Sandy soils: plants for

Our top 5 plants for sandy soils:

Light sandy soils drain quickly after rain or watering, and are easy to cultivate and work. They warm up more quickly in spring than clay soils. On the downside, they dry out quickly and are low in plant nutrients, which are quickly washed out by rain. Sandy soils are often very acidic before organic matter is added, and become more alkaline after. Above all, they will have better moisture retention when you add organic materials.

To make the best of this soil type, follow the guidelines below:

Existing borders

• Mulch
  Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. borders annually with a 5cm (2in) layer of organic matter to improve the moisture-retaining ability of the soil. Worms will draw down the organic matter and help create a 'crumb' structure
• Recycled green waste
  Plant-based waste that is suitable for composting, such as dead leaves, clippings from pruning or grass mowing and discarded annuals. Many local councils have green waste recycling schemes if home composting isn't an option. (such as from the council) applied year after year can make the soil very alkaline, so try to alternate with farmyard manures or composted bark
  Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants. for example

New borders

• Plan borders carefully, choosing drought-resistant plants which, once established, should need watering infrequently
• Prepare planting sites thoroughly, incorporating good quantities (1-2 buckets per square metre) of moisture-retentive, well-rotted organic matter, such as farm manure, garden compost, leafmould or composted tree bark as the first year or two of establishment are critical to long term survival
• Use a rotavator or spade to dig in the organic matter to a depth of 30cm (12in)
• When planting in spring, incorporate a slow-release fertilizer such as ‘Vitax Q4' or a controlled release material such as‘Osmocote’
• Follow with a 5-8cm (2-3ins) deep mulch of bark or similar material to help reduce water loss. Apply a surface dressing of fertiliser in spring around autumn-planted plants before mulching
• Water thoroughly and regularly during dry periods throughout the first growing season. With autumn planted evergreens and conifers, irrigation may be needed on occasion even during the winter months

The following trees, conifers, shrubs, climbers, herbaceous perennials

Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs. and ground covering plants offer some reliable, proven suggestions for sandy soils.

Where a genus is listed without mention of a particular species or cultivar

Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit. , all species will be suitable. Cultivars of the species and hybrids listed below are similarly suitable and some of particular merit are included in the lists below.

Trees

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.
Acer campestreAGM – Native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since. to GB, A. negundo, A. platanoides AGM, A. saccharinum AGM, A. tataricum
Albizia julibrissin f. roseaAGM
Alnus cordata AGM
Betula, includingBetula pendula – Native to GB and Ireland
Castanea sativa AGM – Native to GB – Archaeophyte
Catalpa
Celtis occidentalis
Cercidiphyllum japonicum AGM
Cercis siliquastrum AGM
Crataegus, includingCrataegus laevigata – Native to GB
Crataegus monogyna– Native to GB and Ireland
Fraxinus ornus AGM
Ginkgo
Gleditsia triacanthos
Koelreuteria paniculata AGM
+ Laburnocytisus 'Adamii'
Laburnum anagyroides, L. × watereri ‘Vossii’ AGM
Liquidambar
Populus alba – Native to GB and Ireland, P. tremula AGM
Prunus, includingPrunus spinosa – Native to GB and Ireland
Robinia
Sorbus, including Sorbus aria 'Lutescens' AGM and Sorbus aucuparia ‘Sheerwater Seedling’ AGM – Both cultivars of native to GB and Ireland
Tilia tomentosa

Evergreen
Arbutus unedo – Native to Ireland
Eucalyptus
Ilex, including Ilex aquifolium AGM – Native to GB and Ireland
Quercus ilex AGM

Conifers

Araucaria araucana
Cedrus deodara AGM
Chamaecyparis
× Cupressocyparis leylandii
Cupressus arizonica, C. macrocarpa (young plants tender in cold areas)
Juniperus, including Juniperus communis – native to GB and Ireland and Juniperus communis 'Green Carpet' – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Pinus
Taxus baccataAGM – Native to GB and Ireland
T. × media ‘Hicksii’ AGM

