Got Western Exposure? Plants, Shrubs, & Trees for Whidbey Island’s Coastal Gardens
Hot afternoon sun, salt spray, strong winds, and sandy soils pose a special challenge to Whidbey Island’s coastal gardens. Luckily, some beautiful plants can thrive even in these tough conditions! Here is a list of plants for coastal landscaping that are typically in stock at Venture Out Nursery.
Groundcovers for Coastal Conditions
Sedums: Tough, deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant, these evergreen groundcovers practically thrive on neglect! We have many awesome varieties at Venture Out, such as Blue Spruce.
Coastal Strawberry: A hardy Northwest native, this compact plant spreads well in coastal conditions. Small white flowers appear in spring, becoming red summer fruit that attracts birds. We have Coastal Strawberries currently on sale for 30% off while supplies last!
Sage, Rosemary, & Thyme: These hearty herbs are tough enough even for coastal conditions. Their beautiful, compact foliage is evergreen and spreads happily. (Over time, Rosemary and Sage can grow to be shrub-sized.) We have many different colors and textures of these perennial wonders available at Venture Out.
Perennial Blooms for Coastal Conditions
Lavateras: Many species are native to the California coast, and these tall plants with their large, sweetly colored blooms are a welcome addition to any Northwest coastal landscape as well! Both the pale pink “Barnsley” and magenta “Bredon Springs” Lavateras are available here at Venture Out Nursery.
Wallflowers: Tough, deer-resistant, and colorful, these are a staple in many Northwest gardens and are hardy enough to handle coastal conditions, too. We have yellow, “Apricot Twist,” and purple Wallflowers available here at the Nursery.
Yarrow: Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and bursting with summer color, Yarrow are available at Venture Out in “Moonshine” yellow, “Siren Song Little Susie” pink, and “Fireland” orange.
Lavender: A hardy Northwest favorite! Check out our selection at the Nursery, which includes the unusual “Platinum Blonde” variegated lavender, as well as more traditional varieties like “Phenomenal” and “Hidcote.”
Irises: These perennials are amazingly tough. Some varieties, like the “Rose Ark” Iris, can tolerate both standing water and dry sand. They’re carefree, easy to grow, and may even naturalize in your garden. We have some of these beauties currently on sale at Venture Out for 30% off while supplies last!
Bergenia: With its leathery green leaves, these super hardy plants can handle life on the coast. We currently have “Diamond Drop” in stock, a rare dwarf variety with lovely white flowers in summer.
Santolina: Silvery evergreen foliage is drought-tolerant and ready for the coast, with a strong camphor smell that can be used to repel moths. It produces cheery yellow flowers in summer. Come smell our Santolina at the Nursery today!
Grasses for Coastal Conditions
Blue Fescue: Drought-tolerant in shady conditions, but equally happy in full sun, this beautifully colored grass is a great addition to seaside garden borders. We’re featuring some Blue Fescue in our front display tables right now!
Miscanthus: So many tall, tough Miscanthus varieties to choose from! They add texture to any garden. One of our favorites is Morning Light with its shimmering silvery appearance.
Shrubs & Hedges for Coastal Conditions
Rock Rose: The cistus family make excellent evergreen groundcovers, with rose-like blooms in the early summer. These shrubs can spread and grow up to 4–6 feet tall! Visit us at the Nursery to see the different colored blooms and foliage on varieties like “Orchid,” “Mickey,” and “Sunset.”
Escalonia “Pink Princess:” A fast-growing, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant evergreen shrub with shiny leaves that show no signs of spotting—even with salty spray. It produces beautiful pink flowers in summer and can be pruned to create a nice screen or hedge.
Barberry: From neon yellow and green to fiery red and deep purple, there’s a Barberry for every Northwest garden. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and brilliantly colored, this deciduous shrub is a great choice for hedges and colorful landscape accents. Come see our collection at Venture Out today!
Dwarf Shore Pines: These slow-growers are one of the few varieties of conifer that can handle salty ocean spray, and they’re available here at our Nursery.
Rugosa Roses & Rugosa Rose Hybrids: These hearty Roses form nice hedges in seaside gardens, thriving even in wind, salty air, sun, and sandy soils. (Venture Out is currently sold out of these beauties, but we’ll have them again next year!)
Trees for Coastal Conditions
Hornbeam: A beautiful deciduous tree with eye-catching foilage, the Hornbeam grows to 20–30 feet high and is at home on the coast and in the sun. Four of these trees are currently available at our Nursery!
Ginko: Heralded as a “living fossil” and one of the oldest tree species on the planet, the deciduous broadleaf Ginko tolerates coastal conditions and likes sunshine. We have just a couple left here at Venture Out, and they’re gorgeous!
Whether you live high on a western bluff or down by the Sound on Whidbey’s east side, Venture Out has plants for you. We love catering to our Whidbey Island clientele and encourage you to drop by our Nursery or call with any questions!
Written by Olivia Round.