The Oregon coast is a large place, with many variations in local microclimates. Few sites are more challenging to find plants for than the shoreline. Many plants on coastal plant lists are worth trying in these sites, but there are a few shrub and perennial selections that are noted for their adaptability to fully salt and wind exposed locations. Some are widely used, others deserve more attention.
Shrubs
Some native shrubs for seashore conditions:
- Willows (Salix sitchensis and Salix hookeriana)
- Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica)
- Salal (Gaultheria shallon)
- Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
- Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)
- Coast Silk Tassel (Garrya elliptica)
- Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana)
- Western Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
Some salt and wind hardy non-native shrubs include:
- Escallonia (Escallonia – try some of the variations like Pride of Donnarrd or Gold Brian)
- California Lilac (Ceanothus, particularly the native Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)
- Winter’s Bark (Drimys lanceolata)
- Mock Orange (Pittosporum tobira & Pittosproum tenuifolium)
- Rockrose (Cistus – several species)
- Hebe (Hebe – several species)
- Spider flower (Grevillea – several species)
- Mountain Laurel (Kalmia lafifolia)
- Spiraea (Spiraea – several species, including the native Spiraea douglasii)
- Weigela (Weigela florida)
- Abelia (Abelia grandiflora and hybrids)
Perennials
Native perennials that grow to the sand line include:
- Beach Strawberry (Fargaria vesca)
- Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima)
- Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus)
- Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
- Tough leaf Iris (Iris tenax)
- Foam Flower (Tiarella)
- Fringe Cups (Tellima grandiflora)
Some seashore durable non-native perennials include:
- Daylily (Hemerocallis)
- Stonecrop (Sedum)
- Lavender (Lavandula, particularly Lavandula angustifolia)
- Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus)
- Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
- Russian Sage (Perovskia)
- Ornamental Sage (Salvia)
- Lithodora
- Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus ruber)
- Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum)
- Montbretia (Crocosmia)
- Spurge (Euphorbia)
- Canna Lily (Canna)
- Plantain Lily (Hosta)
- St John’s Wort (Hypericum, shrub forms too)