Sandy soils: plants for

Although easy to cultivate and work, light sandy soils dry out quickly and are low in nutrients. When gardening on sandy soil, select plants that will be happy in dry, infertile soils, as other plants will depend on expensive and environmentally questionable heavy watering and feeding.

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Quick facts

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.

Practical considerations

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

Existing borders

Mulch 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 (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 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

Suitable plants

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

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Sandy soils: plants for

Sandy soils: plants for

Quick facts

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Introduction

Practical considerations

Suitable plants

Trees

Conifers

Shrubs

Climbers, and shrubs suitable for wall side situations

Herbaceous perennials

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