It’s said that the ideal soil for successfully growing many types of plants is free-draining, fertile and moisture-retentive. But not all gardens naturally have optimal soil for most plants.
Many who live in new-build houses find the soil is notoriously poor and compacted. However, others may have very sandy soil with low fertility or thick clay, which bakes hard in summer and becomes waterlogged in winter.
Tackling Poor Soil Conditions
Firslty, one way to solve the issue is to hire a contractor to remove soil to a depth of around 50cm and replace it with quality topsoil. But this approach is time-consuming, expensive and not always successful. Also, it may not work well with sandy or clay-rich soil types.
Alternatively, a more effective method is to work with what you’ve got. You can choose plants that are well-suited to poor soil conditions. Plus, with the right planting, it’s entirely possible to turn a barren plot into a serene and thriving garden oasis.
New Build Soil
It’s estimated that close to 185,000 new houses are built each year in the UK. Many of these gardens have rubble-filled or compacted soil, which can be extremely disheartening when you’re trying to grow plants in such inhospitable ground.
Mediterranean Plants and Hardy Geraniums
Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that cope well in these poor soil conditions.
Mediterranean plants like lavender, rosemary, thyme and oregano are perfect choices for open, sunny parts of the garden. They thrive in free-draining and low-nutrient soils.
Also, hardy geraniums don’t mind if the soil is poor, provided it drains well. Plus, with hundreds of cultivars available, you’re bound to find several that suit your garden style.
‘Anne Thomson’ will spread quickly to fill space. It has deep magenta-coloured petals with black centres and flowers for months through summer and into early autumn.
However, if you prefer a more compact plant, try ‘J.S. Matu Vu’. For a geranium that’s generously covered in blooms, choose ‘Nimbus’, which produces lilac-blue flowers with tiny white centres.
Additionally, psilostemon is one of the tallest geraniums and makes a striking choice for the back of the border. If you need something for a shady area, go for G. phaeum ‘Samobar’. It has dark burgundy flowers and mid-green leaves with distinctive dark maroon markings.
Trees and Shrubs for Poor Soil in New Builds
If you’re looking to plant trees in poor soil, consider:
- Mimosa (Acacia dealbata)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
- Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum)
Also, palms like the Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and cabbage palm (Cordyline australis) are also good options that establish well.
Shrubs that do well in poor, dry soils include:
- Cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
- Hardy salvias
- Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa ‘Primrose Beauty’)
But for larger shrubs, try Abelia x grandiflora. It’s undemanding and produces clusters of sweetly scented pink-white flowers in late summer.
Alternatively, in dry, shady conditions, you could try:
- Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus)
- Pachysandra terminalis – a low-growing, evergreen groundcover
Climbers, Grasses and Wildflowers
Add vertical interest with common jasmine (Jasminum officinale), which produces sweetly scented white flowers, and the hardy passionflower (Passiflora cerulea), a reliable and striking climber.
Ornamental grasses can soften planting and thrive in poor soil. Also, North American switch grass varieties have a distinctive upright form. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ produces pinkish seed heads in summer, and the leaves turn deep red in autumn.
Finally, the giant oat grass (Stipa gigantea) creates tall, airy seed heads during summer. These grasses look especially effective when planted en masse.
If you love wildflowers, try sprinkling a wildflower seed mix in spring. Species like ox-eye daisy do well in poor soil and attract pollinators.
Tip: Planting on slight mounds can reduce the risk of waterlogging. It also helps roots establish more effectively in heavy or compacted ground.
Heavy Clay Soil
Clay soil can be just as tricky as poor, dry soil. It holds water in winter and cracks in summer. However, with the right plants, even heavy clay can become a thriving space.
Shrubs and Perennials for Clay-Rich Ground
Dogwoods grow well in clay soil and bring striking winter interest. Try:
- Cornus alba ‘Baton Rouge’ for red stems
- Cornus sanguinea ‘Anny’s Winter Orange’ for orange hues
Viburnums, such as guelder rose (V. opulus), produce red berries in late summer. Birds love them. Hydrangeas, especially macrophylla types, grow beautifully in clay.
Roses also love clay soil, but they require free-draining conditions. Mix in plenty of well-rotted organic matter and leaf mould. This opens up the soil structure and helps roots breathe.
Flowering Perennials and Border Plants
Several tough herbaceous plants thrive in poor clay soil:
- Daylilies, asters, Japanese anemones and euphorbias
- Bergenia and Alchemilla mollis for the front of borders
- Ajuga for ground cover in shady areas
For late summer colour, Solidago ‘Fireworks’ is a good choice. It produces graceful, arching yellow flowers that line the entire length of the stem.
If you’re after evergreen structure, try Viburnum tinus. It offers white winter flowers in clusters, followed by blue-black berries. Hellebores also do well and now come in a wide range of colours.
Sandy soil drains very quickly. This means it lacks moisture and nutrients, making it difficult for many plants to thrive. Yet with the right approach, you can still grow a wide variety of resilient, beautiful plants.
Plants with Drought-Friendly Features
Look for plants with silver, grey or needle-like foliage. These traits help reduce water loss:
- Lavender, sage, rosemary and many conifers do well in sandy soil
- Their reflective or narrow leaves retain moisture and cope with full sun
Self-Seeders and Shrubs That Suit Sandy Soil
Several self-seeding and woody plants thrive in poor, sandy conditions:
- Verbena bonariensis
- Sea holly (Eryngium), with spiny, structural flowers
- Buddleja, Caryopteris, and Californian lilac (Ceanothus)
These shrubs provide seasonal colour and are low maintenance.
Trees That Grow in Dry, Sandy Soil
If you’d like to plant trees in sandy soil, try:
- Juneberry (Amelanchier)
- Ornamental cherries
- Sorbus cultivars – offering berries and autumn colour
General Points for Growing in Poor Soil
When planting in poor soil, choose smaller plants, such as those in 9cm pots. These are more likely to establish well, adapting to the site as they grow. Adding organic matter can improve conditions. Either dig in well-rotted manure or compost or apply it as a mulch if following a no-dig method.
Mulching helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and protects plant roots from extreme temperature swings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1 – What are the best plants for poor soil in UK gardens?
Mediterranean herbs like lavender, rosemary, thyme and oregano grow well in poor, free-draining soil. Hardy geraniums, ornamental grasses, and many wildflowers also thrive. For trees, try hawthorn, Judas tree or Chusan palm.
2 – How can I improve my garden if the soil is heavy clay or very sandy?
Improve clay soil by adding well-rotted compost and organic matter to aid drainage. For sandy soil, mulching and choosing drought-tolerant plants with silver or needle-like leaves helps retain moisture.
3 – Will anything grow in new-build garden soil?
Yes, many plants grow well in compacted or rubble-filled soil. Hardy perennials like geraniums, cotton lavender, Abelia, and shrubs such as salvias and cinquefoil are ideal for poor soil in new-builds.
4 – What trees grow best in poor soil conditions?
Trees that tolerate poor or compacted soils include birch, hawthorn, mimosa, Judas tree, Italian alder, and ornamental cherries. For sandy soil, try Juneberry or Sorbus species.
5 – What gardening tips help plants thrive in poor soil?
Use smaller plants in 9cm pots, enrich soil with organic mulch or compost, and plant on slight mounds to prevent waterlogging. Choose species naturally suited to poor soil types.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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