Resilient Plant Options for Windy Areas
Gardening in windy areas presents a unique set of challenges that can test the resolve of even the most dedicated green thumbs. That’s why it’s important to look for wind resistant plants when gardening in the wind!
Gusty winds can wreak havoc on delicate plants, uprooting fragile roots and causing unwanted stress.
With the proper selection of resilient annual plants, you can create a thriving garden that not only withstands the elements but flourishes amidst them.
In this blog post, we’ll explore robust annual plants that can withstand the blustery elements, categorizing them into grasses, upright-growing annuals, and trailing vines.
Each selection not only stands up to the wind but will also add texture, colour, and vitality to your garden.
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Wind Tolerant Annual Grasses
Many grasses are well adapted to windy growing conditions, and annual grasses lend structure, height, and movement to in-ground garden spaces, raised-bed gardens, container plantings, and balconies which often see a considerable amount of air flow.
Annual grasses are ideal for breezy areas because they have flexible stems and flow with the wind rather than battling it.
Water and fertilize all grasses regularly. Take care to keep them evenly moist which will help them withstand constant movement and the drying effects of wind.
Meet some of my favourites:
Pennisetum Grasses
Pennisetum grasses are one of my first go-to’s when I anticipate a gusty garden location. Their long, slender leaf blades are tough and they don’t mind wind.
All fountain grasses mature with colourful plumes that add an element of whimsy to the garden, planter, or hanging basket.
Pennisetum grasses grow best in part to full sun locations, and remember to keep the soil evenly moist.
Dracaena and Phormium
Phormium (New Zealand Flax) has very sturdy and slightly flexible stems that don’t cave into windy blasts. Phormium can be found in green, red, purple, and black coloured varieties.
Dracaena is a sturdy grass native to the Isle of Man in the British Isles. Its stems are robust and don’t bend in the wind.
Phormium and Dracaena can be grown in locations from full shade to full sun and they like consistently moist, slightly drier, well-draining soil.
Take care not to over-water them because they can get root rot. Fertilizer regularly every 1-2 weeks during the summer growing season.
Cypress Grass and Juncus
Cyperus Papyrus Grasses and Juncus are other sturdy grass options for windy spaces.
Cyperus Grasses sport grassy plumes, which occasionally bloom, atop robust stalks. Look for shorter varieties, like’ Prince Tut’, ‘Queen Tut’, and ‘Baby Tut’ for blustery locations. The largest version, ‘King Tut’, would fall over and break too easily in the windy spaces.
Juncus Grasses have many unique features for the home gardener. Their thin, strong, spiraling leaves add structure to plantings and they can be found in shades of blue as well as green.
Wind Tolerant Upright Flowering Annuals
Let’s talk about some tough annuals that can spar with the wind and come out looking good.
Geraniums
Geraniums are a collection of strong plants, with many varieties that can tolerate wind well. I call them ‘a collection’ because there are numerous types of geraniums.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Geraniums
Zonal Geraniums and Ivy Geraniums have leathery, broad leaves with petioles (leaf stems) and powerful attachments, called axils, that attach to the larger branches. This structural combination makes Geraniums a solid choice for breezy zones.
Grow Geraniums in partial to full sun locations, keep them evenly moist, fertilize weekly, and deadhead worn-out blossoms for show-stopping colour all season.
I do not recommend Seed Geraniums in this case because many Seed Geranium flowerheads shatter easily in the wind, so stick to the Zonal types of Geraniums for a windy space.
Gazanias
Also known as treasure flowers, Gazanias are native to South Africa and are loved for their bright, daisy-like petals and unique ability to thrive in sunny, hot, dry conditions.
They come in a variety of colours, including yellows, oranges, reds, and whites, often with striking patterns that make them stand out.
Keep them evenly moist and deadhead old flowers to encourage more blossoms.
Dianthus
Dianthus are commonly called ‘mini-carnations’ or ‘pinks’ that bring along a charming pop of colour.
These low-growing flowers are renowned for their delightful fragrance and they are available in a stunning range of colours, including pink, red, white, salmon, and purple.
