CALL OF THE Sea

Open to the elements and slightly wild at heart, seaside gardens have a weathered charm and relaxed feel that can be recreated wherever you live

- RACHEL CROW

Coastal gardens have a barefoot, casual style, embracing natural textures, weathered finishes, loose and relaxed planting, and spots to pause and enjoy the peace and the panorama. And while a sea view can come with challenging conditions, it also presents an opportunity to grow plants that thrive in the salty, exposed situation and create a design unlike any other.

Having somewhere to sit in the garden to enjoy the view is paramount, surrounded by planting designed 'to lift the eye to the landscape', suggests garden designer Helen Elks-Smith. 'If you have a view of the sea from the house, the star of the show will be the water, she explains. 'The task for the garden is to keep fairly quiet, to reduce the visual noise in the foreground and allow the eye to be drawn to the water and absorb the view.

PLANTING INSPIRED BY THE SURROUNDINGS

When it comes to the planting colour palette, take inspiration from the coastal surroundings. 'I like to look at the skies, the sand and the materials and take colour influence from there,' explains garden designer Jo Thompson.

'Silvers, olive greens, purples, whites, blues and yellows tend to be the colours that you find in native coastal plants, but splashes of vibrant hot colours can also be introduced, adds garden designer Sue Townsend.

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