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 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. 

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.

'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.

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.   

Golden sunshine for your garden! Leucospermum 'High Gold' is a tall growing variety that produces bright yellow flowers in spring. Perfect for screening or hedging, this South African beauty creates stunning privacy while adding vibrant color to your landscape.

The ultimate low-maintenance choice - thrives in low water use gardens and provides great cut flowers for indoor arrangement. Water-wise and hardy, it's the perfect solution for busy gardeners who want maximum impact

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.                                                                                     

 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.

The Conebush 'Jolly Joker' (Leucadendron salignum x laureolum) is a stunning variegated indigenous fynbos with colorful foliage that transforms from green to brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows in autumn and winter. This compact shrub produces excellent cut flowers and creates a vibrant focal point in water-wise gardens.

Plant in well-draining soil in full sun for best color development. Water moderately until established, then drought-tolerant. Perfect for coastal gardens and containers. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.

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. 

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

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.

The sunbeam faces of this Gazania variety adds a vivid splash of colour to border edges, containers and dry slopes.  They produce masses of starry golden flowers with an orange halo around the centre above carpets of neat foliage.  These sizzling Gazanias look fabulous combined with bright-coloured bedding plants such as marigolds and nasturtiums and exotic climbers like Thunbergia.  Grow in full sun and plant in sandy, well-drained soil.  Good for difficult, dry conditions and coastal gardens

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.

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.

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. .

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.

 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 tall-growing bougainvillea that ensures masses of flowers. An unusual variety with white floral bracts that age to pink. Plant in a sunny spot in well-draining soil. 

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.

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.

This bright yellow perennial Gazania is native to the mountains of South Africa and produce large, daisy-like flowerheads in autumn, spring and summer. They are often planted as a drought-tolerant groundcover.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Create unforgettable garden memories! Leucospermum 'Memory' delivers a mass display of flowers that's sure to catch the eye. Dark orange flowers in spring attract birds to your garden, making every season memorable.

The perfect low-maintenance choice - this South African classic is ideal for low water use gardens and delivers reliable performance year after year. Water-wise and indigenous, it's a timeless addition to any landscape!

Plant in well-draining, sandy soil in full sun and water deeply twice weekly for the first 1-2 years until established, then reduce to drought watering.

Tube like leaves resembling little hunting horns. Grows upright.

Purple and bloom is a bit more compact than Black & bloom and it grows more vigorously. Heat tolerant and hardy. Will attract birds & butterflies to the garden.

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.

A beautiful vigorous growing bougainvillea with bright magenta red bracts. Suitable to cover patios and for screening. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use 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.

Purple Haze is a small evergreen shrub with silvery purple coloured foliage in winter and silver cones at Christmas. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens. Water well to establish. Great for cut flowers.

Hybrid bougainvillea with vibrant dark purple floral bracts, complimented with beautiful olive green foliage. Suitable for hedges and ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens.

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.

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 beautiful compact ornamental shrub producing masses of unique apricot colored flowers in spring. Great cut flowers and ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens. This stunning variety brings warm, sunny tones to your landscape and works perfectly in containers or as part of a mixed fynbos planting.

Plant in well-draining, acidic soil in full sun and water regularly for the first 1-2 years until established, then reduce to drought watering. Apply organic mulch to keep roots cool, never fertilize as fynbos thrives in nutrient-poor conditions, and pick all flowers regularly to maintain shape and encourage continuous blooming. In containers, water daily during growing season.

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.

Hebe is a medium sized shrub with large, rounded glossy green leaves often seen growing in coastal areas. A vigorous grower that will produce a striking display of purple / blue flowers.

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, adding soft color contrast to your indigenous plant collection.

Plant in sandy, well-draining soil in a sunny position and water deeply twice weekly for the first year until established. Keep roots cool with mulch, never fertilize (fynbos plants prefer nutrient-poor soils), and deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms and maintain the plant's neat, compact shape.

Stunning masses of color in spring! This compact shrub delivers spectacular red blooms that invite birds to the garden while creating a vibrant carnival atmosphere. Perfect for low maintenance, low water use gardens and containers, it brings year-round structure and seasonal excitement to any landscape design.

Simple to grow - plant in well-draining, sandy soil in full sun and water deeply twice weekly for the first year, then reduce to drought watering. Apply organic mulch to keep roots cool, avoid all fertilizers as fynbos plants thrive in poor soils, and regularly deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering and maintain the plant's compact form.

The floral bracts on this beautiful bougainvillea open orange, turning pink as they age. This variety has a full growth habit providing masses of blooms. Ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens.

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.

Sincerely spectacular! Leucospermum 'So Sincere' produces long lasting vibrant red flowers that make a welcome addition to any garden. This elegant needle-leaf hybrid delivers genuine beauty that you can count on season after season.

Perfect for the practical gardener - provides great cut flowers and is ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens. Water-wise and indigenous, it's a sincere commitment to effortless gardening!

An extremely popular choice among garden enthusiasts. Its vibrant, voltage yellow color truly sets it apart. This indigenous beauty brings the essence of South Africa to your garden, thriving effortlessly in its homeland. Perfect for pots, borders, and garden beds. This low-maintenance and drought-tolerant gem, making it a top choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.