Shrubs

Deciduous
Abutilon
Amelanchier lamarckiiAGM
Artemisia, including Artemisia maritima 'Cocoa Cola' – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Atriplex halimus
Berberis
Buddleja alternifolia AGM, B. davidii
Caragana arborescens
Caryopteris × clandonensis
Ceratostigma willmottianum AGM
ChaenomelesCitrus trifoliata
Colutea arborescens
Corethrodendron multijugum
Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Cornus sanguinea– Native to GB and Ireland
Cotinus coggygria AGM
Cotoneaster
Cytisus, includingCytisus scoparius– Native to GB and Ireland
Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade' – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Forsythia
Frangula alnus– Native to GB and Ireland
Fuchsia (hardy kinds)
Gaultheria mucronata,
Genista, including Genista tinctoria– Native to GB
Helianthemum includingHelianthemum nummularium – Native to GB and Ireland
Hibiscus syriacus
Hippophae rhamnoides AGM – Native to GB
Hypericum
Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. van Tol' AGM – Cultivar of Native to GB and Ireland
Indigofera
Kerria japonica
Lavatera
Lespedeza
Lonicera
Ononis repens
Philadelphus
Phlomis fruticosa AGM
Physocarpus opulifolius
Potentilla, including Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty' AGM andP. 'Primrose Beauty'AGM – Cultivars of native to GB and Ireland
Pseudodictamnus mediterraneusAGM
Punica granatum
Ribes
Rosa spinosissimaandRosa canina –Natives to GB and Ireland
R. rugosa
Salix caprea–Native to GB and Ireland
Salvia 'Blue Spire' AGM
Sambucus, includingSambucus nigra–Native to GB and Ireland
Spartium junceum AGM
Spiraea
Neilia incisa (syn. Stephanandra incisa)
Symphoricarpos
Tamarix
Ulex europaeus–Native to GB and Ireland – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Viburnum, including V. opulus 'Roseum' AGM

Evergreen
Abelia
Arbutus unedo AGM
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – Native to GB and Ireland
Berberis
Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) ‘Sunshine’ AGM, B. monroi AGM
Calluna vulgaris – Native to GB and Ireland (lime-hating)
Chamaerops humilis AGM (tender)
Choisya ternata AGM
Cistus
Cistus × sahuchii AGM
Convolvulus cneorum AGM
Cordyline
Cotoneaster (low growing species)
Elaeagnus
Erica including Erica cinerea – Native to GB and Ireland (lime-hating)
Escallonia
Euonymus
Fargesia nitida AGM
Griselinia littoralis AGM (tender)
× H. wintonensis AGM
Halimium lasianthum AGM, H. ocymoides AGM
HelianthemumincludingHelianthemum nummularium – Native to GB and Ireland
Ilex
Lavandula
Mahonia
Olearia
Osmanthus × burkwoodii AGM
Ozothamnus
Phlomis fruticosa AGM
Photinia
Pittosporum
Rhamnus alaternus
Rosmarinus
Ruta graveolens
Salvia officinalis
Sarcococca
Santolina
Skimmia
Thymus pulegioides 'Aureus' AGM – Cultivar of Native to GB and Ireland
Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz' AGM – Cultivar of Native to GB
Veronica
Viburnum
Vinca Including Vinca minor 'Bowles's Variety' AGM – Cultivar of Native to GB and Ireland - Archaeophyte
Yucca

Climbers, and shrubs suitable for wall side situations

Evergreen
Acacia dealbata AGM
Callistemon
Ceanothus
Cotoneaster lacteus AGM
Dendromecon rigida (lime-hating)
Eriobotrya japonica AGM (lime-hating)
Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’,E. fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ AGM, E. fortunei ‘Variegatus’
Fremontodendron (lime-hating)
Garrya elliptica
Hedera colchica AGM
H. helixandH. hibernica AGM – Natives to GB and Ireland
Hedera helix 'Glacier' (v) AGM – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Hedera helix 'Goldchild' (v) AGM – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Lonicera japonica
Lonicera periclymenum – Native to GB and Ireland
Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' AGM – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Lonicera periclymenum 'Serotina' AGM – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Phlomis fruticosa
Pyracantha
Trachelospermum

