The moment you cross the causeway onto Seven Mile Island, you can smell the ocean and feel the sand beneath your toes. This unique coastal environment requires thoughtful plant selection and design to create landscapes that are both beautiful and resilient.
Successful seashore landscaping isn't about fighting the elements—it's about embracing them with plants specifically adapted to thrive in full sun, salt air, and summer heat. Here are Blue Lawns' top recommendations for creating your perfect outdoor coastal escape.
Sunpatiens: Sun-Loving Showstoppers
Sunpatiens represent a breakthrough for coastal gardens. Unlike traditional impatiens that wilt in direct sunlight, these sun-loving varieties thrive under intense coastal sun and high humidity. They're specifically bred to excel in conditions that would stress most flowering plants.
What makes Sunpatiens exceptional for island landscapes is their ability to handle full sun exposure all day long while producing massive amounts of vibrant blooms. Available in brilliant reds, pinks, corals, purples, and whites, they provide continuous color from late spring through first frost.
These plants work beautifully in garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, and mixed plantings. Their mounding habit creates full, lush displays that look professionally designed with minimal effort. Best of all, they're exceptionally heat tolerant and bounce back quickly from occasional dry spells.
Scaevola (Fan Flower): Ocean Blue Beauty
If you want plants that literally mirror the ocean's hues, scaevola is your answer. These Australian natives produce unique fan-shaped flowers in gorgeous shades of lilac-blue, perfect for echoing the colors of bay and ocean waters surrounding Avalon and Stone Harbor.
Scaevola's exceptional tolerance to heat, wind, and salt makes it ideally suited for coastal conditions. When ocean breezes kick up and delicate plants struggle, scaevola keeps performing beautifully. The plants maintain their compact shape without constant pruning and bloom prolifically throughout the season.
Use scaevola as ground cover in garden beds where its trailing habit softens hardscape edges. It also excels in hanging baskets and containers, creating cascading displays that add dimension to porches, decks, and patios. The combination of its distinctive flowers and reliable performance makes it a favorite throughout the island.
Fountain Grass: Graceful Movement and Contrast
Fountain grass brings an entirely different aesthetic to coastal gardens—one of movement, texture, and natural elegance. These ornamental grasses are seen throughout island homes because they provide beautiful contrast to the vibrant colors of flowering plants while adding year-round interest.
The graceful, arching foliage of fountain grass sways gently in ocean breezes, creating dynamic movement in the landscape. This natural motion adds life and interest that static plants cannot provide. The grass's fine texture provides excellent contrast against bold-leaved plants and bright flowers.
Fountain grass is exceptionally drought and salt-tolerant, thriving in sandy soil conditions common throughout Seven Mile Island. Once established, these grasses require virtually no maintenance—no deadheading, no pruning, no fussing. They just keep looking good season after season.
Popular varieties include:
- 'Fireworks' – Striking burgundy and pink variegated foliage
- Traditional green varieties – Classic look that complements any color scheme
- 'Hameln' – Compact size perfect for smaller spaces
Begonias: Versatile Performers
Begonias offer tremendous versatility for coastal landscapes. While many begonia varieties prefer shade, sun-tolerant types like Dragon Wing and Gryphon begonias can handle morning and mid-day sun before benefiting from afternoon shade during peak heat.
These plants excel in both in-ground plantings and containers, making them perfect for mixed designs. Their glossy foliage and abundant blooms in reds, pinks, and whites add a polished, sophisticated look to any garden area. The foliage alone is decorative, providing interest even between bloom cycles.
For shaded areas—under porches, on north-facing sides of homes, or beneath trees—begonias are unbeatable performers. They bring color and life to spaces where many flowering plants struggle. Their low-maintenance nature makes them ideal for vacation homeowners who aren't present for daily care.
Cascading Geraniums: Classic Coastal Charm
No discussion of seashore landscaping would be complete without cascading geraniums. These classic favorites define the look of luxury coastal homes throughout Avalon and Stone Harbor. Their signature waterfall effect spilling from window boxes and containers creates that quintessential shore cottage aesthetic.
What makes cascading geraniums beloved by island homeowners is their remarkable resilience combined with spectacular beauty. They tolerate full sun, salt air, and even occasional irregular watering (though consistent moisture produces the most impressive displays). Available in vibrant reds, soft pinks, and clean whites, they complement any architectural style.
The cascading growth habit is particularly valuable for:
- Window boxes – Classic shore home feature
- Hanging baskets – Creates vertical interest on porches and decks
- Container edges – Softens container plantings
- Elevated planters – Allows flowers to cascade naturally
For Stone Harbor property owners with limited watering capabilities due to irrigation restrictions, cascading geraniums represent an ideal solution—beautiful, resilient, and surprisingly forgiving.
Creating Color Combinations
The key to stunning seashore landscapes is combining these plants thoughtfully:
Bold and Bright
Combine vibrant Sunpatiens (red or coral) with traditional green fountain grass and cascading geraniums for a classic, high-impact look that commands attention.
Coastal Cool
Pair blue scaevola with white Sunpatiens and silver-toned fountain grass for a sophisticated palette that echoes ocean and sky.
Romantic Garden
Blend pink and white begonias with soft pink cascading geraniums and burgundy fountain grass for a gentler, more romantic aesthetic.
Professional Seashore Landscaping in Avalon & Stone Harbor
Blue Lawns specializes in creating vibrant, sustainable seashore landscapes that thrive in coastal conditions. We've designed and maintained countless properties throughout Seven Mile Island, and we understand exactly which plants will flourish in your specific location.
Our landscaping services include:
- Custom design featuring coastal-adapted plants
- Strategic placement for sun, wind, and salt exposure
- Container garden design and installation
- Window box and hanging basket creation
- Seasonal planting and color rotation
- Maintenance programs for vacation homeowners
We focus on aesthetic attractiveness while incorporating sustainable elements that withstand the seashore climate. Let Blue Lawns create your perfect outdoor escape.
Maintenance for Long-Lasting Beauty
While these plants are selected for their resilience, a few simple maintenance practices ensure peak performance:
- Regular watering – Establish a consistent schedule, especially during peak summer heat
- Deadheading – Remove spent blooms from geraniums to encourage continued flowering
- Fertilization – Monthly feeding with balanced fertilizer keeps plants vigorous
- Monitoring – Watch for signs of stress and adjust care as needed
Design Your Seashore Escape
The trick to vibrant, sustainable seashore landscaping is selecting plants that thrive in specific island conditions—wind, salt air, heat, and intense sun—while also creating variety through color and contrast. This approach delivers character and design to luxury homes without constant maintenance battles.
Take a look around Avalon and Stone Harbor and you'll see these plants creating lush, colorful backdrops throughout the island. With proper selection and placement, your property can achieve the same professional, resort-like aesthetic that defines Seven Mile Island's premier homes.