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from wind makes outdoor living more comfortable. The response of many
plants to wind, especially dry wind, is stomatal closure which puts
transpiration on hold, thus limiting growth and effective functioning.
Wind is also very drying to soil, potted plants and hanging baskets in
particular and can lead to erosion in exposed areas. Solutions include
the creations of wind breaks and the choice of wind tolerant plants. For
wind breaks, plants which have dense foliage are less successful than
those with lighter foliage. A solid barrier creates excessive
turbulence, whereas tough and tolerant trees and shrubs which break the
velocity of the wind by filtering it are the best choice.
Trees and Shrubs for Windbreaks
Banksia serrata (Saw Banksia) - evergreen Australian tree to 15m; stiff serrated leaves; lemon-yellow candle flowers for much of the year; decorative seed pods; attracts honeyeaters, parrots and cockatoos; full sun; frost & salt tolerant; suits coastal locations. Westringia fruticosa (Coast Rosemary) - evergreen Australian shrub to 2m; grey-green foliage; small white flowers for most of the year; fast growing; full sun, very tough; tolerates drought, frost and salt & resists Phytophthora ; suits coastal locations. Metrosideros excelsa (Ironwood; NZ Christmas Bush) - evergreen New Zealand shrub to small tree to 5m; grey foliage; attractive red flowers in early summer; slow growing; full sun; tough; responds well to clipping; very salt tolerant. Arbutus unedo (Irish Strawberry Tree) - evergreen shrub to 5m from S. Europe & Ireland; dark green, glossy, leathery foliage; small bell-shaped flowers in autumn; decorative green, red and yellow fruits; attractive bark; sun or shade; drought, frost and salt tolerant; can be clipped. Allocasuarina torulosa (Forest Oak) - evergreen Australian tree to 15m; fine drooping foliage that turns purple bronze in winter; sighs in the wind; deeply textured orange-brown bark; full sun; drought and frost resistant. Melaleuca nesophila (Showy Honey Myrtle) - evergreen Australian shrub to 4m; stiff leaves; lavender globular flowers for much of the year; suits coastal locations. Wind-tolerant Garden Plants
Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle) - evergreen shrub to 2m; tiny leaves; compact habit; small cream flowers and violet berries (rarely); can be clipped into hedges and topiary; sun or semi-shade; frost tolerant. Senecio cineraria - South African evergreen perennial to 80cm; soft, silver, deeply cut foliage; yellow flowers in summer; full sun; excellent accent plant.
Hebe diosmifolia - dwarf New Zealand shrub to 70cm; tiny leaves; masses of white flowers in spring and summer; full sun; frost & salt tolerant; needs maintenance. Convolvulus sabatius - trailing North African plant to 15cm; soft mint-green foliage; small lavender "morning-glory" flowers for much of the year. Coreopsis grandiflora - North American evergreen perennial to 50cm; dense leaves forming an effective ground cover; yellow to orange flowers, singles & doubles in summer; full sun; drought and frost tolerant.
Festuca glauca (Blue Fescue)
- evergreen tufting plant from N. Africa & Eurasia to 30cm; unusual
blue-grey grassy foliage; neat & compact; full sun; tough &
tolerant of most situations. Illustrations
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Copyright 1996 - 2009 Global Garden
http://www.global-garden.com.au
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Callistemon
salignus (Willow Bottlebrush) -
evergreen Australian plant to 8m; weeping foliage with pink new growth;
cream (or sometimes pink or red) flowers in spring/early summer;
fast-growing.
Euryops
pectinatus (Yellow
Marguerite) - S. African evergreen perennial plant to 1m; silvery
cut foliage; bright yellow daisy flowers for much of the year; full sun;
tolerant to drought, frost and salt.
Agave
attenuata - Mexican succulent
to 1m; large smooth silvery rosettes; very sculptural; very tough;
drought resistant; sun or semi-shade.
Dietes
iridioides (White
African Iris) - evergreen clumping South African perennial to 80cm;
dark green stiff foliage; iris-like white,
yellow and lavender flowers off and on throughout te year; very tough.