​Living near the coast in Charleston, South Carolina, offers beautiful views and a mild climate, but it also brings unique challenges for landscaping - especially when it comes to soil and salt exposure. Salt tolerance is a key factor to consider when selecting plants that will thrive, particularly for gardens near the shore or areas with brackish soil. Fortunately, there are many trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses that not only withstand salt but bring beauty and resilience to your landscape. Here are eight salt-tolerant plants that will add structure, color, and texture to your Charleston garden, all while standing up to the coastal elements. 

Visit our Garden Center with photos, measurements, and any ideas you have, and let our Nursery Professionals help you find the right plant for the right place. Whether you're looking to create a lush privacy screen, add vibrant color, or troubleshoot a particular spot in your landscape, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

If you're dreaming of an outdoor retreat that combines elegance, comfort, and functionality, this recent Mt. Pleasant landscaping project will inspire you to take the next step toward transforming your own backyard. At Brownswood Nursery & Landscape, our  landscape design team works to create personalized outdoor spaces that extend your home’s living area and match your lifestyle. Whether it’s a cozy spot to gather with family, a luxurious poolside oasis, or a serene garden escape, we bring our expertise to every project.

This Mt. Pleasant backyard transformation was designed with a focus on seamless outdoor living. A Bluestone patio with Old Carolina® brick accents became the perfect setting for a custom outdoor fireplace, offering a cozy ambiance for cool evenings. The Belgard® Dublin Cobble® pool deck, framed by a Weston Stone™ wall, added a touch of sophistication while maintaining durability for high-traffic areas. Steel-edged Plantation Mix walkways connected the space, offering functionality and charm.

Lush, newly landscaped garden beds brought this outdoor retreat to life with a diverse mix of trees, shrubs, and perennials that thrive in Mt. Pleasant’s coastal environment. Key plantings included Magnolia, Crape Myrtle, Japanese Blueberry Trees, and Nelly Stevens Holly for structure and shade, complemented by vibrant flowering plants such as Hydrangeas, Drift® Roses, Bougainvillea, and Salvia. Additional accents like Sweet Grass, Shenandoah Switch Grass, and Variegated Shell Ginger added texture and movement to the design, creating a dynamic yet cohesive look. These thoughtful plant selections not only enhance the landscape’s beauty but also ensure low-maintenance growth and sustainability.

To complete the transformation, Empire Zoysia sod created a lush, welcoming lawn, while updated irrigation and lighting systems ensured long-lasting health and functionality for the landscape. Custom lighting elements, including uplights and path lights, enhanced the design, creating a magical ambiance for nighttime enjoyment. With every detail tailored to the client’s needs, this Mt. Pleasant landscape design delivers a perfect blend of aesthetics and practicality.

Are you ready to transform your outdoor space into the ultimate retreat? Brownswood Nursery & Landscape has been the trusted choice for Mt. Pleasant landscapers for years, delivering expert design and installation services to create beautiful, functional landscapes. Let us help you bring your vision to life.

Plan now to create your dream outdoor living space by scheduling an in-yard design consultation today.

Fall is one of our favorite seasons here in the Charleston. The cooler weather after summer's intense heat and humidity is so refreshing! It's so invigorating, in fact, you may even notice plants in your garden starting to perk up with an offering of fresh blooms and new growth.

For this reason, fall in South Carolina is a lot like a second spring. Better yet, the temperatures will only decrease going into winter. This means planting right now will give your new plants lots of time to get established, go to sleep for winter, and wake up gently in spring before having to face their first summer heatwave! 

We highly recommend amending the soil in your planting area with Brownswood Premium Planting mix as well as a starter fertilizer such as Espoma Organic Bio-tone® Starter Plus to give your new plants their best start. You can find our Planting Guide at the link below. It provides planting instructions and helpful information about watering and getting new plants established. We look forward to seeing you at the Garden Center!