911±¬ÁÏ

Top 5 plants for chalk:

Many chalky soils are shallow, very free-draining and low in fertility, but variations exist. Where there is clay present, nutrient levels may be higher and the water holding capacity greater.

Where chalky soils are deep, they can be moisture-retentive and support a wide range of plants. They will not support ericaceous plants such as camellia and rhododendrons that need acid soil

The acidity/alkalinity of soil is measured on a pH scale, which runs from 0 to 14. Neutral soil has a pH of 7. Acid (or ericaceous) soil has a pH of less than 7, and the lower the pH, the more acidic the soil. You can measure your soil pH using a simple testing kit. Acid-loving (ericaceous) plants include rhododendrons, camellias, heathers and blueberries. Adding lime to soil will reduce its acidity. A slightly acidic soil of pH 6.5 is the best general-purpose pH for gardens, allowing a wide range of plants to grow. conditions. Very chalky soils may contain lumps of visible chalky white stone. Such soils cannot be acidified, and it is better to choose plants that will thrive in alkaline conditions.

When planting on chalky soils it is important to first establish how deep the topsoil is. Many trees and shrubs that will tolerate alkaline soil

The acidity/alkalinity of soil is measured on a pH scale, which runs from 0 to 14. Neutral soil has a pH of 7. Alkaline (lime-rich) soil has a pH above 7, and the higher the pH, the more alkaline the soil. Chalky or limestone soils are alkaline. You can measure your soil pH using a simple testing kit. If you have alkaline soil, choose plants that will thrive in it – acid-loving or ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons will not. Club root disease (which affects brassicas) is less prevalent in alkaline soil. conditions may become chlorotic (yellow) on shallow soils over chalks. In some gardens the soil layer may be very thin indeed – only a few inches – before hitting solid chalk. Where this is the case, topsoil will need to be brought in to make planting possible. On shallow soils over chalk where increasing soil depth is not an option, wildflower mixes selected for chalk tolerance may still thrive.

When planting on chalky soils;

• Break up the chalk to a depth of 75cm (30in) so that plant roots can spread out and establish
• Whether bringing in new soil or improving existing soil, add plenty of well-rotted organic matter such as garden compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. , composted 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. or farmyard manure
• Smaller plants get established more quickly than more mature specimens
• 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. plants with organic matter to conserve moisture
• Attention to watering will be required for a longer period than with other soil types as plants on chalky soils may take several seasons to establish and are more prone to drying

(+) Best grown on deep and moisture retentive soils over chalk
(gc) Ground cover plants
(v) variegated

Variegated means having leaves or other plant parts with streaks, blotches or patches of different colours. Typically, these would be a combination of two colours, such as green and gold or green and white. foliage
(e) evergreen foliage
AGM - The 911±¬ÁÏ Award of Garden Merit

Many popular species and cultivars are listed below. If you would prefer to view a full list of suitable plants for chalky and alkaline soils, try the 911±¬ÁÏ Find a Plant .

Trees

Acer campestre : 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 , A. pseudoplatanus
Aesculus × carnea , A. hippocastanum (horse chestnut), A. indica
Arbutus unedo (+)(e): Native to Ireland
Carpinus betulus (common hornbeam): Native to GB and Ireland
Ceanothusarboreus 'Trewithen Blue' AGM (e)
Cercis siliquastrum
Corylus avellana cultivars, C. avellana 'Contorta' AGM: Cultivars of native to GB and Ireland
C. colurna AGM, C. maxima cultivars
Crataegus laevigata (hawthorn): Native to GB and Ireland
Euonymus europaeus (spindle): Native to GB and Ireland
Fagus sylvatica (common beech): Native to GB and Ireland
Fraxinus excelsior , F. ornus (ash)
Ligustrum lucidum AGM (e)
Malus (apple, crab apple): Native to GB and Ireland
Morus nigra (black mulberry)
Prunus (flowering cherries)
Prunus padus : Native to GB and Ireland
Prunus spinosa : Native to GB and Ireland
Pyrus (common pear and ornamental) (+)
Quercus robur (common oak): Native to GB and Ireland
Sorbus aria (whitebeam): Native to GB and Ireland S. intermedia: Native to GB

Conifers

Cedrus including C. atlantica (Atlas cedar), C. deodara AGM (Deodar cedar), C. libani AGM (Cedar of Lebanon) (e)
Chamaecyparis (+) (e)
Ginkgobiloba (+)
Juniperus communis : Native to GB and Ireland and J. × pfitzeriana (e)
Larix decidua , L. kaempferi (+)
Pinus mugo and P. nigra (e)
Taxus baccata (yew) (e): Native to GB and Ireland
Thuja occidentalis (White cedar) , T. plicata (Western red cedar) (e)
Thujopsis dolobrata (e)

