Northwest Coastal Landscaping Ideas

Native Plant Gardens

• Coastal climates can present some landscaping challenges for gardeners regarding plant selection. Depending upon where you live, climates can vary from subtropical to temperate rainforests. Choose native plants for best success. Replicate native habitats to attract wildlife and butterflies with plants such as wild rye and blue violet. Be sure to provide shrubs or trees for cover as well as a source of water.

Cottage Garden

• Set a particular mood with plants. Create a comfortable, inviting feel with a cottage garden. Plants such as baby’s breath and pincushion flower will do well in coastal environments. Heirloom varieties of roses or other plants give the garden a casual elegance. Add lawn ornaments, such as sun dial or bird bath, for added interest.

Garden Room

• Create a garden room with shrubs. Planted along the border, the shrubs will provide a privacy screen. For added color, plant flowering shrubs, such as Pacific Rhododendron or Western Azalea. Add a garden bench or rustic chair and table for relaxing. Keep in mind the coastal weather conditions, such as high humidity and rain, when choosing your outdoor furniture.

Ponds and Water Gardens

• Embrace the Northwest coastal climate and create a water garden. Be sure and check with your city for any fencing requirements that may be needed. Select a location protected from the wind and elements if adding plants or fish. Border the pond with decorative rock both to make the water garden more of a feature and to protect the banks of the pond from erosion brought about by heavy rains.

Water Features

• If your yard contains a steep slope, use it to create a waterfall or stream. Line the stream with a plastic liner and fill with a substrate such as gravel. Plant some native coastal flowers, such as day lily and coreopsis, along its border for added color. Rocks and stones provide a natural look that helps bring the Northwest coast to your backyard.