Plants in this scheme show some natural resistance to windy environments. These plant adaptations include foliage that may be slightly glossy or waxy (such as the Ceanothus and upper leaf surface of the Cotoneaster), or hairy (such as the Salvia, Nepeta and underside of the Cotoneaster leaves). Foliage with a reduced surface area, such as narrow Miscanthus leaves, also helps to reduce the moisture loss that is often associated with windy locations.  

This scheme also provides some seasonal interest for pollinators from the Cotoneaster, Nepeta and Geranium in summer. 

The Nepeta and Geranium spread to cover any bare soil, reducing soil surface erosion and helping to reduce unwanted seedlings from establishing. Groundcover plants can also reduce the soil moisture loss that may result from the wind stripping moisture from exposed soil surfaces. 

Additional organic mulching, preferably with homemade compost, can further improve soil moisture retention and weed suppression. Mulches should be spread when the soil is already moist, to help trap some of that moisture before it dries out in summer.

1 - Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’

2 - Miscanthus sinensis ‘Sarabande’ 

3 - Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’ 

4 - Cistus creticus 

5 - Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’

6 - Nepeta × faassenii ‘Purrsian Blue’ 

7 - Geranium dalmaticum

8 - Salvia × sylvestris ‘Negrito’

2 - Miscanthus sinensis ‘Sarabande’ – a reliably flowering deciduous grass with narrow, arching foliage and feathery silver flowerheads in late summer. 

3 - Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’ – a dense evergreen shrub with an arching habit and narrow dark green leaves. Clusters of white flowers in summer are followed by heavy trusses of large, bright red berries.

4 - Cistus creticus – a compact, bushy, evergreen shrub, often with shaggily hairy stems. Flowers are variable in shade from deep purple-pink to rose pink with a yellow centre. Leaves are slightly scented. 

5 - Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ – a bushy evergreen perennial with narrow, dark grey-green leaves and long-lasting, upright spikes of rich mauve flowers through spring and summer.

6 - Nepeta × faassenii ‘Purrsian Blue’ – a compact perennial that makes good spreading groundcover. Greyish-green, toothed, aromatic leaves clothe the stems and densely-packed blue flowers with dark purple calyces are held on upright spikes in summer and autumn.

7 - Geranium dalmaticum – an evergreen perennial forming a low mat with glossy dark green, fragrant, deeply-lobed leaves, and flat, clear light pink flowers in summer.

8 - Salvia × sylvestris ‘Negrito’ – a clump-forming perennial with dark green leaves and densely packed upright spikes of small, deep violet-purple, two-lipped flowers from late spring through summer.