In Spring, we are eager to visit our local garden centres to purchase new plants and are often tempted by the displays of seasonal flowering plants and shrubs. However, once planted, many people become disappointed when some of the new plants show signs of distress or die, even though they have been given plenty of 'TLC'. More often than not this is due to the fact that the plants are not suited to their new soil conditions. No two gardens offer exactly the same conditions and this is one of the reasons why gardening is such an individual and challenging hobby.
The soil is the starting point for successful gardening. Your soil type is paramount in dictating which varieties of plants can be grown in the garden. My advice is to get a soil analysis performed on the garden at an early stage in your garden planning. Garden centres stock simple soil testing kits which are very good and cheap to buy, and will prove to be a worthwhile investment.
There are four main types of soil which are as follows:
1. Chalky Soils
These soils are characterised by being well drained, but with a high pH, a particular set of plants has developed to make the most of these conditions.
My Top Ten shrubs for this soil type are:
Buddliea, Caryopteris, Ceanothus, Chaenomeles, Choisya, Hydrangea, Paeonia, Potentilla, Rosmarinus and Syringa.
2. Clay Soils
These tend to be sticky and heavy to work but are usually rich in nutrients. They are slow to warm up in the spring and quick to cool in the autumn. Often they are waterlogged but once dried out in the summer months are then hard as concrete. With the continuous addition of garden compost and other organic matter, over the years these can be some of the most productive and rewarding soils. Very many garden plants will happily flourish on clay, having developed root structures which are designed to cope with Britain's most common soil type.
My Top Ten shrubs are:
Abelia, Cornus, Kerria, Leycesteria, Osmanthus, Philadelphus, Salix, Spiraea, Viburnum and Weigela.
3. Sandy Soil
If properly watered and fertilised these soils can be some of the most productive. Light, sandy soils are quick to warm up in the spring, seldom become waterlogged and are easy to work. The secret to a good sandy soil is never let it become too dry and ensure that good levels of plant food are available.
My Top Ten shrubs for this soil type are:
Amelanchier, Cistus, Convolvulus, Cytisus, Helichrysum, Hibiscus, Lavandula, Perovskia, Tamarix and Yucca.
4. Lime-Free Soil
These soils have a low pH and are often peaty in texture. The most common plants favoured by this soil type are the Rhododendrons and Azaleas, whose extravagant and showy blooms, in the most brilliant colours, adorn their branches in late spring and early summer. We are not fortunate in having this type of soil in East Anglia but can still grow plants that favour this soil in planters containing ericaceous compost or in raised beds.
My Top Ten shrubs are:
Camellia, Cornus canadensis, Ferns, Heathers (most forms), Hamamelis, Magnolia, Pieris, Rhododendron, Azalea, and Skimmia.
Next time you intend to buy any plants remember that the key to successful gardening is to know your own soil!
Linda Munday B.Sc (Hons) NCH (Hort) is an East Anglian based professional garden designer and consultant who studied and gained a Degree in Landscape and Garden Design at Writtle College and has over 20 years experience in the garden design and horticultural industry. Visit her website for more garden design tips and advice Garden Designers Suffolk - http://www.gardendesignerssuffolk.co.uk/
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