Oregon’s coastal environment offers you salt spray, cool summers, and hardy winds—conditions that many plants simply can’t handle. Luckily, several Oregon coastal native plants flourish in these unique settings. They anchor dunes, protect your yard from coastal breezes, and welcome local wildlife. Below is a curated list to help you choose the right additions for your garden.

Shore pine for windy zones

Shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta) is a rugged evergreen that adapts beautifully to gusty coastal air. You will appreciate its short needles and gnarled shape, which create natural windbreaks. Give it some well-draining sandy soil, and this pine will easily keep its footing even in brisk seaside conditions. Water regularly the first year, then let ocean mist and occasional rain do the rest.

• Ideal for: Erosion control, wind buffer
• Basic care: Full sun, minimal watering once established

Coastal strawberry for quick cover

Coastal strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) spreads to form a dense mat of green leaves, making it a smart groundcover choice. In spring, delicate white flowers appear, later followed by small, edible berries. It tolerates sandy soil, and its low profile helps it avoid wind stress. Good news, you will also attract pollinators with those blossoms.

• Ideal for: Stabilizing slopes, edible berries
• Basic care: Full sun or partial shade, moderate watering

Kinnikinnick for trailing color

Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a native evergreen known for its trailing stems and bright red berries. It thrives in rocky, sandy spots with good drainage, so it fits the Oregon Coast’s signature soil. Think of kinnikinnick as a ribbon of green that gently blankets dunes or rock gardens. You will see small pinkish-white flowers that add a subtle seasonal highlight.

• Ideal for: Rock gardens, groundcover
• Basic care: Full sun, well-draining soil

Red-flowering currant for pollinators

If you want a bold pop of color, red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) answers the call. Each spring, this shrub bursts with clusters of deep pink or red blooms that help migrating hummingbirds and local bees. Plant it in a partial sun spot for best results, and pair it with a few Pacific Northwest native plants for pollinators to extend the benefits for local wildlife.

• Ideal for: Supporting hummingbirds, early-season blooms
• Basic care: Partial sun, moderate watering

Evergreen huckleberry for year-round harvest

Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) offers small, glossy leaves that stay green all year. Its berries ripen to a rich dark blue and taste slightly sweet—perfect for jam or fresh snacking. This hardy shrub tolerates salt spray and prefers partial shade, although it handles sun in cooler coastal climates.

• Ideal for: Edible berries, ornamental foliage
• Basic care: Partial shade, consistent watering

Oregon grape for vibrant foliage

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) stands out with its spiky, holly-like leaves and bright yellow flowers. The stems produce clusters of deep purple berries that can be made into a tangy jam if you harvest them at the right time. You will also find that its glossy leaves reflect the coastal sun, adding a natural shine to your garden.

• Ideal for: Year-round visual interest, beneficial berries
• Basic care: Partial shade to full sun, moderate watering

Sword fern for low-maintenance beauty

Sword fern (Polystichum munitum) is a classic evergreen fern beloved for its arching fronds. It thrives under shade or partial sunlight along the coast. Best of all, it asks for very little: a bit of moisture, some dappled light, and occasional removal of older fronds. You can also plant ferns alongside native grasses of Oregon to diversify both color and texture in your coastal garden.

• Ideal for: Shaded corners, elegant texture
• Basic care: Partial to full shade, moderate watering

Quick recap and next step

Your coastline garden can absolutely flourish when you choose the right Oregon coastal native plants. Shore pine offers a hardy wind barrier, coastal strawberry and kinnikinnick fill in bare ground and slopes, and bushes like red-flowering currant, evergreen huckleberry, and Oregon grape bring color plus wildlife appeal. If you love ferns, sword fern is a wonderful finishing touch.

Try introducing just one of these resilient natives this season. You will give your yard a natural, inviting look that stands up to the sea’s salty mood. Plus, many of these plants will support pollinators, small birds, and beneficial insects—a big win for local biodiversity. By combining practicality with beauty, your garden can thrive where land meets surf. Have fun exploring the possibilities.