Norfolk Coast: A Long Border for Climate Resilience

The border

As our climate changes, Norfolk’s coastline faces new challenges. As its landscape responds and changes, so do the communities that live within it. The border seeks to embrace and celebrate this process by contrasting local plant communities and the building vernacular, with climate resilient planting design for a future focussed approach to gardening.

While rising sea levels, drought and wildlife displacement threaten Norfolk’s landscape and communities, its natural beauty persists through its coastal plant communities. Weathered by the elements, they endure and adapt in the face of adversity. These unique species form the foundations of a rich, locally grounded planting design.

The planting

• Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) and Leymus arenarius (lyme grass): both are common native coastal grasses integral to managing erosion and coastal habitats

• Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn): a common native tree seen along the coastline, often in a characteristic wind clipped form

• Crambe maritima (sea kale) and Daucus carota (wild carrot): both common coastal wildflowers with significant value to gardeners for their beauty and pollinator appeal

About the designers – Max Murrell and Adrian Scott, Murrell Scott Design

Max and Adrian are currently working as landscape architects and garden designers in Sheffield. They have a keen interest in gardens, plants and the power of good design to transform places. They believe that good design comes from an understanding of place and an honest personal response.

About the sponsor – Norfolk Coast Protected Landscape

Norfolk Coast Protected Landscape is an area of nationally important landscapes, seascapes and wildlife. They are also a working landscape, home to rural businesses and communities.The Norfolk Coast Protected Landscape has launched a five-year management plan (2025-30). This is structured around four strategic priorities: Nature recovery, climate adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development, local communities and wellbeing.

The garden legacy

The planting to be donated to a local school affected by erosion. The border will also be a prototype for a small number of example long borders to be used by Norfolk Coast Protected Landscapes to highlight their new coastal management plan.