Callistemon
Fargesia nitida AGM
Sambucus
Rhamnus alaternus
Lavatera
Low maintenance tough shrubs for dry sandy soil & full Sun. Iris (bearded group), Iris foetidissima AGM
Sandy soils are preferred, but a clay soil with some sand is much preferred to an acidic soil. Soil can be categorised into sand, clay, silt, peat, chalk and loam types of soil based on the dominating size of the particles within a soil. Hieracium
Abutilon
Garrya elliptica
Top 10 Plants for Sandy Soil Jamie Hawkins Updated: Apr. Viburnum
Pseudosasa japonica AGM
Spiraea
Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, General enquiries
We use cookies to provide you with a better service and experience. Achillea
It drains well, is easy to dig in and warms up faster in spring than clay soils, meaning that plants start growing earlier - but there are fewer species adapted to it compared to other soil types.Sandy soil is relatively uncommon in nature and has several distinct disadvantages - it does not hold on to either water or nutrients for long. Celtis occidentalis
Then, to not only add another growing challenge, you have shade.Shade sand plants have to be tough and adaptable to thrive. Origanum vulgare
Acid-loving plants. Estimated growth rate: 60cm or more per year. Echinops
Plants grown in wet soil tend to struggle with issues like root rot, which is … Viburnum
Catananche caerulea
Like clay, silt is fertile, holds water and is easy to compact. typically require shade and thrive in damp soil, which makes them options for silty soil. Symphytum
Grow suitable plants for sandy soils, for a full list visit RHS Incorporate organic matter, loam and fertilisers like blood, fish and bone in spring to improve soil and increase nutrients. Gypsophila paniculata
Jasminum nudiflorum AGM, J. officinale AGM, J. Gaillardia
Campanula carpatica AGM, C. garganica AGM, C. portenschlagiana AGM, C. poscharskyana
Oenothera
They warm up more quickly in spring than clay soils. Though it is not a very fragrant plant, the daylily’s beautiful blooms make up in appearance what the flowers lack in aroma. Both are in short supply when gardening in sandy soil. Escallonia
Pyracantha
Lagerstroemia indica AGM
Ilex
Caragana arborescens
This list from High Value Veggies by Mel Bartholomew is provided by Cool Springs Press. Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’, E. fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ AGM, E. fortunei ‘Variegatus’
Carrots do best in loose, sandy soil that allows for straight growth. Unlike sticky clay, silt soils have a silky consistency. Most plants like well-draining soil but planting in sand takes things a bit further. Argyrocytisus battandieri
Cotoneaster horizontalis
Lonicera periclymenum
Pinus
22 Sandy Soil Perennials For Shade – Sedum Sieboldi Or Stonecrop Sedum Sieboldi or Stonecrop has ice blue leaves tinged with rosy pink and bright … Identifying the type of soil you require for a project is paramount to support the healthy growth of plant life. Cercidiphyllum japonicum AGM
Berberis
Agastache
Araucaria araucana. Foxtail lilies (Eremurus) Foxtail lily (Eremurus ‘Romance’) The graceful flower spikes of foxtail lilies … Philadelphus
Liquidamber
It’s far better to grow plants that thrive in clay soil and the good news is that there are some great plants to choose from. Deciduous
Lonicera
Next up is silty soil, which feels soft in your hands, almost like soap. Choose ‘Alba’ or ‘Rubra’ for large white or pink flowers followed by red hips. Crocosmia
Spartium junceum AGM
It likes soft soil with good air permeability. Taxus baccata AGM, T. × media ‘Hicksii’ AGM. Poncirus trifoliata
Cotoneaster lacteus AGM
Juniperus
Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), This dense, low growing herb is evergreen and responds well to sandy soils. Santolina
Clay soils might be heavy to work and a bit challenging, but they are fertile and lend a good deal of support and anchorage. https://blog.gardenloversclub.com/ornamental/sandy-soil-plants If your soil is less than … When gardening on sandy soil it is important to select plants that will be happy in dry, infertile soils, as other plants will depend on expensive and environmentally questionable heavy watering and feeding. Plants in sandy soil must be able to withstand periods of drought, as any moisture will seep away from roots. Phormium
