Fowey has the advantage of being on an estuary, so it is relatively sheltered, but if your garden is right on the sea, make sure plants are tough enough to withstand salt-laden winds. If necessary, plant windbreaks such as Rosa rugosa.

The poor, shallow soil in seaside gardens such as Smit’s is not necessarily a problem: make the most of the increased light levels and mild conditions to use plants from warmer climes, such as callistemon, agapanthus (right) and palms. Sheltered coastal gardens don’t have to be just about thrift and sea pinks – take advantage of the lack of frost, especially in the mild southwest, by planting in a jungly Mediterranean style. Think south of France rather than Southwold.

Make the most of high levels of reflected light from the water and go for bold colours in your planting – reds, yellows, bright blues and whites. Pastels will just look insipid.

Monterey pines ( Pinus radiata) can withstand high winds and are useful for creating shelter belts. They can grow to 130ft, so plan carefully where you site them, as you don’t want to plunge the whole garden into shade.

The strong coastal light is a great excuse for having fun with your garden buildings, too. Paint them in ice-cream shades or jaunty blue and white stripes – where else are you going to get away with it? Decking, too, is in its natural habitat here

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