Shrubs

Aucuba japonica (e)
Berberis
Brachyglottis DunedinGroup 'Drysdale' , B. Dunedin Group 'Sunshine' AGM, B. monroi ,
B Walberton'sSilverDormouse = 'Walbrach' AGM (e)
Buddleja davidii cultivars, B. fallowiana var. alba AGM, B. globosa AGM, B. lindleyana , B. × weyeriana
Caraganaarborescens
Ceanothus including C. 'Autumnal Blue' AGM, C. 'Dark Star' AGM, C. 'Concha' AGM,
C. 'Pershore Zanzibar' (v), C. 'Puget Blue' AGM, C. thrysiflorus var. repens AGM(e)
Ceratostigma including C. willmottianum Forest Blue = 'Lice' AGM, C. plumbagnoides (gc)
Cistus including C. × argenteus 'Peggy Sammons' , C. creticus , C. × dansereaui 'Decumbens' AGM,
C. laurifolius , C. monspeliensis , C. × pulverulentus ' Sunset' AGM, C. × purpureus (e)
Choisya × dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' AGM, C. ternata AGM, C. ternata Sundance = 'Lich' AGM
Coluteaarborescens
Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' AGM: 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. of native to GB and Ireland
Cornus 'Midwinter Fire' : Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Cytisus
Cornus mas
Cotoneaster
Deutzia
Dipelta floribunda AGM, D. ventricosa
Elaeagnus angustifolia , E. commutata , E. 'Quicksilver'
Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade' AGM: Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Euonymus fortunei cultivars (gc), E. japonicus cultivars (e)
Forsythia 'Fiesta' (v) , F. × intermedia 'Lynwood Variety' AGM, F. suspensa
Fuchsia
Genista lydia
AGM: Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
× Halimiocistus sahucii AGM (gc), × H. wintonensis 'Merrist Wood Cream' AGM (e)
Halimiumcalycinum , H. lasianthum , H. 'Susan' AGM (e)
Hibiscus syriacus ,H. sinosyriacus
Hypericum
Laurus nobilis (+) (e)
Lavandula (e)
Ligustrum japoniucm , L. ovalifolium , L. quihoui (e)
Lonicera nitida , L. pileata (e)
Mahonia aquifolium , M. × media (+) (e)
Olearia (e)
Paeonia delavayi
Potentilla fruticosa : Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Pyracantha including P. coccinea 'Red Column' , P. 'Orange Glow' AGM, P. 'Teton' AGM (e)
Rhusglabra , R. typhina 'Dissecta' AGM (+)
Ribeslaurifolium , R. odoratum , R. sanguineum 'Pulborough Scarlet' , R. speciosum
Romneya coulteri AGM
Rosmarinus officinalis (e)
Rubusbiflorus AGM, R.cockburnianus 'Goldenvale' AGM, R. lineatus , R. spectabilis 'Olympic Double' ,
R. thibetanus 'Silver Fern'
Sambucus nigra : Native to GB and Ireland, S racemosa ' Sutherland Gold'
Santolina chamaecyparissus , S. pinnata subsp.neapolitana AGM. S. rosmarinifolia (e)
Sarcococca confusa AGM, S. hookeriana var. digyna , S. ruscifolia var. chinensis 'Dragon's Gate' AGM (e)
Spartiumjunceum
Spiraea 'Arguta' AGM, S.japonica 'Anthony Waterer' (v), S. japonica 'Goldflame' ,
S. japonica Magic Carpet = 'Walbuma' AGM (v), S. nipponica 'Snowmound' AGM
Syringa (lilac)
Tamarixparviflora AGM, T. ramosissima 'Pink Cascade' AGM, T. tetrandra AGM
Teucrium fruticans , T. × lucidrys (e)
Veronica (e)
Viburnum (most)
Viburnum lantana : Native to GB
Viburnum opulus 'Compactum ' AGM: Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Viburnum opulus 'Xanthocarpum' AGM: Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Vincadifformis , V. major ,
V. minor (gc) (e): Archaeophyte of GB and Ireland
Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea' AGM
Vinca minor 'Bowles' Variety' AGM
Weigela florida , W. middendorfiana , W. praecox
Yucca filamentosa , Y. flaccida (e)

