I live close to the coast and like you have watched as trees and shrubs have turned up their toe's. In the winter of 2003 I planted a Genista monosperma BRIDAL VEIL or WHITE WEEPING BROOM in twelve months it had trippled in size and this last spring had the most wonderful display of flowers, the perfume was to die for. I like you battle with the east wind, salt laden west wind and limestone soil. I love this small tree/shrub so much I have planted another 5.

how about the N.Z xmas tree, Metrosideros excelsa...great for coastal gardens, not deciduous and nice red flowers

I'm getting suggestions just by reading other posts. I get strong south easterly sea breezes almost all the time here, and when the weather pattern moves across it changes to hot northerlies for a couple of days so things need to be tough here too on the south coast.