Coastal Garden - Tropical

Name: Coastal Garden - Tropical

Open to the public? No

County: Brunswick

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8A

Extension Demonstration Garden? No

Approximate year the garden/landscape was established:

What to look for: This simple and pleasing foundation planting for this North Carolina coastal home near the ocean provides that tropical flair. The tall palms provide vertical interest and balance out the frame of this large home. The Indian hawthorn is most likely the hybrid R. x delacouri, which is more drought tolerant and salt tolerant than Rhaphiolepis indica. This evergreen planting also provides year-round interest. A rain garden was established in a low depression that floods during heavy rain and contains the runnoff from other parts of the garden.

Horticulture: Plants grown this close to the ocean have to have a high salt tolerance and be able to withstand windy conditions including hurricanes. Drought tolerance is also a plus as the soil is very well-drained. Rain garden plants are tolerant of occasional flooding.