Coastal Garden Designers
Sussex & Kent’s specialist coastal garden design studio
At Ivy & Whyte, we are specialist garden designers who understand the beauty and challenges of living by the coast in the UK.
From our offices in Hythe, Kent, and Brighton, Sussex, we have worked on designing gardens for over 10 years that go beyond simply surviving the weather conditions associated with being close to the sea; they thrive. Our designs blend creativity with extensive plant knowledge to create an environment that feels as though it is part of its location, whilst providing moments when your garden becomes your own.
Whatever style of coastal garden you are looking for, be it a modern coastal terrace, a protected family garden near the coast, or a large coastal retreat, our award-winning team will apply the same level of dedication and enthusiasm to each of our projects. As well as being registered with the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) and the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), our work has also been featured at RHS national flower shows, including Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
Why Coastal Gardens Need Specialist Designers
A garden by the sea faces conditions that most inland gardens never encounter.
Coastal gardens face extreme conditions that no other type of garden experiences — salt-laden winds can decimate a garden overnight, dry, sandy soils with poor moisture retention, wind on exposed sides, and the colour-changing intensity of coastal light throughout the year.
These aren’t obstacles to overcome for the seasoned coastal gardener — these are opportunities. Coastal gardens have a milder climate that allows for an expansive variety of Mediterranean and subtropical plants than many believe possible. The quality of light at the coast is unparalleled. And, the inherent textures of the shoreline (driftwood, pebbles, weathered stone) create a distinct design vocabulary.
The difference between a coastal garden that fights and one that thrives lies in knowledge. Knowing what plants will hold fast to the ground in windy conditions, what materials will withstand the corrosive effects of salt air as it ages, and how to layer the necessary protection to keep harsh winds at bay while maintaining unobstructed views — those are the skills and the experience we bring to every coastal garden project.
Our Coastal Garden Design Services
Full Garden Design
From the concept of the design to the final planning drawings, 3-D computer-generated images, and planting schemes, our team will assist you in designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing garden, utilising cutting-edge technology combined with time-tested horticultural knowledge to create a realistic presentation of what your garden will look like before breaking ground.
Coastal Planting Design
The plantings are what bring a coastal garden to life. When selecting plants for coastal gardens, we choose those that are not only salt- and wind-resistant but also visually appealing and provide year-round interest. In addition, we take into account local biodiversity and plant according to the micro-climate, soil type, and orientation of the garden. This approach utilises the years of experience we have gained in designing coastal gardens in both Sussex and Kent.
Project Management & Build
During the construction phase of your garden, we will be in close contact with experienced and reputable landscaping contractors and builders. We will regularly visit the site to ensure compliance with the original design intent and provide direction when needed. From the solicitation of bids and procurement of materials through to the completion of the planting, we will be actively engaged to ensure all details of the garden design are implemented accurately.
90-Minute Garden Advisory
Don’t wish to go through the entire design and planning process, yet would still appreciate some advice on making the best use of your coastal outdoor space? Our 90-minute one-to-one advice session will provide you with practical suggestions you can implement immediately to enhance your coastal garden or yard.
How We Design Coastal Gardens
Each project starts with an open-ended conversation. We would like to hear how you use your outside space, what is important to you, and what you want to achieve in your garden. From this point, we follow a structured approach to keep you engaged and excited throughout the design process.
A free site visit will allow us to meet you and your garden and to listen to your thoughts, ideas and lifestyle. We will talk about the potential of your garden and create a relaxed atmosphere to help you develop your vision and understanding of what your garden could look like. The free site visit applies to all areas within a 10-mile radius of our studios.
Following your initial consultation, we will present you with visual reference boards (mood boards) and examples of style to help guide the direction of your garden design. This could include colour schemes, plant types to be used, styles of hard landscaping materials, etc. We want to ensure we are on the same page before we draw anything.
Using the information from your consultation and the visual references we provided during stage two, we will now create your concept designs. These designs will give you a visual representation of your garden using sketches, 3D images and detailed plans. This is the time to review every detail of your garden design and make changes until you feel completely happy.
Once you are satisfied with the concept designs, we will create technical drawings and site plans for your contractor or builder to use to build your garden. During this stage, we will also provide material samples and continue working with you to perfect every aspect of your design.
