Choosing Plants for Chalk Soil: Trees and ShrubsPlants for chalk soil need to be able to cope not only with quite strongly alkaline conditions, but also with a rather 'thin and hungry' topsoil.
Whilst the majority of plants will happily grow in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, there are some that positively relish limy or chalky soil. To help you we've picked out some trees and shrubs that will grow on chalk soils. For more ideas on choosing suitable plants go to Choosing Plants for Chalk Soil: Perennials and Climbers. To extend the range of plants you can grow, you can improve or amend very thin chalk soils by adding plenty of organic matter.
Plants for Chalk Soil: Trees Form: small tree or large shrub Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 4 to 7 Soil: flourishes on chalk but will grow in any well drained soil Situation: full sun or light shade Height: 3m (10ft) Spread: 2.5m (8ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Of all the plants for chalk soil, this little tree provides the most spectacular autumn colour with the bonus of unusual rosy fruits that split to reveal orange seeds.  Form: neat spreading tree Foliage: evergreen Hardiness: UK - hardy; North American hardiness zones 8 to 10 Soil: thrives on chalk but will grow in any well drained soil Situation: full sun or partial shade Height: 10m (33ft) Spread: 10m (33ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Neat spreading form, attractive glossy oval leaves and panicles of creamy flowers in summer and early autumn.  Form: spreading tree Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - fully hardy; North American hardiness zones 6 to 8 Soil: thrives on chalk soil but will grow in any well drained, moisture retentive soil Situation: full sun Height: 8m (25ft) Spread: 8m (25ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: A really attractive tree with an elegant spreading form, buds and blossom from mid autumn to early spring and good autumn colour. Plants for Chalk Soil: Shrubs Form: fast growing flowering shrub Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - hardy; North American hardiness zones 6 to 8 Soil: does well on chalk but will grow in any well drained fertile soil Situation: full sun Height: 4m (13ft) Spread: 3m (10ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Fragrant spikes of golden yellow flowers in summer and autumn. One of the best plants for chalk soil if you want to attract butterflies to your garden. Also consider: Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue', 'Royal Red' and 'White Profusion'.  Form: flowering shrub Foliage: evergreen Hardiness: UK - hardy; North American hardiness zones 7 to 8 Soil: any well drained soil; tolerates chalk Situation: light sun to heavy shade Height: 2m (6ft) Spread: 3m (10ft) Awards: RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Dense, glossy dark green leaves divided into many spiny leaflets and long slender spikes of fragrant yellow flowers from late autumn into spring. Also consider: Mahonia aquifolium (0.6x1.2m, 2x4ft); Mahonia x Media 'Buckland' and 'Charity' (5x4m, 15x12ft).  Form: flowering shrub Foliage: deciduous Hardiness: UK - hardy; North American hardiness zones 5 to 8 Soil: thrives on chalk so long as it is not too dry, but will grow in any soil Situation: sun or shade Height: 1.2-3m (4-10ft) Spread: 1.2-3m (4-10ft) Awards: Many hold the RHS AGM Reasons to grow: Fabulously fragrant white flowers in late spring to mid-summer, depending on the variety. The scent is reminiscent of orange blossom - hence the name. Some forms have variegated or golden foliage. Also consider: Philadelphus 'Beauclerk' with white, pink flushed flowers; Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile' with white, yellow centred flowers; Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine' for its low, spreading habit and double creamy white flowers; Philadelphus 'Virginal' for its height and spread (3x3m, 10x10ft) and double flowers; Philadelphus coronarius 'Variegatus' with variegated mid green and white leaves; Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus' for its bright yellow green foliage. Need More Information?You can find information and advice about garden soil, including links to other soil-related pages, at Healthy Garden Soil. |
Top Summer Gardening Tips"Summer is a glorious time of year in the garden so check out our essential summer gardening tips and make the most of your backyard.To make things easier, we asked an expert gardener to pick out the most important seasonal tasks - the ones that deliver the most benefit for the least amount of effort!"
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