Climbers and wall shrubs

Actinidia kolomikta AGM, A.deliciosa (Kiwi fruit)
Akebia × pentaphylla , A. quinata , A. trifoliata
Clematis
Cotoneaster atropurpureus 'Variegatus' AGM, C. horizontalis
Fremontodendron 'California Glory' AGM (e)
Hedera (ivy) (e)
Hedera helix 'Glacier' AGM : Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Hedera helix 'Goldchild' AGM: Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Jasminum beesianum , J. nudiflorum AGM, J. officinale cultivars (jasmine)
Lonicerapericlymenum (honeysuckle) (+)
Parthenocissus henryana (Chinese Virginia creeper), P. quinquifolia (Virginia creeper),
P. tricuspidata (Boston ivy)
Passiflora caerulea AGM
Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' AGM, S. laxum 'Album' AGM
Trachelospermum asiaticum AGM, T. jasminoides AGM (e)
Vitis (ornamental vines)

Herbaceous perennials

Acanthus mollis , A. spinosus
Achillea
Actaea simplex Atropurpurea Group 'Brunette' AGM
Adenophorabulleyana
Agapanthus
Agastache
Alstroemeria
Anchusa azurea 'Lodden Royalist'
Anemone nemerosa : Native to GB and Ireland
Anemone nemerosa 'Robinsoniana' AGM: Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Anemone hupehensis , A. × hybrida
Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana AGM, A. tinctoria 'E.C. 'Buxton' , A. tinctoria 'Sauce Hollandaise'
Aquilegia
Armeria , including Armeria maritima : Native to GB and Ireland
Artemisiaabsinthium 'Lambrook Silver' , A. arborescens AGM, A. lactiflora Guizhou Group
Aster
Astilbe
Ballota pseudodictamnus AGM (e)
Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby' , B. cilliata , B. 'Morgenrote' AGM, B. 'Overture' (e)
Calendula officinalis (Pot marigold)
Campanula glomerata 'Superba' AGM, C. 'Kent Belle' AGM, C. lactiflora 'Pritchards Variety' AGM
Catanachecaerulea 'Major' AGM
Centaurea , including Centaurea scabiosa : Native to GB and Ireland,and C. nigra : Native to GB and Ireland
Centranthus ruber
Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'
Chelone obliqua
Convallaria majalis (gc)
Coreopsis
Corydalis
Crambe cordifolia AGM
Crocosmia
Cynaracardunculus AGM (cardoon), C. cardunculus Scolymus Group (artichoke)
Cynoglossum
Delphinium
Dianthus , including Dianthus deltoides AGM: Native to GB and Ireland
Dicentra
Digitalis
Doronicum
Echinacea
Echinops
Eremurus
Erigeron
Erodium
Eryngium
Erysimum
Eupatorium
Euphorbia , including Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae AGM: Variety of a native to GB
Gaillardia
Galega
Gaura
Gazania
Geranium , including: Geranium sanguineum: Native to GB and Ireland (plus cultivars)and Geranium pratense: Native to GB and Ireland (plus cultivars)
Geum
Helenium
Helianthus
Helleborus , including Helleborus foetidus AGM: Native to GB
Hemerocallis
Heuchera
Hosta
Inula
Iris , including Iris foetidissima AGM : Native to GB
Knautia , Including: Knautia arvensis : Native to GB and Ireland
Kniphofia
Lavatera
Leucanthemum , including Leucanthemum vulgare : Native to GB and Ireland
Liatris
Limonium
Linum , including: Linum perenne : Native to GB
Lobelia
Lychnis - see Silene
Macleaya
Malva including Malva alcea and Malva moschata f. alba
Marrubium
Mimulus
Monarda
Morina
Nepeta
Oenothera
Origanum , including Origanum vulgare : Native to GB and Ireland (plus cultivars)
Paeonia lactiflora
Papaver
Penstemon
Persicaria
Phlomis
Physalis
Physostegia
Platycodon
Polemonium
Polygonatum
Potentilla , including Potentilla fruticosa: Native to GB and Ireland (plus cultivars)
Pulsatilla , including Pulsatilla vulgaris AGM:Native to GB and Ireland
Pyrethrum
Rudbeckia
Saponaria
Salvia
Scabiosa , including Scabiosa columbaria: Native to GB and Ireland
Sedum
Sidalcea
Silene , Including Silene flos-cuculi : Native to GB and Ireland and Silene dioica ‘Rollie’s Favourite’ : Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Solidago
Thalictrum
Tiarella
Tradescantia
Trollius
Verbascum
Verbena , including Verbena officinalis ‘B²¹³¾±è³Ù´Ç²Ô’ :Cultivar of Archaeophyte to GB and Ireland
Veronica , including: Veronica spicata ‘R´Ç³Ù´Ú³Ü³¦³ó²õ’ : Cultivar of Native to GB and Ireland
Viola , including: Viola odorata 'Wellsiana' AGM: Cultivar of Native to GB and Ireland
Zauschneria