During the construction phase of your garden, we will work closely with you and your contractor or builder to ensure your garden design is built to the highest possible standards. We will regularly visit the site to monitor progress and communicate with you and all parties involved to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the finished result meets your expectations.
At the end of the construction phase, we will source, deliver, and plant every plant, tree, and shrub required to complete your garden. We will also offer a range of after-care and maintenance options to help you maintain and grow your garden over the first few years and beyond.
The Key Challenges of Coastal Garden Design
Understanding coastal conditions is central to what we do. Here are the challenges we solve for our clients every day.
The coastal environment is very different from other environments and impacts many aspects of our work. Each day we solve a variety of problems related to wind and salt exposure; free-draining and sandy soils, choosing materials that last; and working with coastal light.
Wind & Salt Exposure
Strong winds and salt spray from prevailing winds can harm foliage and dehydrate plants. To protect against this, we design layered windbreak systems utilising durable hedging species (Griselinia, Elaeagnus) and native coastal shrubbery to create sheltered microclimates that still allow for an open feel and expansive views.
Free Draining and Sandy Soil
The soil in coastal areas is typically thin, alkaline and quickly drains. To address these limitations, we improve soil density by adding organic material and choose plants that have evolved to thrive in similar conditions, including those found in Mediterranean regions that are naturally tolerant of fast-draining soils and lean soils.
Choosing Durable Materials
Weathering occurs faster in coastal environments due to the increased speed of air movement and moisture. To ensure that the materials we choose will perform well over time, we utilise materials that are durable in a coastal environment (Corten Steel, which forms a protective patina over time); hardwoods like teak and cedar; natural stone; and marine grade stainless steel. In addition to being durable, many of these materials also develop aesthetic characteristics when used in a coastal environment.
Working with Coastal Lighting
Light at the coast is stronger and more reflective than light in most other locations. We take full advantage of this difference and select plantings and materials that respond to the unique lighting conditions of the coastal area (e.g., silver-leaved plants reflect sunlight, while grasses appear to glow when illuminated from the rear in the late afternoon).
A wealth of experience on which coastal plants
Plants That Thrive in Coastal Gardens
Coastal gardening’s single most critical element, the selection of suitable plants for your coastal garden design, will ultimately determine its success; therefore, it is essential to select the correct plants for your specific area. Over many years of designing and maintaining our own coastal gardens in Sussex and Kent, we have developed a wealth of experience on which coastal plants can perform well in strong winds, withstand salt, and thrive in poorly-draining soils.
- Grasses and movement plants: Stipa tenuissima, Miscanthus, Pennisetum, and Carex bring texture and gentle movement that echoes the rhythm of the sea.
- Silver-leaved Mediterranean species: Lavender, Santolina, Artemisia, and Eryngium thrive in full sun and poor soils, adding that distinctive coastal shimmer.
- Salt-tolerant natives: Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima), Sea Kale (Crambe maritima), and
- Sea Holly bring authentic coastal character and support pollinator biodiversity.
- Structural evergreens: Phormium, Pittosporum, and Griselinia provide year-round form and shelter, anchoring the garden through winter months.
- Flowering perennials for seasonal colour: Agapanthus, Echinacea, Sedum, and Salvia deliver waves of colour from late spring through autumn, with many performing exceptionally well in coastal conditions.
We source our plants from specialist nurseries, including trusted partners like Palmstead, to ensure the quality and provenance of every specimen.
Where We’re Based
From our two studios, we cover the full stretch of Britain’s southern coastline across Kent and Sussex, with each team bringing local knowledge of their region’s particular conditions.
Although we are rooted in these two regions, we regularly take on projects across the wider South East. Wherever the coast is, we are happy to talk.
Kent Coast
Our Hythe studio, led by Mark, has been a fixture on the Kent coast for over a decade.
We design gardens in Folkestone, Deal, Canterbury, Ashford, and right along the Kent shoreline.
We understand the exposed conditions of the Channel coast and the sheltered microclimates found in the valleys and harbour towns.
Coastal Garden DESIGN
We Wrote the Book On It
We are so passionate about the design of coastal gardens that we decided to write about it. Coastal Garden Design (Mark Whyte) is a complete guide to building beautiful, sustainable coastal gardens. The book will help you capture the essence of coastal living and draw upon the knowledge we have gained from years of designing in such unique coastal locations.
