Fig-marigolds (Mesembryanthemum) and Sedums cover and cling to the rocks where the toes of 
the garden are in the sea; near “The Golden Gate” (Cal.); Mark Daniels, Landscape Architect 
GARDENS SPLASHED BY THE SEA 
STEPHEN F. HAMBLIN 
Director of the Botanic Garden of Harvard University 
S OME of us who have a particularly live garden enthu¬ 
siasm and go to a summer home by the sea during the 
months of J uly and August cannot but regret the garden 
left behind. However, our energy may show itself in 
building a garden between the dwelling and the waves; and 
oftentimes with pitiful result, for the sea is a jealous tenant of 
the shore; nothing of the land is permitted within his reach. 
It is not wholly the high percentage of salt in the soil that 
makes the growing of plants difficult here, nor the effect of the 
salts in the water upon the leaves; for the soil not only has little 
plant food but it is usually pure sand or heavy clay, and the 
winds from off the water at times cut the plant foliage cruelly. 
Yet nature makes few sea-beaches a desert; some shore plants 
are growing down to the water’s edge, and many showy garden¬ 
like plants thrive at the high-water mark. Without giving any 
notice to marine algae and their kin—there is a goodly array of 
flowering plants and shrubs, which can find Maces along the sea¬ 
shore and thrive. 
Annuals are often planted close to the tide. Unless sheltered 
from high winds they should be low and of stiff growth, and a 
narrow leafage will be a protection. The light sandy soil, if 
manure be added, favors plenty of flowers, and most of the 
common sorts that like full sun don’t mind a little salt in the 
soil. But it is not truly seaside gardening unless your planting 
is sometimes wet by the tide; then strange things will happen. 
Zinnias, Marigolds and Portulacas can take a sea bath and sur¬ 
vive; but Nasturtiums emerge as if touched by a hard frost. 
The planting may be divided into three zones, though only 
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