Salt Tolerant Plants for the Seashore

Gardeners by the seashore have the same concerns as gardeners inland and an extra one. The salt from the ocean spray is not compatible with most plants. Salt gets into the newly forming buds of the plant and kills the plant from the inside out. Over the generations, some plants have evolved and developed ways to stand up to salt. Salt can travel on the wind a good distance from the shore itself, so think of these plants even if you are not right up against the sand.

Trees

Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) grows from 40 to 60 feet tall and almost as wide. The tree is hardy in USDA zones 4 though 7 and likes cool, moist climates. The tree can go in either partial shade or full sun.

California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) is found in Oregon and California and is hardy in zones 7 to 9. The tree grow from 40 to 70 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide. Plant the tree in full sun and a soil that is moist to dry.
The tree likes full sun or partial shade and a moist, well-drained soil.

Japanese Pagoda Tree(Sophora japonica) is a member of the pea family. The tree grows up to 60 feet tall and 80 feet wide. Give the tree full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. The tree produces medium to dark-green leaves and cream-white to yellow-green flowers. Thick green seed pods become yellow-green fruit that lasts on the tree through December. The tree is hardy in zones 5 through 8.

Shrubs

Hack's Red Tatarian Honeysuckle(Lonicera tatarica) grows up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide with purple-red, tube-shaped flowers that produce orange or scarlet berries in late summer. The shrub is hardy in zones 4 to 10 and likes full sun or partial shade and dry to moist sandy or clay soil.

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea) is also known as paper flower. The shrub is an evergreen or semi-evergreen that grows up to 30 feet tall with heart shaped leaves and small, yellow white flowers. The plant likes full sun and moist to dry soil. Bougainvillea is hardy in zones 9 to 11.

Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) is a member of the dogbane family. The plant is a small tree or tall shrub, evergreen and grows up to 20 feet tall. Natal plum produces egg shaped, glossy-green leaves, white star-shaped flowers with the scent of orange blossoms. Plant in full sun or partial shade and a moist to dry soil. The plant is hardy in zones 9 to 11.

Bib Villa

University of Florida