Even for challenging conditions, you usually have the choice of several perennials. For a shady deck that gets the brunt of the wind, you'll need to choose sturdy perennials. Some will grow in containers on the deck, while others can be planted around a deck and act as a wind break.
If you want to block some of the wind from getting to the deck, large shrubs can help. Choose drought-tolerant plants, since wind dries out the soil, and choose types with small leaves that won't be torn by the wind. Good choices for partial shade include downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo, USDA zones 7 through 9). Serviceberry grows 15 to 25 feet tall, and strawberry tree grows 15 to 30 feet tall. Both require regular watering after being planted, but are drought-tolerant once their roots are established.
Windy Landscape Plants
If you don't need a windbreak, several shorter landscape plants grow well in partly shaded, windy conditions. Pacific Coast iris (Iris douglasiana, USDA zones 8 though 9) grows 12 to 18 inches tall. In spring, this iris has bluish-purple flowers in shades of dark blue to lavender. California lilacs, like the variety "El Dorado" (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus "Perado," USDA zones 7 through 11), are evergreen shrubs with bright spring flowers. "El Dorado" grows up to 8 feet tall. California lilacs can be paired with serviceberry or strawberry tree when planting windbreaks, as well as used on their own.
Containers in Wind
Before choosing container plants to grow on a windy deck, you have to choose the right container. Lightweight pots blow over easily, so pick large heavy pots. Any pot you use needs to have drainage holes. Glazed ceramic works best, because the ceramic gives weight and the glaze helps keep the soil from drying out. Herbs from the Mediterranean climate are a good choice for windy locations. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, USDA zones 8 through 10) and sage (Salvia officinalis, USDA zones 4 through 8) are two choices that will grow in partial shade.
Several perennial vines have a high tolerance for wind. Most are best for full sun, but yellow orchid vine, also called butterfly vine (Mascagnia macroptera, USDA zones 8 through 10), is tolerant of partial shade. Once established, this vine is drought-tolerant and flowers most of the year. Bower plant (Pandorea jasminoides, USDA zones 9 through 11) has an even higher tolerance for shade. It flowers sporadically throughout the year, and has moderate drought tolerance. Both of these vines can be grown in containers but they will need some kind of support to climb, like a trellis attached to the deck.
- Marin Master Gardeners: Plants That Aren't Blown Away By the Wind
- Las Pilitas Nursery: Hedges, Wind Breaks, and Screens with California Native Plants
- University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension: Enhancing Your Lanai, Balcony, or Patio with Container Plants
- UGA Extension: Growing Indoor Plants with Success: Selecting Containers
- Manual of Woody Landscape Plants; Michael A. Dirr
- Monrovia: El Dorado California Lilac
- ZipcodeZoo.com: Iris Douglasiana
- Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening: Herbs; Patricia S. Michalak
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Butterfly Vine
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Pandorea Jasminoides
- Nick Garrad/iStock/Getty Images