Blues, greys and silvers are very much in vogue, with modern planting schemes leaning heavily on cool colours. Some may argue that the reds, purples and yellows that were so popular a decade ago have fallen out of favour. If you’re looking for a list of the best plants with cool tones capable of tolerating sandy soils, humidity and salt-laden winds, this list was created just for you.
Almost all of these plants belong to species well-known to tolerate coastal positions, with a couple of hybrids that we suspect tolerate coastal conditions but we haven’t specifically tested them. These have been noted below.
Native Australian Cool-Toned Coastal-Hardy Plants
- Dianella spp ‘DIAN04’ PBR Intended Trade name Summer Rev™ (untested – recommended for non-frontal position). https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/summer-rev-compact-blue-dianella-tough-versatile/
- Cassa Blue® Dianella caerulea ‘DBB03’ https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/cassa-blue-dianella-is-a-strappy-leaf-plant-with-beautiful-blue-foliage/
- Clarity Blue™ Dianella hybrid ‘DP401’ PBR (untested- recommended for non-frontline positions). https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/clarity-blue-dianella/
- Kingsdale™ Poa poiformis ‘PP500’. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-grasses/kingsdale-poa-is-a-tussock-grass-with-contrasting-arching-blue-foliage-ornamental-native-grass/
- Chrysocephalum ‘CAP07’ PBR Trade Name Aussie Reflection™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/aussie-reflection-chrysocephalum/
- Rhagodia spinescens ‘SAB01’ PBR Trade Name Aussie Flat Bush™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/aussie-flat-bush-rhagodia-is-a-low-growing-and-compact-form-of-saltbush/
- Rhagodia spinescens ‘SAB02’ PBR Intended Trade Name Aussie Hedge Bush™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/aussie-hedge-bush-rhagodia/
- Poa spp. ‘POL12’ PBR Trade Name Eskdale Blue™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-grasses/eskdale-blue/
- Lomandra Fluviatilis ‘LM380’ PBR Trade Name Shara Blue™ (untested, recommended for non-frontline position). https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/shara-blue-lomandra-resilient-blue-foliage-wet-soils-low-maintenance/
- Correa alba ‘COR10’ PBR Trade Name Coastal Pink™. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/coastal-pink-correa-copes-well-with-coastal-winds/
- Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/grey-box-westringia-is-a-drought-tolerant-native-box-hedge-plant-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
- Better John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ1’ https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/better-john-is-a-better-bred-callistemon-viminalis-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
Exotic Cool-Toned Coastal-Hardy Plants
- Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR. https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/hardy-exotic-range/double-gold-gazania-is-a-sterile-spreading-ground-cover-plant-with-masses-of-yellow-flowers-hardy-exotic-range/
- Border Blue™ Dianthus ‘DIAN 202’ PBR Intended (untested- recommended for non-frontline positions). https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/landscape-flowers/border-blue/
- Metrosideros collina ‘MB01’ PBR Trade Name Velvet Sky™. (Inky blue stems, with more foliage blue tones in light shade) https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/hardy-exotic-range/velvet-sky-metrosideros/
Balance and Harmony
Whether you’re specifically looking for an Australian native palette, or you’re open to plants from around the world, this list of plants gives you a reliable foundation for your coastal planting schemes. I hope you’re able to make good use of them.