by Laurie Keit

Don’t think for a moment that you can’t have a spectacular garden by the sea! By choosing the right plants, you can have an amazing garden that will stand up to the elements and even make Poseidon proud.

When planning a coastal garden, consider the orientation of your garden to the sun. Take a compass and draw a basic outline of your garden. Use the following general guidelines to help in your plant choices. West is for wind. South is for sun. East is for early morning light and north-facing walls are for shade.

Begin by choosing a theme or style. Take clues from the architecture of your home. Repeat key architectural features in the hardscape.

Make sure to incorporate lighting and heating into your design so you will want to spend time in your new garden.

Here in Northern California you can successfully use plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and parts of South America in your garden. Choose low-growing plants with thick, leathery leaves. Start with small plants and make sure they are on an automatic drip irrigation system, as salt air and winds will quickly dry them out.

Choose plants that will thrive here, such as Artemisia, Bougainvillea, Ceanothus, Chrysanthemum, Cistus, Correa, Echium, Erigeron, Gaillardia, Leptospermum, lupines, rosemary, thrift, yarrow and Yucca. There are dozens of other choices, but these are a few.

Consider using a combination of various plants in repeating patterns to create a well-balanced garden. The following formula is a good rule of thumb:

• Trees: one to two types.

• Shrubs: three to four types.

• Perennials: five to six types.

• Grasses: two to three types.

• Vines: one to two types.

• Groundcovers: two to three types.

• Bulbs and annuals: two to three types each.

The actual number used will depend upon personal preference and available space.

Plants should be mulched to keep down weeds. Weed cloth isn’t necessary and mulch doesn’t mean only tree bark. You can use seashells, glass, rock, straw and more. Be creative! There are many avenues for obtaining free wood chips — but take care that they didn’t come from diseased trees.

Happy Gardening!

Laurie Keit is a garden designer and florist who has been doing business on the coast through her company, Seasonal Celebrations, since 2001. An 18-year   Pacifica resident, she can be contacted at 650-722-0091, by e-mail at keit@sbc global.net, or through her Web site, www.seasonalcelebrations.com.