The book is currently available on Amazon and would be a great reference for anyone working on a coastal garden design project, whether you are using a professional or doing it yourself.
Why Choose Ivy & Whyte as Your Coastal Garden Designers
Coastal Expertise: Our primary experience lies in the creation of coastal gardens, and our expertise in this area will be reflected in your garden.
National Award-Winning Designers: Our design team has received recognition for their designs at national RHS shows (including two years at Hampton Court Palace),, and we bring the same enthusiasm to each of our private client projects.
SGD/ AP Registered Members: As Registered Members of the SGD and AP, we ensure our designs and build standards are maintained at the highest levels of professionalism.
Local Knowledge: Ivy & Whyte have studios in both Kent and Sussex, allowing us to provide genuine local knowledge across the whole of the Southern Coastline.
Personal Approach: Ivy & Whyte was formed in 2014 as a partnership by Mark and Annabelle. It’s the relationships we form with all of the clients that mean most to us, far more than anything else.
Full Service: We look after everything from the initial consultation through to planting day and beyond into ongoing maintenance. This way, you’ll always know where you’re going and what to expect.
What Our Clients Say
We have worked with homeowners all along the South Coast, from clifftop properties in Kent to terraced townhouses in Brighton. Our clients consistently tell us that working with Ivy & Whyte felt collaborative, exciting, and stress-free, and that their finished garden exceeded their expectations.
Amazing company. Went to a coastal garden workshop and learnt so much. The staff were really attentive to my unique needs and creative in helping to bring my ideas to the page. If you're looking for creative, professional, experienced garden designers this is the team.
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We bought our first home in Brighton last year and needed some help with our empty garden. We appointed Ivy & Whyte Sussex to totally redesign the space to bring in lots of colour, insects and interest. We were really happy with the result and all of the ideas Annabelle, Isabelle and Poppy gave throughout the whole process. They were very communicative over the phone, in person and on emails. They made the process enjoyable and easy for us.
Read full reviewAnnabelle has designed a wonderful contemporary seating area with beds and pergola to sit near the bottom of our secluded garden. It is in an area which had slopes and the solution to the problems these posed has proved to be ideal.
Read full reviewI can't recommend Ivy & Whyte enough for their exceptional garden design and planting service. From the initial design concept to the final touches, Annabelle and her team were incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and attentive.
Read full reviewWe had Ivy & Whyte do a planting design for us at our small-ish coastal garden in Kemptown last Summer. Annabelle and her team sorted all of the plants for us and planted up our garden in a day. We wanted beds which had a touch of the wild about them.
Read full reviewI really valued my experience of the Ivy & Whyte Garden Design Workshop and my experience pre and post event! The team have incredible knowledge for all sorts of budgets and I came away with the most amazing ideas for my garden.
Read full reviewA really great coastal garden design workshop with Annabelle, Poppy and Isabelle! They were all so knowledgeable and approachable. I've got some great ideas to make my garden more plant-friendly, what kinds of textures to use and how to plan.
Read full reviewI had a fantastic time at Ivy and Whyte's garden design workshop! Annabelle, Isabelle, and Poppy shared their passion for coastal garden design and gave loads of practical, creative advice on everything from layout and materials to planting.
Read full reviewThe garden design workshop was a great evening. Very informative and inspiring, the team were lovely and helpful as were all the other attendees. It has helped me visualise my garden in a different way as I was struggling to see how I could improve it.
Read full reviewThank you to Annabelle and the Ivy & Whyte Sussex team who designed us a family friendly garden in central Brighton. We had no idea what we could do with the space but their ideas blew us away and now we have a garden full of lovely plants, areas to entertain and spaces for the kids to play.
Read full reviewI had a great 90 minute consultation with Annabelle and colleague, who came up with lots of ideas for a redesign of the garden, including installing a wildlife pond, some trees and pollinator-friendly plants. I came away with two alternative designs and lots of planting ideas I can't wait to get going on! Highly recommended.
Read full reviewAfter we saw the landscape design that Annabelle Hood had completed for our daughter (who lives in West Sussex), we were excited to have Annabelle tackle our home!
