Some gardens are very exposed to the wind. Located on a hillside or by the sea, in a corridor or a disturbed area, they are the favorite playground of Aeolus. To avoid breakage, the gardener will have to choose an adapted vegetation...
Characteristics of plants adapted to a windy environment
Plants that can tolerate conditions that are very exposed to the wind have adopted a specific form and various ways of withstanding its constant assaults. Their shape is often rounded, compact and very low to the ground in order to have a lesser grip on the wind.
The foliage is sometimes succulent to resist the drought that the wind implies, it can also be tough and very thin to compensate for evaporation or silvery and downy to better withstand the burning sun.
Perennials for a windy garden
It is impossible to talk about a garden in the wind without mentioning the fabulous grass family. These very flexible plants, forming graceful spikes and dense clumps that wave in the slightest breeze, are ideal for a windy garden. Gusts of wind will not break their stems or dry them out. Adropogon scoparius, Carex, Pennisetum alopecuroides or Lagurus ovatus have a compact growth habit and can withstand these conditions very well. Stipa or Miscanthus come in many taller varieties that will give a lot of movement to your garden. These plants can be used for borders, rock gardens and beds. For the same use, think of the sagebrush with very cut and aromatic foliage. There are nearly 300 species and many varieties, enough to satisfy the most difficult of gardeners! Magnificent under its spikes of bluish flowers, nepeta is perfectly resistant to wind, drought and heat, not to mention that it blooms throughout the summer without ever wilting. Think also of the perennial geraniums which form beautiful clumps with a lot of flowers and which are resistant to frost unlike pelargoniums with which they are confused.
In seaside gardens, the maritime crambe will go very well with sandy soils while covering itself with a cloud of cream-colored flowers.
As a substitute for lawns in windy, sunny areas in the South, there is no better substitute than Spanish grass (Armeria maritima), which produces small pink pompons during the summer months.
Resistant hedges
For your hedges, think of elaeagnus or privet, two plants that are very easy to cultivate and grow quickly. The former produces discreet flowers with a sweet carnation scent while the latter is covered with white spikes that attract pollinating insects. Cypresses and cedars also make great windbreaks to shelter your crops.
Windproof trees
Isolated conifers are well suited to windy gardens, notably juniper, which takes on pretty twisted shapes and tolerates sea spray very well, or Atlas cedar, which will follow the curves of the prevailing winds over time.
