Best Shrubs for the Seacoast
Best Shrubs for New Hampshire’s Seacoast (Zone 6) – A Gardener’s & Landscaper’s Guide
Looking for the best shrubs for landscaping in New Hampshire’s Seacoast? Choosing the right cold-hardy, salt-tolerant, and low-maintenance shrubs is essential for thriving landscapes. With harsh winters, coastal winds, and variable soil conditions, selecting the right plants ensures year-round beauty, privacy, and resilience. Whether you’re a homeowner, gardener, or landscaper, this guide covers the top evergreen and flowering shrubs for every condition—full sun, shade, wet soil, roadside planting, and deer resistance.
Best Shrubs for Full Sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day)
These durable shrubs thrive in open, sunny areas, making them ideal for landscapers designing high-impact, drought-tolerant landscapes.
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – Fragrant spring flowers, great for hedging
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) – Long-blooming, attracts pollinators
Knock Out Rose (Rosa ‘Knock Out’) – Continuous blooms, disease-resistant
Spirea (Spiraea spp.) – Easy-care, colorful flowers
Summersweet Clethra (Clethra alnifolia) – Fragrant blooms, native and salt-tolerant
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – Silver foliage, heat and drought-resistant
Best Shrubs for Shade (Grows well with limited sunlight)
Ideal for wooded landscapes or shaded garden designs, these shrubs add structure and color in low-light areas.
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) – Large white blooms, stunning fall foliage
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) – Vibrant spring flowers, shade-loving
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) – Evergreen with pink or white blooms
Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica) – Early spring flowers, deer-resistant
Sweetbox (Sarcococca spp.) – Fragrant winter blooms, low-growing
Best Shrubs for Wet Soil (Ideal for poor drainage or high-moisture areas)
For landscapers managing wetland areas, rain gardens, or low-lying yards, these shrubs thrive in wet conditions.
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) – Bright red berries, perfect for wet ground
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) – Pollinator magnet, thrives in standing water
Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – Striking red stems, great for erosion control
Sweetspire (Itea virginica) – Fragrant white flowers, attracts pollinators
Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra) – Evergreen, compact, native alternative to boxwood
Best Shrubs for Roadside & Coastal Areas (Salt-Tolerant & Wind-Resistant)
Perfect for coastal gardens, roadside plantings, and commercial landscapes, these shrubs tolerate salt spray, road salt, and harsh conditions.
Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa) – Hardy, fragrant, thrives in sandy soil
Juniper (Juniperus spp.) – Evergreen, erosion control, highly drought-tolerant
Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) – Native, aromatic foliage, thrives in tough conditions
Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa) – Hardy, continuous blooms, compact growth
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) – Ideal for privacy hedges, salt-resistant
Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs (Minimizes landscape damage in high-deer areas)
For homeowners and landscapers managing deer-prone properties, these shrubs deter browsing and stay intact.
Boxwood (Buxus spp.) – Evergreen, perfect for hedging and structure
Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica) – Glossy foliage, early-season blooms
Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) – Aromatic leaves naturally repel deer
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) – Deer-resistant, attracts butterflies
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) – Toxic to deer, excellent evergreen choice
For a successful landscape, consider these key factors when selecting shrubs:
✔ Sun exposure – Full sun, partial sun, or full shade
✔ Soil conditions – Well-drained, clay, sandy, or wet soil adaptability
✔ Purpose – Privacy screening, erosion control, pollinator attraction, or ornamental use
✔ Salt and deer resistance – Essential for coastal and roadside plantings
Seacoast Gardener: Your Local Shrub & Landscape Experts: If you are looking for professional guidance on the best shrubs for your Seacoast New Hampshire landscape? Whether you're a homeowner, gardener, or landscaper, Seacoast Gardener provides expert plant selection, landscape design, and maintenance tips for thriving, low-maintenance yards. Contact us today for personalized advice and services to keep your outdoor space lush, healthy, and beautiful year-round!