It’s not only coastal gardens that have to deal with persistent winds. Inland gardens at higher altitude also get regularly battered.
Don’t fight it!
There are plenty of plants for which these conditions are a breeze. Here are ten shrubs that are up to the challenge.
Isanti Red-Osier Dogwood
Zone: 2 – 8
Spring flowers and showy blood-red stems in winter. Loves moist conditions. Partial to full sun. Up to 6′ fall and wide.
Santa’s Delight® English Holly
Zone: 6 – 9
Bright red berries persist into winter. Add a male English holly for best berry set. Full to partial shade. Up to 12′ tall and 8′ wide.
Blue Gem Westringia
Zone: 9 – 10
Perfect in coastal or inland windy spots; thrives with minimal watering or care. Filtered to full sun. Up to 6′ tall and wide.
Starkie’s Gold Arborvitae
Zone: 3 – 7
Bright golden, aromatic foliage on a tall narrow pyramidal form. Tolerates limestone soils. Full sun. Up to 15′ tall and 4′ wide.
Majestic Beauty® Indian Hawthorn
Zone: 7 – 11
Easy-to-grow evergreen shrub produces fragrant, pearl-pink flowers. Partial to full sun. Up to 25′ tall and 10′ wide.
Dwarf Strawberry Tree
Zone: 7 – 9
White flowers yield bright, edible fruits. Fuss-free year-round interest. Partial to full sun. Up to 8′ tall and wide.
Icee Blue® Juniper
Zone: 3 – 9
Full, dense crown of finely textured foliage creates a solid cover in a short time. Full sun. Up to 4″ tall spreading to 8′ wide.
Northern Bayberry
Zone: 4 – 6
This American native thrives in the alkaline sandy soils. Fragrant, dense foliage. Partial to full sun. Up to 9′ tall and wide.
Purple Cow™ Crape Myrtle
Zone: 6 – 9
Mid-size, compact shrub features beautiful, deep purple flowers set against dark green foliage. Full sun. Up to 10′ tall and 5′ wide.
Prague Viburnum
Zone: 5 – 8
Pink buds open to lightly fragrant, creamy white flowers. Partial to full sun. Up to 10′ tall and 8′ wide.
Good to Know:
- Choose appropriate, wind-resilient species.
- These are suggestions–any shrub can fail if not planted in appropriate conditions and given the care required.
- Shrubs planted in groups tend to sustain less damage than single shrubs standing alone.
- Plant in groups of 5 or more.
- Add other shrubs to ensure diversity.
