By Fillbe
United Kingdom 
i live in folkestone and have a sea facing flat. my balcony is open to the elements as it has railings rather than brick or glass. i'd like to grow some flowers and herbs in various sized pots and wondered what might survive the bracing sea air. my balcony is in full sun for all of the day. i have a olive growing which seems to have survived being out there for the last 3 years and is very healthy, although it doesnt seem to get any bigger despite re potting it in a bigger pot. i also have some rosemary and thyme which is growing but its early days, and the mint was healthy but in the last few days of wind and rain, along with the coriander its falling back and looking very poorly. any advice would be really appreiciated
thanks
9 Jun, 2012
Answers
I agree Bertie, I was watching Gardeners World this week and they were visiting 2 coastal gardens, the owners have gone for coastal plants, they gave up with anything else as they just died, the gardens did look really pretty.
9 Jun, 2012
Hydrangeas usually do well near the sea and would live happily in a large pot for some time before getting too big. Sea campion and almeria maritima are sure bets. Succulents would be happy too as long as you could give them shelter from frosts and too much wet in winter.
Fuchsia magellanica grows well near the sea too though it will make a large plant eventually. You'd have to have some method of making sure the pots don't blow over when the winds are strong.
9 Jun, 2012
Why not simply choose those plants which grow naturally near the sea and enjoy a maritime climate?
This should help:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2011/News-features/Plants/Coastal-plants
9 Jun, 2012