Advice on creating a seaside garden

We have a holiday caravan on the North coast of Cornwall and would love to create some small beds outside to provide some colour and maybe some herbs for the kitchen. Can anyone suggest some ground covering perennials that would remain cheerful in the face of sun, sea winds and winter frosts? We want to avoid plants that could escape and invade the surrounding countryside so no Monbretia or Hottentot Fig please! Many thanks

 

Take a look at these sites, which suggest a number of suitable plants:
http://www.channel4.com/4homes/desi...-plants-for-coastal-gardens-09-05-08_p_4.html

http://www.gcnursery.co.uk/coastal1.html

 

For some inspiration, have a look at the garden Derek Jarman created at Dungeness.

 

Before you make a special trip to Dungeness, I should point out that Jarman's garden isn't a patch on what it was.

 

Not sure when you last saw it Fidgetsmum, but we were down there with 3 Californian gardeners two weeks ago and it was looking glorious. We had a chat with Fergus Garrett (head gardener at Great Dixter) the following day and he said that Howard Sooley (Derek Jarman's friend and photographer) has been looking after it. Oh, and the fish and chips at the Pilot were wonderful!:hehe:

Chris

 

Mogs, I could let you have the list of plants I used for Shinglesea if you're interested.

Chris

 

Belated thanks for the suggestions!