If you are lucky enough to live in the Hamptons, you may be wondering what types of trees and shrubs will thrive in the salty, sandy environment.
The Hamptons are in USDA hardiness Grow Zone 7, it is important to choose plants that can withstand the unique conditions. The key is to use trees and shrubs that are salt tolerant and can handle the soil combinations of silt, loam and sand found in Suffolk County.
Fortunately, there are many beautiful and hardy options to choose from that will add color and texture to your coastal landscape. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Ornamental Trees and Shrubs
When selecting ornamental trees and shrubs for your Hamptons landscape it’s important to choose varieties that offer year-round interest. This means looking for plants that have attractive foliage, interesting bark, or colorful blooms throughout the seasons. You can check out these exquisite landscape designs from Michaelangelo.
Some great options include:
Japanese Maple trees – From the best-selling Bloodgood Japanese Maple to newer, weeping varieties, Japanese Maples are highly prized for their beautiful colors and graceful forms.
Camellia Shrubs bloom late winter, offering colorful blooms when almost everything else is still hibernating. Their glossy evergreen foliage are a great contrast to the blooms that also offers year-round interest.
Gardenia Shrubs – August Beauty and the Frost Proof Gardenia work well in coastal areas and are butterfly magnets.
Consider Native Plants
Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them more likely to thrive in your garden. They also provide important habitat for local wildlife and help to maintain the ecological balance of the area. Three great native plant options include:
Mrs Schiller’s Delight Viburnum
Ornamental Container Trees
Containers work well in pairs flanking either side of an entryway, walkway or next to a patio. They offer structure and year-round interest.
Hydrangea trees offer a unique and showy way to display these native plants. They come in a variety of beautiful bloom colors, they are low maintenance and the fall color from the leaves are spectacular.
Drift Rose trees are the popular miniature roses that are pruned into a tree form. They come in blooms of white, red and pink. They offer months of blooms and are easy to maintain.
Create a Private Outdoor Oasis
The Sky Pencil Holly makes an exclamation point, literally! Consider planting a grouping of these evergreen shrubs around a small outdoor dining table to relax in privacy for al fresco meals.
For a more private outdoor living experience, consider the fast-0growing Thuja Green Giant. Or, for a more Tuscan vibe, the columnar form of the Italian Cypress can also provide the privacy to relax and enjoy your outdoor living space.
Don’t Forget the Fruit!
Planting almost any type of fruit tree or shrub has become the latest trend. Blueberry shrubs are by far the most popular.
Blueberry shrubs have become popular using them as hedges. They are easy to grow, low maintenance and resistant to heat & humidity. For the best fruit production, you need to plant 2 similar varieties for cross-pollination. It’s best to buy them in at least groups of 3, such as this cross-pollination 3-pack.
For something that will make your friends say wow, consider a dwarf Fuyu Persimmon tree. They are easy to grow, keep under 20 feet tall and offer amazing fall color. The fruit is best described as a cross between an apple and a pumpkin. They are sweet, delicious, and very unique.