Grow Dianthus in full to part sun and keep the soil evenly moist and remove old flowers to encourage more blossoming.
Lavender
Lavender is also known for its silvery aromatic leaves and flowers that is used in cooking and aromatherapy.
Being a native of the Mediterranean region, Lavender loves sunny, warm locations.
Keep soil lightly moist as it can get root rot and like all annuals, deadhead old blossoms to encourage continued flowering.
Related: How to Grow Lavender
Marigolds
Marigolds are easy-care, tough plants that boast vibrantly colourful flowers.
Marigolds thrive in hot, sunny locations that reflect their native homeland of central America.
Choose shorter varieties in the Bonanza, Disco, and Inca series for wind resistance characteristics.
Keep the soil evenly moist and deadhead to encourage continual flowering.
Related: Marigolds: A Simple and Easy Plant for Any Sunny Garden
Portulaca
Portulaca, with its succulent-like needle foliage, grows close to the ground, handles windy spaces, and also tolerates drought conditions.
Also known as ‘moss rose’ or ‘sun rose’, they are native to South America.
Portulaca can be planted in the ground, planters, and hanging baskets.
Keep evenly moist and deadhead to encourage flowering.
Salvia
Salvia is a plant that adds vibrant colour and scent to any garden space, container, or hanging basket.
Salvia thrives in diverse environments, but requires sunny locations.
Keep Salvia evenly moist, taking care to not overwater, as it can get root rot.
Deadhead old flowers to encourage blooming.
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Annual Trailing Vines that Tolerate Wind
Annual trailing vines add length, texture, and an element of whimsy as they cascade out of planters and hanging baskets.
Trailing vines can be flowering or just foliage. Trailing annuals that don’t flower are planted for their intriguing leaves that lend subtle colour detail to planted arrangements.
Scaevola, Stardiva, and Trailing Verbena
Some of my favourite flowering annual vines that handle windy conditions include Scaevola (Purple Fan Flower), Stardiva, and Trailing Verbena (Superbena by Proven Winners).
The above grow well in sunny gardens, but Scaevola can grow in sun and shade. Water to keep these plants evenly moist, fertilize weekly, and deadhead old flowers. Scaevola and Stardiva do not need deadheading.
Lysimachia, Lotus Vine, Dichondra, and Vinca
Foliage vines that can take the wind include Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny), available in dark green, lime green, and variegated varieties. Lysimachia ‘Hillier Sunburst’ with it’s bluey-toned leaves, and Lysimachia ‘aurea’, which shows off chartreuse coloured leaves are two of my faves.
Lotus vine, with its silvery, needle-like foliage and all variegated Vinca varieties, are hearty choices for breezy weather.
Lysimachia, Lotus Vine, and Vinca will grow well in any level of sunlight, including full sun or shade and anything in between. Keep these vines evenly moist, fertilize weekly, and remove old, yellowed, or dried leaves.
Choosing Wind Resilient Plants for Your Garden
Embracing the challenges of gardening in windy areas doesn’t mean compromising on beauty or vibrancy and by selecting resilient annual plants, you can create a stunning garden that stands strong.
Whether you opt for the graceful sway of robust grasses, the striking elegance of upright-growing annuals, or the cascading charm of trailing vines, each plant we’ve highlighted will bring texture, colour, and life to your outdoor space.
So grab your gardening tools and transform your windy space into a flourishing sanctuary that celebrates nature’s splendor, no matter what the weather throws your way!
More to Explore
- Gardening in the Wind: How to Select and Care for Plants in Windy Locations
- Gardening in the Wind: 10 Wind-Tolerant Perennials to Add to Your Garden
- 10+ Bell-Shaped Annual Flowers to Feature in Your Garden
- From Seed to Bloom: Understanding the Fascinating World of Annual Plants
- A Practical Guide to Growing Beautiful, Eye-Catching Petunias
- 3 Tips for Buying Plants to Save You Money
- 6 Ways to Care for your Garden in Hot, Dry Weather
- How to Keep Hanging Baskets & Flower Containers Thriving all Season
© Sharon Wallish Murphy © Gardening with Sharon
