Gardening on chalk raises a number of problems for many gardeners. The ground is hungry and lacking in nutrients and has a high PH meaning that acid loving plants won’t grow. Plants have a short root structure and so require more watering with nutrients added to the water rather than using dry feeds. Hydrangeas will always be pink on alkaline rather than blue. To aid the growing of plants apply bulky organic matter such as home made compost, leaf mould, well rotted manure, composted bark and mushroom compost although that is alkaline and should be used sparingly. The soil can be made less alkaline by adding sulphur chips and moisture can be preserved by applying a mulch 2 to 3 inches deep of composted bark. Rhododendrons and azaleas won’t grow on alkaline soil and roses prefer acidic soil and grow better in containers.
There are many plants that do well on chalk especially those with silvery leaves. Recommended shrubs include Artemisia Ludoviciana “Silver Queen”, Berberis Thunbergii “Rose Glow”, Ceanothus “Zanzibar” known as California Lilac, Convolvulus Cneorum with lovely white flowers, Cotoneaster Horizontalis with its small leaves helping to conserve water, Cytisus Praecox (Broom) “Allgold”, Daphne Cneorum “Eximia” which is low growing with a strong scent and should be planted with some shade, Elaeagnus Ebbingei “Gilt Edge” which is variegated and has a winter scent, Erica Carnea “Ann Sparkes” which flowers in winter and needs moisture, Euonymus Fortunei “Sunshine” with waxy leaves, Hebe Pinguifolia “Pagei” which is good ground cover, the scented Viburnum Bodnantense with winter flowers, Weigela Florida Variegata. Recommended perennials include Dianthus “Debbie’s Pink”, Echinacea (Coneflowers) which attract bees and butterflies, Eryngium Oliverianum (Sea Holly) which makes nice dried flowers, Euphorbia Characias Wulfenii the sap of which can be an irritant, Geranium Himalayense Plenum long flowering with double flowers, Sedums now known as Hylotelephium which are good in dry soil, Knifophia “Little Maid” which is short and does well in dry soil, Herbs such as Origanum and Thyme, Paeonia “Shirley Temple” which must be well watered in the first year, Scabiosa “Butterfly Blue”. Other plants include Clematis “Niobe” with red flowers and good for a sunny spot, Honeysuckles which are best in shady spots, Passiflora Caerulea “Constance Elliot” with white flowers. Amongst the bulbs that do well on chalk are Allium Christophii, Crocosmia “Lucifer”, Galanthus (Snowdrops) and Narcissus. Beech trees also do well on chalk.
Gardening on chalk raises a number of problems for many gardeners. The ground is hungry and lacking in nutrients and has a high PH meaning that acid loving plants won’t grow. Plants have a short root structure and so require more watering with nutrients added to the water rather than using dry feeds. Hydrangeas will always be pink on alkaline rather than blue. To aid the growing of plants apply bulky organic matter such as home made compost, leaf mould, well rotted manure, composted bark and mushroom compost although that is alkaline and should be used sparingly. The soil can be made less alkaline by adding sulphur chips and moisture can be preserved by applying a mulch 2 to 3 inches deep of composted bark. Rhododendrons and azaleas won’t grow on alkaline soil and roses prefer acidic soil and grow better in containers.
There are many plants that do well on chalk especially those with silvery leaves. Recommended shrubs include Artemisia Ludoviciana “Silver Queen”, Berberis Thunbergii “Rose Glow”, Ceanothus “Zanzibar” known as California Lilac, Convolvulus Cneorum with lovely white flowers, Cotoneaster Horizontalis with its small leaves helping to conserve water, Cytisus Praecox (Broom) “Allgold”, Daphne Cneorum “Eximia” which is low growing with a strong scent and should be planted with some shade, Elaeagnus Ebbingei “Gilt Edge” which is variegated and has a winter scent, Erica Carnea “Ann Sparkes” which flowers in winter and needs moisture, Euonymus Fortunei “Sunshine” with waxy leaves, Hebe Pinguifolia “Pagei” which is good ground cover, the scented Viburnum Bodnantense with winter flowers, Weigela Florida Variegata. Recommended perennials include Dianthus “Debbie’s Pink”, Echinacea (Coneflowers) which attract bees and butterflies, Eryngium Oliverianum (Sea Holly) which makes nice dried flowers, Euphorbia Characias Wulfenii the sap of which can be an irritant, Geranium Himalayense Plenum long flowering with double flowers, Sedums now known as Hylotelephium which are good in dry soil, Knifophia “Little Maid” which is short and does well in dry soil, Herbs such as Origanum and Thyme, Paeonia “Shirley Temple” which must be well watered in the first year, Scabiosa “Butterfly Blue”. Other plants include Clematis “Niobe” with red flowers and good for a sunny spot, Honeysuckles which are best in shady spots, Passiflora Caerulea “Constance Elliot” with white flowers. Amongst the bulbs that do well on chalk are Allium Christophii, Crocosmia “Lucifer”, Galanthus (Snowdrops) and Narcissus. Beech trees also do well on chalk.
If adding micronutrients to the soil the following will help potash, manganese, iron and nitrogen with Vitax Q4 and Flower Power recommended.
