You’ve just finished planting your garden, only for a strong gust to damage or even uproot your plants. Sound familiar? Finding plants for windy areas is an important task for many British gardeners, but fortunately, there are plenty of robust varieties well-suited to our blustery climate.

Whether you have a wind-swept urban garden, want to green up a gusty balcony, or are creating a coastal garden, there are always suitable solutions. From sturdy evergreen shrubs for windy areas to wind tolerant plants and small trees—we have the right plant for every situation. In this guide, you’ll discover the best wind resistant plants and learn exactly how to incorporate them into your outdoor space.

Wind resistant plants for different garden zones

Each garden has different zones with their own microclimates. Knowing about these variations can help you strategically place container plants for windy sites.

Identifying wind-prone areas

Your garden likely has more shelter than you might think. Pay attention to structures like walls and fences—these can provide extra warmth and act as windbreaks in your garden. In this article about plants for windy areas, we consider various garden situations.

From wind resistant plants for coastal gardens to container plants for windy sites on your balcony: we have practical recommendations for each scenario.

Plants for wind-exposed front gardens

A front garden that catches strong winds needs robust, wind tolerant plants. Here are some proven winners for this challenging space:

• Butterfly bush: flowers from June to September and attracts butterflies
• Lavender: provides colour and fragrance, even in strong winds
• Rosemary: perfect for windy spots and useful in cooking. Also suitable as a wind-resistant container plant

Utilising sheltered corners

Making clever use of sheltered corners can transform your entire garden. Areas shielded from the north by a hedge and receiving sunlight for most of the day create naturally warmer microclimates year-round. These protected spots are perfect for plants for windy areas that require a bit more shelter.

For these sheltered locations, ornamental grasses like pennisetum are excellent wind resistant plants. They sway gently in the breeze without breaking, adding graceful movement to your garden while being sturdy enough to withstand strong gusts.

Consider creating different ‘layers’ in your planting scheme. A combination of tall windbreaks, medium-height container plants for windy sites, and ground cover creates the best protection against wind. This approach not only makes your garden more wind-resistant but adds literal and visual depth.

Coastal gardens vs. inland gardens

Gardening by the sea presents quite different challenges compared to inland gardening. While the challenges vary, smart plant choices offer solutions for both situations.

Salt-tolerant plants for coastal areas

Coastal gardens face additional challenges. Plants must cope with both wind and salt-laden air. Fortunately, many wind tolerant plants thrive in these conditions. These salt-tolerant champions are ideal for coastal gardens:

• Eleagnus x ebbingei: A perfect example of evergreen shrubs for windy areas, with leathery grey-green foliage. It can be grown as a hardy shrub or hedge.
• Holm Oak: An evergreen oak with excellent drought tolerance.
• Shrubby Hare’s Ear (Bupleurum fruticosum): Features yellow-green flowers.
• Pennisetum: An ornamental grass with elegant leaves and bottle-brush flowers.
• Privet: A traditional hedging plant with white flowers followed by distinctive dark purple berries.

Wind-resistant plants for urban gardens

Urban areas also experience significant wind challenges, particularly due to the microclimate created around tall buildings. However, city gardens benefit from generally milder temperatures compared to coastal regions. Hardy plants for windy areas like Nepeta (Catmint) and Erysimum (Wallflower) are excellent urban choices, thriving in both windy and dry conditions.

Adaptations for different locations

Your location largely determines which adjustments are necessary. In coastal areas, working with different ‘layers’ of wind resistant plants is a smart approach. Start with a robust hedge as a windbreak, followed by medium-height container plants for windy sites, and finish with ground cover plants.

Urban gardens often allow for more experimentation. While temperatures are milder and salt isn’t an issue, it’s important to consider wind tunnels between buildings. A useful tip: choose young plants for windy areas—they adapt better to windy conditions and ultimately develop stronger root systems.

For both locations, ensure proper drainage and regular maintenance. Timely pruning promotes compact growth, making plants more resilient against wind gusts.

Windbreak for gardens: practical and beautiful

A well-planned boundary (fence or hedge) is more than just an attractive border—it’s your first line of defence against wind. With the right approach, you can create a garden boundary that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Hedges for privacy

Wind-tolerant hedges can serve perfectly as natural privacy screens. A combination of tall and medium-height wind resistant plants provides layered protection. Yew and hornbeam are excellent choices for your hedge foundation. These evergreen shrubs for windy areas not only create a sturdy wind barrier but offer year-round privacy.

If you have a hedge as a windbreak, regular maintenance is crucial. Consider researching proper pruning techniques for different hedge varieties.

Natural boundaries

For a natural boundary, you can choose from several plants for windy areas that are both beautiful and functional:

• Bamboo: quickly forms a dense, natural screen and is one of the most wind resistant plants
• Ornamental grasses: create a lush, vibrant atmosphere and are excellent container plants for windy sites
• Ivy: ideal for covering existing fences and highly wind tolerant

These plants not only withstand strong winds but also attract birds and insects, adding extra life to your garden.

Decorative windbreaks

You can also use windbreaks decoratively. Rhododendrons are evergreen shrubs for windy areas renowned for their abundant flowering. With their wind-resistant blooms, they create a stunning backdrop for lower-growing plants. Japanese Holly is another exquisite choice – this evergreen variety offers vibrant, dense foliage and withstands harsh frost.

For additional shelter, work with ‘layers’ in your borders. Position sturdy, tall plants for windy areas on the windward side, and progress forward with increasingly shorter varieties. This creates an effective wind barrier and results in a natural-looking ensemble that remains attractive throughout all seasons.

Practical applications

Don’t let a windy garden hold you back—with the right approach, you can transform any outdoor space into a green oasis. Whether you have a small urban garden or a spacious terrace, there are always practical solutions that work effectively.

Wind-Resistant climbing plants

Climbing plants are the unsung heroes of a wind-resistant garden. They’re not only decorative, but also provide natural protection. Common Ivy (Hedera hibernica) is a top performer—it stays green all year and attracts insects and birds. For additional colour, consider these robust climbers:

• Virginia Creeper: offers stunning autumn colours
• Honeysuckle: provides delightful fragrance and attracts butterflies
• Clematis: blooms abundantly in various colours

Wind resistant plants for balconies and terraces

Selecting plants for windy areas requires extra consideration when planning a balcony or terrace garden. Often, container plants for windy sites need to withstand both full sun and strong winds. Choose deep containers – the deeper the pot, the better the plant can retain water, reducing watering frequency. These wind tolerant plants are ideal for blustery balconies:

• Catmint: long-flowering and tolerates drought and sun
• Ornamental grasses: provide movement without breaking
• Lavender: wonderfully fragrant and extremely hardy

When container planting, drainage is crucial. Fill approximately a quarter of your pot with drainage material for proper water management. Ensure your containers are sturdy and sufficiently weighted – strong winds can easily topple lightweight pots.

FAQ about wind resistant plants

Ready to get plants for windy areas?

With the right selection of container plants for windy sites and clever positioning, you can transform any windswept garden into a verdant oasis. By considering the different zones in your garden and choosing robust plants for windy areas that suit your specific situation, you’ll create a garden that remains beautiful throughout the year.

The beauty of wind resistant plants is that they serve multiple purposes: providing shelter from wind, offering privacy where needed, and creating a vibrant garden that’s wildlife-friendly.

Looking for more gardening inspiration? Browse our other articles with all kinds of tips and ideas. Find out how to care for the wind resistant English Ivy, how to prune ornamental grasses, or how to control rust fungus. If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You are welcome to leave a comment below. Thank you!

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!