Ammophila arenaria, Marram grass grows on coastal sand dunes all over the world, however it is only native to the coastlines, particularly the beaches, of Europe and North Africa. It will grow in pure sand and can tolerate acid and alkaline soils (a range of pH 4,5–9). It prefers well-drained soils low in organic matter. As a xerophytic (surviving in an environment with little liquid water) adaptation, its leaves curl during periods of drought. It is a perennial grass, forming stiff, hardy clumps of erect stems up to 1.2 metres in height. It grows from a network of thick rhizomes, which give it a sturdy anchor in a sand substrate. Furthermore, it can also be buried and will grow upwards as sand or soil accumulates over the plant.

Marram grass has acquired a reputation as an engineering tool, as a land reclamation plant, however there is no reason why this grass can't be used in the garden as a tough ornamental, using it as a feature or as part of a reclamation mix, particularly if you have difficult free draining and very dry soil. Of course, if you need to stabilise a soil or embankment, this plant should do the trick. Like all grasses, it will need old growth cleaning out now and again.