Hello, I live right on the water on Vancouver Island and have had nothing but trouble trying to find plant/tree varieties that are able to withstand the extreme weather we experience. In particular, my plants and trees become fried every year from the salt spray. I have tried covering them up, even the trees, but the cost of this is just getting silly so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what might withstand the wind and rain (and salt!). Thank you!
I'm interested to know what you've tried that has not been successful. The most salt tolerant things I can think of are Pampas Grass, Cortaderia selloana Daylillies, Hemerocallis species and cultivars Blanketflower, Gaillardia pulchella Oleander, Nerium oleander Several Oak trees, Quercus sp. Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia Several Pines and several Sumac trees. Several Euphorbia sp. A few Magnolias Several Palms (if you want to go to the extra trouble to baby them.) I'm sure others will weigh in. I live a block from the water. P.S. I've seen at least one massive Monkey Puzzle Tree, Araucaria araucana and several mature fig trees at oceanfront homes.
Thank you for your reply. I have tried a number of those varieties to no avail but there are a few you mentioned that I will definitely look into. It's amazing, my neighbour across the road is able to grow absolutely anything in their garden, but mine gets hammered because of it's direction in the cove. Ideally I am looking for things that work year-round. In the fall/winter, my garden just looks so bare and gloomy, so anything will help. Thanks!
You're welcome westcoast86. I also suggest that when you find something that does well at your house, that you plant some kind of windbreak if possible to shield other stuff.
I just asked a friend of mine who lives on the ocean up here, and she said that Rugosa roses, all kinds of heathers, and yarrow have really flourished at her place.