Deciduous
Argyrocytisus battandieri
Caragana arborescens
Chaenomeles speciosa , C. × superba
Cotoneaster horizontalis
Eccremocarpus scaber (lime-hating)
Jasminum nudiflorumAGM, J. officinale AGM, J. × stephanense
Lagerstroemia indica AGM
Lonicera periclymenum
Lycium barbarum , L. chinense
Passiflora caerulea AGM
Robinia hispida AGM
Romneya coulteri AGM
Wisteria

Herbaceous perennials

Acanthus
Achillea, Including: Achillea millefolium 'Red Velvet' AGM – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland and
Achillea ptarmica (The Pearl Group) 'The Pearl' – Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Agapanthus
Agastache
Alcea
Alstroemeria
Althaea officinalis – Native to GB
Amaryllis belladonnaAGM
Anemanthele
Anaphalis
Anchusa
Anemone japonica
Anthemis
Armeria, includingArmeria maritima – Native to GB and Ireland
Aurinia saxatilis AGM
Baptisia australis AGM
Betonica officinalis – Native to GB and Ireland
Briza media – Native to GB and Ireland
Borago
Campanula carpatica AGM, C. garganica AGM, C. portenschlagiana AGM, C. poscharskyana
Campanula rotundifolia – Native to GB and Ireland
Catananche caerulea
Centaureaincluding Centaurea scabiosa – Native to GB and Ireland
Centranthus
Coreopsis
Cortaderia
Crambe maritima – Native to GB and Ireland
Crocosmia
DianthusincludingDianthus deltoides AGM and Dianthus gratianopolitanus AGM – Natives to GB and Ireland
Echinops
Erigeron
Eryngium, including Eryngium maritimum – Native to GB and Ireland
Euphorbia, includingEuphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' – Cultivar of native to GB
Gaillardia
Gaura
Geranium, includingGeranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark' AGM – Cultivar of native to GB and
Geranium sanguineum var. striatum – Variety of native to GB and Ireland
Glaucium, includingGlaucium flavum – Native to GB and Ireland
Gypsophila paniculata
Heliopsis
Hemerocallis
Heuchera
Hieracium
Hylotelephium telephium (Atropurpureum Group) 'Purple Emperor' AGM – Cultivar of Native to GB
Hyssopus officinalis
Iberis
Iris (bearded group), Iris foetidissimaAGM – Native to GB
Inula helenium– Native to GB and Ireland – Archaeophyte
Kniphofia
Lathyrus latifolius AGM
Liatris spicata
Limoniumincluding Limonium vulgare – Native to GB
Linum
Liriope muscari AGM
Lupinus
Malva, e.g. Malva alcea
Marrubium vulgare – Native to GB
Miscanthus sinensis AGM
Nepetaincluding Nepeta cataria – Native to GB and Ireland - Archaeophyte
Oenothera
Onopordum acanthium – Native to GB and Ireland - Archaeophyte
Origanum vulgare – Native to GB and Ireland
Papaverincluding Papaver rhoeas – Native to GB and Ireland - Archaeophyte and Papaver cambricum – Native to GB and Ireland
Phormium
Pulsatilla vulgaris AGM – Native to GB
Saponaria
Scabiosa columbaria– Native to GB
Sedum
Solidago
Stachys
Symphytum
Tanacetum parthenium – Native to GB and Ireland - Archaeophyte T. vulgare – Native to GB
Thymus
Verbascum
Verbena officinalis ‘Bampton’ – Cultivar of Native to GB and Ireland - Archaeophyte
Veronica spicata ‘Glory’ - Cultivar of Native to GB and Ireland
Veronica prostrataAGM
Zauschneria