Why Are Plants Halophytic

Vegetable gardens can thrive by the ocean, as this one at the Cape Forchu ...

Subjected to a steady misting, the carrots, beans, lettuce and beets are thriving.

Other plants however, don’t do so well growing in close proximity to the ocean. Occasionally drenched with saltwater, seaspray and subjected to drying winds, their leaves turn brown, curl up and die. One of the easiest ways to obtain the answer to “What do I plant by the sea?” is to visit public plantings that have been installed by professional landscapers. Drive by the ocean and stop to talk with the owners of properties where flowers are flourishing. Those who garden at the brink of the sea are almost always delighted to talk about  their gardens and what they’ve found to be successful. The environment may be a challenge, but don't forget there's a tremendous benefit of living next to the ocean: easy accessibility to one of the best fertilizers available - seaweed. The low amount of salt contained will not hurt your plants.

Successful waterfront designs I’ve noticed in the past include potentilla, rugosa roses, hosta, globe maples, Norway maples, junipers, heaths, heathers and mugho pine. Some trees and shrubs that do well beside the sea include: Downy serviceberry, lilacs, gray birch, Siberian pea, and hydrangea. Flowers include: phlox (both tall and creeping), lupine, sedum, chrysanthemum, rudbeckia, lavender, daffodils, tuberous begonia, iceplant, sea thrift, artemesia, lilies (both daylilies and asiatic). The majority of herbs do well beside the ocean as do many of the ornamental grasses.

By planting hedges and windbreaks of hardier stock, like rugosa roses, it’s possible to grow plants on the protected side that are less tolerant of salt. Fences also help to buffer severe growing conditions.

Salt tolerance in plants is a fascinating subject and much research is being conducted worldwide on the topic. Halophytes are plants that survive in salty environments.  Genetic engineering using genes from halophytes has resulted in carrots and tomatoes that can grow in water that is 50 times saltier than normal. Close to 97 per cent of the world’s water is ocean. Imagine being able to use seawater to irrigate crops. The concept certainly provides food for thought.

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