Read full reviewAn interesting and fun evening with lots of takeaway ideas for my garden. Amazing value for the cost which is about the equivalent of 1 Starbucks per day for a week!
Read full reviewI found the Garden workshop very useful and it gave me lots of great ideas! Annabelle, Poppy and Isabelle were great hosts, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic!
Read full reviewAnnabelle and her team did such a fantastic job re-designing our small garden, we are so happy with the end result. She brought real creativity and attention to detail to the project and managed to fit everything into our garden that we had wanted. We hadn't thought that would be possible. Thank you!
Read full reviewWe loved working with Ivy & Whyte. They were a friendly and fun team, very professional and very responsive to all of our questions and queries. We had an uninspiring front garden that we rarely used, and now its a beautiful space that we use all the time, and it feels so much bigger! We highly recommend.
Read full reviewAnnabelle & Isabelle helped us with our long but awkward garden when we wanted fresh eyes & inspiration to make it more appealing & an enjoyable space. We are happy with the communication, ideas & result. Would highly recommend.
Read full reviewExcellent from start to finish. Mark really listened to what was important to us & produced designs that reflected & added to our vision.
Read full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
About Coastal Garden Design
The main difference is that a coastal garden faces salt-laden winds, sand or chalk soils and bright sun and high light levels, which can be very difficult for many inland garden designs to cope with. A specialist coastal garden designer is aware of which plant species, materials, and layouts can thrive in a coastal environment and knows how to incorporate them into their designs to make the most of the conditions in which the garden is situated.
Plants that have been proven to be wind-resistant and salt-tolerant will thrive in a coastal garden. Plants which fall into these categories include grasses (Stipa, Miscanthus), plants native to the Mediterranean region (lavender, Santolina), native plants such as Sea Thrift and Sea Kale and structural evergreen plants (Griselinia, Phormium). As each garden has its own unique characteristics, the type of plant that would be suitable for a particular garden will depend on the aspect, soil, and exposure of that garden.
Yes. We offer a completely free, no-obligation consultation, where we will come to your garden to discuss your ideas and assess its condition. This service is provided complimentary if you live within a 10-mile radius of our studios in either Hythe, Kent, or Brighton, Sussex. If you live outside this area, a small travel charge may apply.
All gardens are unique; therefore, the price for a coastal garden design will depend on the size of your garden, the level of detail and complexity required in the design, and the full extent of the services you require us to undertake. We always clearly explain our fees before undertaking any work for you; you will never receive a surprise bill.
From the initial design consultation to the completion of the design this can take anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks depending on the scale of the space. Build times can range from a few weeks for small courtyards to around 2-3 months for larger gardens. The average build time for our projects is 4 weeks.
Costs depend on garden size and scope of work. Design fees are typically around 10-20% of your garden build cost. A full design starts from £3k but individual drawings and services can be quoted individually.
Yes. The look of coastal gardening is all about creating a casual, natural planting style using natural materials and designing the garden to feel open and unstructured. It is perfectly possible to create a coastal-style garden anywhere, whether the property is near the coast or inland. I have written a comprehensive book called “Coastal Garden Design,” which shows people with inland properties how to create coastal character in their own garden.
From the time you first contact me until I hand over the final design for your garden, a typical design project will take between three and six months to complete. The build phase of the project will vary greatly depending on the scale of the project, however I will oversee every aspect of the project to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
We operate from our studios in Hythe, Kent and Brighton, Sussex. From these locations, I can offer my services in Kent and Sussex to clients living in the coastal towns and villages of Folkestone, Deal, Canterbury, Ashford, Lewes, and the surrounding countryside. I am also able to take on projects in the wider South East region of England on an ad-hoc basis.
Yes we design with your budget in mind and we work closely with the landscapers to ensure we keep your build within desired costs. By adjusting planting density, material choices, and phasing the project, we can design to suit a range of budgets.
A landscape architect usually works on large-scale projects like public spaces, housing developments, or parks, often with planning and engineering considerations. A garden designer focuses on private gardens and outdoor living spaces, creating detailed planting and layout plans for homeowners.
Ready to Create Your Dream Coastal Garden?
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Even if we’re not the right fit, you’ll leave with valuable insights about your coastal garden’s potential