Convolvulus cneorum AGM
Ribes
Hypericum
Genista
Laying a surface mulch of compost above the soil to help conserve any moisture within the soil, giving the young plant a good start, and always water in a plant immediately after planting and carry on watering regularly while young plants … Laburnum anagyroides, L. × watereri ‘Vossii’ AGM
Pittosporum
It could be because of the soil type -clay soils tend to drain poorly while sandy soils drain exceptionally fast. … Zauschneria, Join
The types of plant I know will grow well in Chalky soil are: Our own native wildflowers such as poppies, cornflowers and chamomile grow well in chalky soils. Malva, e.g. Cistus
Light sandy soils drain quickly after rain or watering, and are easy to cultivate and work. Most plants like well-draining soil but planting in sand takes things a bit further. Yucca, Evergreen
To make the best of this soil type, follow the guidelines below; The following trees, conifers, shrubs, climbers, herbaceous perennials and ground covering plants offer some reliable, proven suggestions for sandy soils. Plants that grow well in clay soil will thrive in silty soil. Plants For Sandy Soil Sandy soils tend to drain very quickly, so are ideal for supporting Mediterranean-style or drought-tolerant plants, which are happiest in dry conditions. Fuchsia (hardy kinds)
Carrot. Quercus ilex AGM, Araucaria araucana
Kerria japonica
Anthemis
Try one of the prostrate varieties, like Lockwood de Forest or Irene, for use as a large scale groundcover in sandy soil. Perennials Hostas (Hosta spp.) Sandy soil; Clay soil; Dry soil; Normal soil; Wet soil; Acid soil; Height. Glaucium
times, RHS Registered Charity no. Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) ‘Sunshine’ AGM, B. monroi AGM
Simply plant any of these 43 acid loving plants. Robinia
It could also be related to the layout of the land. Lespedeza
Low maintenance tough shrubs for dry sandy soil & full Sun. RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. Silty. Sticky mud you can roll into a sausage is a clay soil. Dianthus
Gleditsia triacanthos
Chaenomeles
Miscanthus sinensis AGM
RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected
In general, plants that grow in the sand will require less maintenance from homeowners as they become established and naturalize in the landscape. This generalized list is a starting point for finding plants for your clay soil garden. Stonecrop (genus Sedum), The genus sedum includes a wide range of succulent plants that grow naturaly in sandy soil. Sorbus
Sandy soils are often very acidic. Alstroemeria
The growing zones and conditions listed are general. Native plants like Butterfly Weed and Coreopsis are often well-adapted to nutrient-poor, sandy soils. Iberis
Water will drain quickly in sandy soil, which means nutrients will pass through the soil faster. Low; Medium; Tall; Other details. Deciduous
Halimium lasianthum AGM, H. ocymoides AGM
Height: 18-25m. Rugosa rose hips Rosa rugosa is one of the few roses that likes light soil, even sand. Plants like clay a lot more than gardeners do. On the downside, they dry out quickly and are low in plant nutrients, which are quickly washed out by rain. Anaphalis
Ilex
Dendromecon rigida (lime-hating)
Veronica prostrata AGM
If you don’t have acid soil but like the look of some of these plants, grow them in containers. Growing to a height of up to 20 feet (6m) it bears masses of sweetly scented white flowers in summer. Cotoneaster
If your garden is mostly dry these are the best low maintenance plants: Lavenders, … Plants that either prefer or will tolerate acid soil are sometimes known as ericaceous plants. Euonymus
Unlike sticky clay, silt soils have a silky consistency. Solidago
Lonicera japonica
Amenanthele
Mahonia
Cordyline
Erica (lime hating)
Cultivars of the species and hybrids listed below are similarly suitable and some of particular merit are included in the lists below.