AS A horticultural student, I can remember learning the name of Hoppophae rhamnoides along with others in lists of plants that have good berries and that will grow well in coastal areas.

When I came to Brockhole I planted a small specimen by the lakeshore, where it has languished ever since growing no more than a few inches per year and producing not a single berry.

I had all but forgotten about the plant and its supposed virtues when, driving through the outskirts of Workington just after Christmas, I came across a great drift of Hippophae planted on a roadside embankment.

And yes, they ARE good in coastal areas, and the berries ARE wonderful!

The Sea Buckthorn, to use its common name, is a British native mostly found growing on coastal dunes on the eastern side of the country.

It has been widely planted in other coastal areas to help stabilise dunes.

A member of the same family as Elaeagnus, the Sea Buckthorn has elegant, oblong leaves with the same silvery bronze scales as Elaeagnus.

It makes a large, bushy, deciduous shrub, with both male and female plants producing tiny, yellow-green flowers in spring.

In autumn, the female plants produce bright orange berries that persist through the winter months long after the leaves have fallen.

The acrid, yellow juice of the fruits means they are normally avoided by birds, which accounts for their long 'shelf life' on the bushes.

Other useful shrubs for growing in coastal gardens and exposed, windy sites in general include Escallonia, Fuchsia magellanica, Hydrangeas, Hollies, Brooms, Elaeagnus, Garrya elliptica and Viburnums.

Hard frosts are less likely to occur on the coast than inland, so plants such as Yucca, Phormium and Cordyline are well worth trying.

The foliage of tough, Mediterranean herbs such as Rosemary, Lavender and Santolina, designed to protect them against hot, dry weather, will also protect against both salty and windy conditions (though not against excessive cold and wet).

Roses generally fare well by the sea, especially our native Rosa pimpinellifolia, as do Pyracantha, Hebes and ornamental Elderberries.

Sandy soils are obviously light and free draining, but can often be low in fertility.

They may be improved by digging in plenty of organic matter and humus, which will improve both water and nutrient retention.

Newly planted shrubs will need to be watered regularly until they are established, watering thoroughly rather than little and often will encourage roots to grow deeply and find their own water.

Slide enclosed: A young plant of Hippophae rhamnoides.

Jobs for the gardener this week:

Prune greenhouse climbers such as Plumbago, Passionflower and Grapevines.

A good job for a rainy day; cut out any weak or sickly growths, prune side shoots back by two thirds, and tie the main stems firmly to wires or supports.

Sprout seed potatoes (eyes uppermost) in trays in a cool greenhouse or frost-free shed.

Water pot grown Azaleas regularly if you want to keep them - the peaty compost they are grown in is almost impossible to re-wet if it dries out completely.