Seaside & Seashore Gardening

Flower & Garden Magazine, July, 2000 by Gretchen F. Coyle

* RUGOSA ROSES

Rugosa roses (Rosa rugosa) need no introduction. Along the Jersey shore many different varieties thrive, blooming profusely in the summer months, then producing large yellow-orange hips in the fall which can be made into jelly. We see them growing voluntarily in sand dunes and vacant lots, anywhere from two feet to five. Rugosa roses need full sun but will grow in sand or poor seashore soil. No matter the colors, white, pink or red, all produce a show of clustered, fragrant flowers against dark green foliage throughout the summer. We encourage our rugosa roses to spread prolifically, with new shoots emerging in our dunes every summer, as they tend to cover bare spots of sand with a plethora of color. Our roses have never been fertilized nor had any bugs or fungus, thus proving the theory that salt spray is a natural protectant.

* BEACH PEA

Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus), which grows rampantly in the sand, delights us with a show of brilliant dark purple flowers in the early summer. Our beach peas grow directly down to the waterline with the rambling roots helping to prevent erosion. While technically called vines, beach peas are small plants (unlike its cousin the vine sweet pea) that grow up to two feet in length. They are &ought-resistant and actually seem to flourish with wind and salt spray.

* YUCCA

Another indestructible plant that grows directly in the sand is the yucca (Yucca alorifioria). This strange-looking perennial has sharp, stiff leaves that can cause pain if encountered by an unsuspecting leg or arm. This type of yucca, which is more prevalent on the southern coast of the United States than our mid-Atlantic region, produces beautiful white flowers in June. In our area the dagger-like stalks grow to about six feet or taller, and the roots go deep into the sand, which help with erosion.

* SWEET PEA

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) also grows directly in the sand, but the vines grow up to six feet in length. Flower color ranges from pale pink and lavender to white and even occasionally a pale red, bloom off and on all summer, and both flowers and foliage color are lighter than beach pea. Sweet pea pops up not only in the sand but also in perennial beds. I am forever pulling it out so it doesn't smother other plants, but sweet pea, flowing over the ocean dunes, does seem to help hold them in place.

* ROSE MALLOWS

Old-timers tell us that many dunes were once ablaze with rose mallows (Hibiscus moscheutos). These New Jersey natives are a member of the mallow family and grow from four to six feet tall. The flower colors vary from bright red to pink and even white and usually bloom in mid-August, but have been known to continue into October. Rose mallow roots go deep into the sand, which make this native perennial perfect for preventing soil erosion, and once the plants are established, it's almost impossible to dig them up. Our plants have been through hurricanes and construction work, only to come back hardier the next summer. I also try to pass on seeds to gardening friends each fall in order to continue the existence of this old-time favorite.