Creating gardens in harmony with their environment is a key aspect of contemporary garden design and nowhere is this more apparent than with gardens created on our coastlines and by the sea, whether that be atop a rocky Mediterranean cliffside, tucked in a sheltered bay on Britain s south coast, or on the edge of a sandy beach in Australia s Mornington Peninsula.

Rooted in their location and offering breathtaking ocean views, coastal gardens have a unique design philosophy and style, one that embodies an atmosphere of tranquility, beauty, and an intense connection with nature. The Coastal Garden showcases 48 gardens from around the world that tell the story of the challenging terrains in which they are located and the stunning results of their designs by the sea. Organized into four thematic chapters, each begins with introductory text sharing the overarching principles that unites the selection of gardens, such as framing coastal views and utilizing native or other hardy plantings for resiliency. With striking, large-scale images, each entry is accompanied by an informative text, written by garden writer Sorrel Everton.

The natural obstacles and incredible benefits of coastal gardens are explored in an introduction by plantsman and designer Nigel Dunnett. From Bernard Trainor s designs for a surfing family, steps from the beach in sunny California, to Ulf Nordfjell s thoughtful, rambling garden on the southern coast of Sweden, readers will be taken on a journey around the world s most iconic coastlines.