THRIVE

If super-storm Sandy taught us anything, it was which plants will tolerate salt. Here are some of our favorites. Being by the salt water also usually means WINDY conditions. Create a natural looking windbreak for privacy or shade by strategically planting odd number groupings, single specimens, or informal hedgerows of these salt tolerant beauties. Try for a nice balanced mix of grasses, perennials, groundcovers, woody trees and shrubs and evergreens. Stagger the heights and size/ages of the plants for a more relaxed, wild “evolved over time” look. #linativeplants #replantreplacerenew

PERENNIALS- Provide an everchanging succession of color throughout the season marking the passage of time. Plant in generous drifts if possible or in strategically placed containers at key focal points. These eyecatchers want to be placed in your direct view from the house or deck/patio.

Limonium latifolium-Sea Lavender, Malva moschetus-Swamp Rose Mallow, Asclepias tuberosa-Butterflyweed, , Armeria maritima -Sea Thrift, Rosemary, Thyme, Dianthus, Solidago =Seaside Goldenrods, Asters

GRASSES & GROUNDCOVERS- A big important category. Please do not skimp on planting, they are what ties together the surrounding landscape and visually supports the other plantings. Not to mention holding back the soil, mulch etc. from eroding due to flooding.

GRASSES- Andropogon gerardii -Big Bluestem, Schizochyrum scoparium- Little bluestem, Panicum virgatum- Switchgrass , Ammophialia breviluguila- Beach grass, Juncus effusus – Soft Rush, Deschampsia- Hair grass, Carex pennsylvanica- Pennsylvania Sedge, Chasmantemum -Sea Oats

GROUNDCOVERS- Artimesia stellerana- Beach Wormwood, Arctostaphylos uva ursi-Bearberry, Opuntia-Prickly Pear cactus, Delosperma- Ice plant, Thymus serpyllum- Creeping thyme, Juniperus conforta - Shore juniper

SHRUBS- If you’re needing inspiration on how to add native shrubs to the overall composition of your planting, look to any of our beautiful parks, beaches and unspoiled shorelines to see how nature arranges things. There is no better teacher!

Myrica pennsylvanica- Bayberry, Rosa palustris, R. virginiana- Swamp or wild rose, Vitex agnes castus- Chaste Tree, Ilex verticillate- Winterberry, Prunus maritima- Beach plum, Ilex glabra-Inkberry, Aronia- Chokeberry Vaccinium angustifolia- Lowbush Blueberry, Cistus scoparius- Scotch Broom,

TREES- Salt water locations tend to also be hot, dry and very often windy so think about where you could plant a few trees that will help. Many times, it is the southwestern side of the property that could use the cooling effect or north side a windbreak. Of course, you don’t want to block the view but a carefully sited tree or two can frame and enhance it plus give you a shady place to sit and enjoy!

Amelanchier- Shadbush, Baccharis hamilifolia- Groundsel, Betula nigra- River Birch, Juniperus virginiana- Eastern Red Cedar, Pinus mugo- Mugo Pine, Nyssa sylvatica- Blackgum, Pinus rigida- Pitch pine , Pinus thunbergia- Black Pine , Quercus alba- White Oak Q. rubra- Red Oak