The environment of Coastal Virginia poses some unique problems for gardeners. I’m sure that is true for every region of Virginia and other states on the Eastern Seaboard, but finding the right trees and shrubs to plant along the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and creeks requires investigation into which plants will thrive in salt spray on the open coast or on land bordering brackish water. Last week, my friend, Peggy, asked me to suggest several varieties of shrubs to plant along the river on her property.

Summersweet or sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) is a North American native that grows in marshes, swamps, and along stream banks. This deciduous shrub will grow in full sun to part shade and tolerates full shade and salt. It will grow in clay soil, but adding organic matter will improve its performance. This lovely deciduous shrub grows 3 to 8 feet in height with a spread of 4 to 6 feet. Spicy-sweet scented panicles of tiny white blossoms appear in mid to late summer. The flow...